Vande Bharat Sleeper: Varanasi to New Delhi Service Starts!
The new Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is now operational, offering faster, premium overnight travel with advanced Kavach safety.
A new era of premium rail connectivity has arrived for the spiritual capital of India. On October 31, 2026, the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express was officially inaugurated at the Banaras Railway Station. The landmark event was led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
Faster Travel Between Kashi and the Capital
The newly launched Vande Bharat Sleeper (27421/27422) is designed to significantly cut down travel time for commuters. Compared to the existing Shiv Ganga Express, this new service reduces travel time by 55 minutes for passengers departing from Varanasi and 35 minutes for those traveling from New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the launch as a "historic day" for the connectivity between Kashi and Delhi, noting that the service will provide immense benefits to pilgrims, students, and business travelers alike.
Train Schedule and Route Details
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is scheduled to operate six days a week. To ensure smooth operations, the service will not run on Fridays from Varanasi and will not depart from New Delhi on Saturdays.
Timings:
- From Varanasi: Departs at 8:50 PM and arrives in New Delhi at 6:10 AM.
- From New Delhi: Departs at 9:40 PM and arrives in Varanasi at 7:10 AM.
Key Stoppages:
The train will provide essential connectivity at several major stations, including:
- Prayagraj
- Kanpur Central
- Aligarh
- Ghaziabad
Premium Amenities and Advanced Safety
The 16-coach train is built for comfort and safety, featuring a total of 823 berths distributed as follows:
- First AC: 24 berths
- AC 2-Tier: 188 berths
- AC 3-Tier: 611 berths
Beyond comfort, the train is equipped with the advanced Kavach safety technology to prevent accidents. Passengers can also enjoy modern amenities such as sensor-based bio-toilets and an enhanced suspension system for a smoother, quieter journey.
Additional Rail Services Launched
The inauguration at Banaras Railway Station was not limited to the Vande Bharat Sleeper. Two other important rail services were also flagged off to improve regional connectivity:
- A new connection between Varanasi City and Raja Talab.
- A service connecting Prayagraj Rambag and Banaras.