Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat Express Starts: New Connectivity Boost
The Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat Express has officially commenced its operations, marking a significant upgrade in interstate rail connectivity between Gujarat and Rajasthan. The inaugural special service was flagged off at the Surat Railway Station on October 2, 2026, by Gujarat's Water Resources Minister C.R. Patil, signaling a new era of high-speed travel for the region.
The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Member of Parliament Mukesh Dalal, MLAs Sangeeta Patil, Pravinbhai Ghoghari, and Kantibhai Balar, as well as Surat Mayor Mayaben Mavani. Senior railway officials, including Pankaj Singh, Divisional Railway Manager of the Mumbai Central Division, were also present to witness the launch of this Western Railway-operated service.
Inaugural Run and Regular Timings
For its special inaugural run, Train No. 09103 departed from Surat at 10:00 AM and reached Udaipur City by 5:40 PM. Following this successful launch, regular commercial services will begin on the following schedule:
- Udaipur to Surat (Train No. 26904): Regular services start on October 3, 2026. The train will depart Udaipur at 3:35 PM and arrive in Surat at 11:00 PM.
- Surat to Udaipur (Train No. 26903): Regular services start on October 4, 2026. The train will depart Surat at 6:10 AM and arrive in Udaipur at 1:40 PM.
Passengers should note that the train will operate six days a week, with no services scheduled on Tuesdays.
Route Details and Intermediate Stops
Spanning a distance of approximately 690 km, the journey is designed to be swift, taking roughly 7 hours and 30 minutes. The Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat Express will make nine intermediate stops to serve various key locations:
- Bharuch
- Vadodara
- Anand
- Maninagar
- Asarva
- Himmatnagar
- Shamlaji Road
- Dungarpur
- Zawar
Modern Amenities and Speed
The new service features an eight-coach configuration, offering both Executive Chair Car and AC Chair Car accommodations to cater to different passenger preferences. Engineered for efficiency, the train is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 160 kmph, significantly reducing travel time compared to previous options.
This new service replaces the previously operating Udaipur City-Asarva Vande Bharat Express, which was discontinued effective October 2, 2026. The launch has been strategically timed to coincide with the upcoming Navratri festival, which begins on October 11, providing travelers with enhanced mobility during the festive season.
Booking Information
Travel bookings for the service opened on October 1, 2026, and are available through IRCTC and PRS counters. Passengers are reminded to carry original ID proof for their journey.