Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Service Flagged Off!
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off South India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai. Check schedule and fares.
In a major boost to long-distance travel, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially flagged off the inaugural Bengaluru Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper service on November 1, 2026. This landmark service connects SMVT Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai, marking the arrival of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper in South India and only the third such service in the entire country.
Connecting South and West India Faster
The new service is designed to provide a premium overnight travel experience, covering a distance of approximately 1,118 kilometers. The journey is expected to take between 15 hours and 50 minutes to 16 hours, offering a much faster alternative to existing sleeper trains. The train will operate six days a week, with specific exceptions: it will not run from Bengaluru on Mondays and will not depart from Mumbai on Tuesdays.
Detailed Train Schedule
Passengers can plan their journeys based on the following timings:
- From SMVT Bengaluru to CSMT Mumbai: Departs at 7:45 PM and arrives at 11:55 AM the following day.
- From CSMT Mumbai to SMVT Bengaluru: Departs at 8:10 PM and arrives at 12:00 PM the following day.
Commercial operations are scheduled to commence on November 2 for the Mumbai to Bengaluru route, while the return service from Bengaluru will begin on November 3.
Route and Intermediate Stops
The Vande Bharat Sleeper will provide connectivity to several key stations along the route. The eight intermediate stops are:
- Anantapur
- Guntakal
- Raichur
- Yadgir
- Kalaburagi
- Solapur
- Pune
- Kalyan
Coach Capacity and Fare Structure
The train consists of 16 modern coaches, providing a total capacity of 823 berths to ensure comfort for a large number of passengers. The seating and sleeping arrangements are divided into three categories:
- AC First Class: 24 berths priced at ₹4,450.
- AC 2-Tier: 188 berths priced at ₹3,630.
- AC 3-Tier: 611 berths priced at ₹2,810.
Future Expansion in Karnataka
The introduction of this service is just the beginning of enhanced connectivity for the region. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced plans for a second Vande Bharat Sleeper service specifically for Karnataka. This proposed route is expected to originate in Bengaluru, travel through North Karnataka via Hubballi, and proceed toward Pune and Mumbai, further strengthening the rail network in the state.