Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Starts Regular Service
India's second Vande Bharat Sleeper Express begins regular service between Varanasi and New Delhi on November 2, 2026. Check the schedule and fares.
India is set to witness a major upgrade in long-distance travel as the country's second Vande Bharat Sleeper Express prepares to begin its regular commercial operations. Following its official inauguration on October 31, 2026, by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Varanasi, the high-speed train is scheduled to start its daily service on Monday, November 2, 2026.
Managed by the Northern Railway, this new sleeper service aims to provide a premium and efficient connection between the holy city of Varanasi and the national capital, New Delhi.
Timings and Weekly Schedule
The Vande Bharat Sleeper will operate six days a week, offering a convenient overnight travel option for commuters. The scheduled timings are as follows:
- Varanasi to New Delhi: Departs Varanasi at 8:50 PM and arrives in New Delhi at 6:10 AM the following morning.
- New Delhi to Varanasi: Departs New Delhi at 9:40 PM.
Passengers should take note of the specific days when the service will not be available: there will be no service from Varanasi to New Delhi on Fridays, and no return service from New Delhi to Varanasi on Saturdays.
Coach Configuration and Passenger Capacity
The train is designed to offer high-end comfort for a large number of travelers. It consists of 16 fully air-conditioned coaches with a total capacity of 823 passengers. The coach breakdown includes:
- First AC: 1 coach
- Second AC: 4 coaches
- Third AC: 11 coaches
While the train is technically capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 kmph, it will operate at a steady speed between 130 kmph and 160 kmph during its regular runs.
Key Stops and Route Details
To cater to major urban hubs, the train will make scheduled stops at several important stations in both directions. The intermediate stops include:
- Prayagraj
- Kanpur Central
- Aligarh
- Ghaziabad
Ticket Fares and Pricing
The new service offers various pricing tiers depending on the class of travel. For the complete journey between Varanasi and New Delhi, the approximate fares are:
- Third AC: ₹1,915
- Second AC: ₹2,470
- First AC: ₹3,030
For travelers boarding from major intermediate points such as Prayagraj, Third AC fares are expected to start at approximately ₹1,600.