Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper to Launch Oct 31!
Indian Railways to launch the Vande Bharat Sleeper between New Delhi and Varanasi on Oct 31, 2026, featuring premium luxury and Kavach safety.
The wait for a premium overnight travel experience between the national capital and the spiritual heart of India is nearly over. Indian Railways is set to inaugurate the highly anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper Express service connecting New Delhi and Varanasi on October 31, 2026.
The grand launch ceremony will be jointly conducted by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, marking a significant milestone in the nation's high-speed rail network.
Route, Stops, and Weekly Schedule
This high-speed service is designed to provide rapid connectivity, with the journey expected to take between 8 and 9.2 hours. The train will feature scheduled stops at Prayagraj Junction and Kanpur Central, with the potential inclusion of Aligarh currently under consideration by authorities.
The service is scheduled to operate six days a week, following a specific departure pattern:
- Train No. 27421 (Varanasi to New Delhi): Departs Varanasi at 8:50 PM, stops at Prayagraj at 10:35 PM and Kanpur Central at 12:40 AM, arriving in New Delhi at 5:55 AM.
- Train No. 27422 (New Delhi to Varanasi): Departs New Delhi at 9:40 PM, reaches Prayagraj at 4:45 AM, and arrives in Varanasi at 6:45 AM.
Note: The service will bypass Friday departures from New Delhi and Saturday departures from Varanasi.
Luxury Amenities and Coach Configuration
The Vande Bharat Sleeper will consist of 16 air-conditioned coaches, offering a total capacity of approximately 823 to 825 berths. The coach distribution is as follows:
- One First AC coach
- Four Second AC coaches
- Eleven Third AC coaches
Passengers can enjoy a suite of premium amenities, including soundproofed cabins, automated sensor-driven plug doors, and touchless bio-vacuum toilets. The sleeping areas are equipped with high-quality leatherette sleeping surfaces for enhanced comfort. Additionally, First AC passengers will have access to an exclusive hot-water shower cubicle.
Safety, Booking, and Fare Details
Safety is a top priority for this service, as the entire train is integrated with the Kavach 4.0 Automatic Train Protection system. To ensure a seamless travel experience, the Railways has mandated a strict 'Zero-Waitlist' and 'Zero-RAC' policy for this service.
Reservations can be made through IRCTC and railway counters under a 60-day Advance Reservation Period. Fares for the service are expected to range from ₹2.40 to ₹3.80 per kilometer, depending on the class of travel. Tatkal booking options will also be available for 2A and 3A classes one day prior to the scheduled departure.
While the current Delhi-Varanasi service is launching with a 16-coach configuration, the broader Vande Bharat program continues to expand. This includes a recent ₹839 crore order placed with Wabtec to provide systems that will support future 24-coach sleeper train variants.