New Delhi: Indian Railways is all set to introduce the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, promising passengers a unique travel experience. The key highlight of this train is that there will be no Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) facility—passengers will either get a confirmed ticket or none at all. The train will be slightly more expensive than existing premium services like the Rajdhani Express.
The inaugural service will run on the Guwahati–Howrah route and is scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is expected to reduce travel time by up to three hours compared to conventional express trains.
Fare Structure
According to a circular issued by the Railway Board on 9 January, the minimum chargeable distance will be 400 km, and only confirmed tickets will be issued. There will be no RAC, waitlisted, or partially confirmed tickets. All berths will be available from the start of the advance reservation period (ARP).
For context, RAC tickets allow two passengers to share a side lower berth in case of non-confirmation, and waitlisted tickets are automatically canceled if not confirmed.
The fare structure for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is as follows:
| Distance | 3AC (₹/km) | 2AC (₹/km) | 1AC (₹/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–400 km | 960 | 1,240 | 1,520 |
| 1,000 km | 2,400 | 3,100 | 3,800 |
| 2,000 km | 4,800 | 6,200 | 7,600 |
| 3,000 km | 7,200 | 9,300 | 11,400 |
Fares will include additional GST. Like other premium trains, there will be quotas for women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwD), and railway staff.
Passengers traveling in 3AC, 2AC, and 1AC classes will be charged ₹2.4, ₹3.1, and ₹3.8 per km, respectively. For example, on the launch route between Howrah and Guwahati (~1,000 km), the fare will be ₹2,400 for 3AC, ₹3,100 for 2AC, and ₹3,800 for 1AC.
Compared to existing premium trains, these fares are slightly higher. For reference, the Rajdhani Express between Delhi and Mumbai charges ₹2.10/km (3AC), ₹2.85/km (2AC), and ₹3.53/km (1AC), while the Saraighat Express on the Howrah–Guwahati route charges ₹1,410 (3AC), ₹1,985 (2AC), and ₹3,320 (1AC).
Route Details
The semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Sleeper Express aims to set a new standard in comfort, safety, and travel experience, similar to the legacy of Rajdhani Express trains. The inaugural train will pass through seven districts of West Bengal—Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar—and two districts in Assam—Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon, with a total of 10 stops. These will be overnight journeys, departing late in the evening and reaching the destination the following morning.
Speed and Coach Composition
The train will consist of 16 coaches: 11 in 3AC, 4 in 2AC, and 1 in 1AC. While capable of 180 km/h, for safety reasons, it will operate at 130 km/h. In comparison, Rajdhani Express trains run at an average speed of 80–90 km/h.
Other notable features include:
- Ergonomically designed, cushioned berths for enhanced comfort
- Automatic doors and vestibules for smooth movement
- Advanced suspension for a quiet and comfortable ride
- Kavach (train protection system) and emergency talk-back system
- Advanced sterilization and hygiene maintenance
- Aerodynamic exterior design and automatic passenger doors
- State-of-the-art driver cabin with advanced controls
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express promises a faster, safer, and more comfortable travel experience, setting a new benchmark for overnight train journeys in India.
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