Vande Bharat Express is a semi-high-speed rail service developed indigenously in India that covers short-distance inter-city travel. The operating speed of these trains varies between 110–130 km/h to 160 km/h. The design and specifications of the Vande Bharat Express were set by the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO).
These rails are manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at a cost of ₹115 crore for a 16-coach train. Find out more about the Vande Bharat Express, their speed, ticket price, and route list here.
About Vande Bharat Express
The Vande Bharat Express, earlier called Train 18, commenced service on 15 February 2019. As of 2023, the trains operate on 18 routes, and many other routes are being developed simultaneously. The Vande Bharat Trains are operated by the Indian Railways and make for the second-fasted railways in the country.
Vande Bharat Train |
Service | Short-distance, semi-high-speed, inter-city train |
Started | 15 February 2019 |
Speed | 160 km/h |
Vande Bharat Train Routes | 18 (operational); 2 (to be commissioned) |
Seating | Airline style seating |
Vande Bharat Express Route List
The Vande Bharat Train Route covers places like New Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Howrah, Patna, Vishakhapatnam, etc. Check out the complete list of Vande Bharat Express routes in India from the table below.
# | Train Name | Travel Time | Distance | Speed | Inauguration |
Max. | Avg. |
1 | New Delhi - Varanasi Vande Bharat Express | 08h 00m | 759 km | 130 km/h | 95 km/h | 15 February 2019 |
2 | New Delhi - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express | 08h 00m | 655 km | 130 km/h | 82 km/h | 3 October 2019 |
3 | Mumbai Central - Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express | 06h 25m | 522 km | 130 km/h | 82 km/h | 30 September 2022 |
4 | New Delhi - Amb Andaura Vande Bharat Express | 05h 15m | 412 km | 130 km/h | 78 km/h | 13 October 2022 |
5 | MGR Chennai Central - Mysuru Vande Bharat Express | 06h 30m | 496 km | 130 km/h | 79 km/h | 11 November 2022 |
6 | Bilaspur - Nagpur Vande Bharat Express | 05h 30m | 412 km | 130 km/h | 75 km/h | 11 December 2022 |
7 | Howrah - New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express | 07h 30m | 565 km | 130 km/h | 75 km/h | 30 December 2022 |
8 | Visakhapatnam - Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express | 08h 30m | 698 km | 130 km/h | 82 km/h | 15 January 2023 |
9 | Mumbai CSMT - Solapur Vande Bharat Express | 06h 30m | 452 km | 110 km/h | 70 km/h | 10 February 2023 |
10 | Mumbai CSMT - Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express | 05h 20m | 339 km | 110 km/h | 64 km/h | 10 February 2023 |
11 | Rani Kamalapati (Habibganj) - Hazrat Nizamuddin Vande Bharat Express | 07h 30m | 702 km | 160 km/h | 94 km/h | 1 April 2023 |
12 | Secunderabad - Tirupati Vande Bharat Express | 08h 15m | 661 km | 130 km/h | 80 km/h | 8 April 2023 |
13 | MGR Chennai Central - Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express | 05h 50m | 495 km | 130 km/h | 85 km/h | 8 April 2023 |
14 | Delhi Cantonment - Ajmer Vande Bharat Express | 05h 15m | 428 km | 110 km/h | 82 km/h | 12 April 2023 |
15 | Kasaragod - Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express | 08h 05m | 587 km | 110 km/h | 73 km/h | 25 April 2023 |
16 | Howrah - Puri Vande Bharat Express | 06h 25m | 500 km | 130 km/h | 78 km/h | 18 May 2023 |
17 | Anand Vihar Terminal - Dehradun Vande Bharat Express | 04h 45m | 304 km | 130 km/h | 64 km/h | 25 May 2023 |
18 | New Jalpaiguri - Guwahati Vande Bharat Express | 05h 30m | 407 km | 110 km/h | 74 km/h | 29 May 2023 |
19 | Mumbai CSMT - Madgaon Vande Bharat Express | 07h 50m | 586 km | 120 km/h | 75 km/h | 27 June 2023 |
20 | Patna - Ranchi Vande Bharat Express | 06h | 380 km | 110 km/h | 63 km/h | 27 June 2023 |
20 | Chennai - Trichy Vande Bharat Express | 7h50m | 652 km | 130 km/h | 83.30 km/h | September 24 2023 |
Vande Bharat Express Ticket Price
The Vande Bharat Train was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, India, to provide a modern travel experience for passengers. The ticket price for this train varies based on location and classes. Here is how much the average Vande Bharat Express ticket costs.
