Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper Launching Oct 31
Experience premium overnight travel with the new Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper launching Oct 31, 2026. Faster journeys and 16 AC coaches await.
Indian Railways is set to revolutionize overnight travel between the national capital and the spiritual heart of Uttar Pradesh. The highly anticipated Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper is scheduled to begin its service on October 31, 2026, providing a premium travel experience just in time for the Diwali festivities.
Faster Travel and Premium Comfort
This new service marks the country's second Vande Bharat Sleeper rollout and is designed to be a much faster alternative to the existing Rajdhani Express. While the Rajdhani currently takes about 12 hours to complete the trip, the new Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to cover the distance in approximately 9.2 hours.
The train will consist of 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, meticulously designed to accommodate 823 passengers. The coach configuration includes:
- 1 First AC coach
- 4 Second AC coaches
- 11 Third AC coaches
To ensure a hassle-free experience for commuters, the railway will implement a strict 'Zero-Waitlist' and 'Zero-RAC' policy for this service.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are expected to preside over the official launch ceremony.
Detailed Schedule and Route Information
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is slated to operate six days a week. The proposed operational timings and halts are as follows:
New Delhi to Varanasi (Train No. 27422)
- Departure from New Delhi: 9:40 PM
- Arrival at Varanasi: 6:45 AM
- Scheduled Halt: Prayagraj Junction at 4:45 AM
Varanasi to New Delhi (Train No. 27421)
- Departure from Varanasi: 8:50 PM
- Arrival at New Delhi: 5:55 AM
- Scheduled Halts: Prayagraj Junction at 10:35 PM and Kanpur Central at 12:40 AM
Booking Dates and Estimated Fares
Passengers looking to book their journey can start making reservations through the IRCTC portal and at railway counters beginning October 27, 2026.
While the official fare structure is awaiting final confirmation from Indian Railways, preliminary estimates suggest a base fare of approximately ₹2,400. Depending on the travel class selected, the per-kilometer rate is expected to range between ₹2.40 and ₹3.80.