Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Starts Nov 1!
Commuters traveling between the Silicon Valley of India and the Financial Capital are in for a massive treat. The South Western Railway (SWR) has announced that the much-awaited Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper service will be inaugurated on November 1, 2026.
A Gift for Karnataka Rajyotsava
To mark the auspicious occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is expected to flag off the inaugural run. While the ceremonial launch is set for November 1, the train will begin its regular commercial operations from November 2, 2026.
Faster Travel, Better Comfort
This new service is set to revolutionize the 1,118 km journey between Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT)/KSR Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Passengers can expect to complete the trip in approximately 16 hours, which is a significant reduction of six to eight hours compared to existing options.
Coach Details and Seating Capacity
Designed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the train will feature 16 advanced coaches equipped with a total of 823 berths:
- 11 AC Three-Tier Coaches: 611 berths
- 4 AC Two-Tier Coaches: 188 berths
- 1 AC First-Class Coach: 24 berths
Timings and Weekly Schedule
The train is scheduled to operate six days a week. To maintain the schedule, Monday will be a non-operational day for the Bengaluru to Mumbai leg, while Tuesday will be the off-day for the return journey from Mumbai.
Proposed Timetable
- Bengaluru to Mumbai: Departs at 10:00 PM; Arrives at 1:50 PM the next day.
- Mumbai to Bengaluru: Departs at 10:30 PM; Arrives at 2:50 AM.
Route and Major Stoppages
The Vande Bharat Sleeper will provide strategic connectivity with stops at the following stations:
- Dharmavaram
- Anantapur
- Guntakal
- Raichur
- Wadi
- Kalaburagi
- Solapur (Technical Stop)
- Pune (Technical Stop)
- Kalyan
Expected Fare
While the official fare structure is yet to be formally notified, industry estimates suggest that tickets may range between ₹2,600 and ₹4,250.