- The total fare for an Adult traveling in Economy Class is ₹1,052 for General and ₹1,262 for a Tatkal ticket.
- The total fare for an Adult traveling in Premium Class is ₹1,869 for General and ₹2,299 for a Tatkal ticket.
Note that this is the average Vande Bharat Train ticket price. The actual fare will differ based on the chosen location of the passenger and the number of adults/children traveling.
How do Vande Bharat Trains Work?
The Vande Bharat Express Trains have bullet train-like sleek coaches and are built with lightweight stainless steel. Equipped with various amenities like automatic doors, bio-toilets, Wi-Fi, and CCTV cameras, these trains have all the elements of a modern train. Here is some more information about how Vande Bharat Trains work.
Speed of Vande Bharat Express
- Vande Bharat Train is a semi-high-speed rail that operates at a maximum speed of 180 km/h.
- The train offers a faster and more comfortable journey compared to conventional trains.
- The Vande Bharat Express Trains reduce travel time between inter-city destinations.
Amenities in Vande Bharat Train
- The Vande Bharat Express Trains focus on providing a comfortable journey for passengers.
- The train resembles the Shatabdi Express in terms of amenities and service.
- The trains feature plush airplane-like seating, adjustable headrests, and ample legroom.
- Each carriage of the Vande Bharat Train has many large windows that offer panoramic views of the surroundings.
Security in Vande Bharat Express Trains
- The Vande Bharat Express prioritizes passenger safety and security and is equipped with fire detection systems.
- CCTV cameras are also installed inside and outside the train coaches to monitor activities.
- The Vande Bharat Train also has emergency talk-back systems and a passenger information display system for timely communication with passengers.
FAQs on Vande Bharat Express Train
Q1. What is Vande Bharat Express?
Vande Bharat Express is a high-speed rail that operates on the Indian Railways. Developed indigenously in India by the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO), the Vande Bharat Express is the second-fastest train in India.
Q2. What are all the Vande Bharat Express routes?
As of 2023, Vande Bharat Express operates on 18 routes, including New Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Express, Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express, Bilaspur–Nagpur Vande Bharat Express, Mumbai CSMT–Solapur Vande Bharat Express, etc.
Q3. When will Vande Bharat Express start?
Vande Bharat Express is already operational on many parts of Indian Railways. The train service first commenced on 15 February 2019. As of now, the Vande Bharat Trains are operating on 18 routes in the country, and 2 routes are under commission.
Q4. Which is the first Vande Bharat Express route?
The New Delhi–Varanasi route was the first Vande Bharat Express Route. This route covers New Delhi, Kanpur, Allahabad, and Varanasi, and the service on this Vande Bharat Express route commenced on February 15, 2019.
Q5. How many Vande Bharat Express Trains run in India?
A total of 18 Vande Bharat Express Trains run in India. Earlier, these trains were known as Train 18 but were renamed later. Some of the routes on which the Vande Bharat Trains run are New Delhi–Varanasi, Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital, Bilaspur–Nagpur, etc.
Q6. What is the ticket price of Vande Bharat Express?
The ticket price of Vande Bharat Express ranges between ₹1,052 for General and ₹1,262 for a Tatkal ticket in Economy Class (CC Chair) and ₹1,869 for General and ₹2,299 for a Tatkal ticket in Premium Class (Executive Chair).
Q7. What is Vande Bharat Express speed?
The speed of Vande Bharat Express can range from 110–130 km/h to 160 km/h. These trains are called semi-high-speed trains. Vande Bharat Trains are still the second-fastest trains in India, behind the Gatiman Express.
Q8. Who owns the Vande Bharat Express?
The Indian Railways owns and operates the Vande Bharat Express. The government’s 'Make in India' initiative funds the Vande Bharat Trains. Currently, the trains operate on 18 routes in the country and are expected to operate on two more.