Vande Bharat Train Routes, Speed, Booking, Fare, and Features Explained

Vande Bharat Train: Discover India’s First Semi-High-Speed Express, Its Routes, Speed, Fares, and Modern Onboard Features
October 23, 2025
Vande Bharat Train Routes, Speed, Booking, Fare, and Features Explained

Vande Bharat Train Introduction (India’s First Semi-High-Speed Train)

One of the most recent exciting developments in the Indian Railways in recent years is the Train 18, which is also called the Vande Bharat Train. It has rapidly turned into the representation of a bright, present-day, autonomous India, providing the passengers with a world-class travel experience throughout the country.

It is a giant improvement in train technology, where speed, comfort, and safety have come together in a manner that has not been witnessed on our tracks before. In case you are intending on your next trip, this is a simple guide of why you should be thinking about the Vande Bharat Express and what is so special about it.

What is the Vande Bharat Express? (First Semi-High Speed Train in India)

The Vande Bharat Train is a semi-high-speed Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train. It is fully designed and produced in India under the government agenda of Make in India, and mainly by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.

This is enormous to the manufacturing capacity of our country in the railway department. It is a train designed to reduce on the time of travelling, giving an alternative and efficient option to the normal express trains such as Shatabdi.

Important Attributes That Cause Vande Bharat to be Unique

The Vande Bharat Express is a complete game changer, as it is equipped with as much features as the customers need to be comfortable and safe.

  • Greater Acceleration and Deceleration: It accelerates and decelerates rapidly as a self-propelled engine-less engine-train-set, which saves on the total amount of time spent in travelling.
  • Automatic Doors: Coaches are provided with automatic doors in and out and in-between, which provides a safe and dustless atmosphere.
  • Boundless Interiors: The coaches are equipped with diffused lighting with LED, extra wide windows, and the type of luggage racks found in an aircraft.
  • Executive Class Comfort: Executive Class coaches have rotating seating where the passengers can be able to face each other.
  • Onboard Amenities: Passengers have Wi-Fi, infotainment systems, clean bio-vacuum toilets, and state-of-the-art pantries with hot food.
  • Improved Safety: New models are equipped with the native anti-collision system, KAVACH, which provides an additional important level of safety.

Vande Bharat Train Speed

The train is designed with a top speed of 180 km/h. Currently, the maximum speed of operation is 160 km/h on certain sections. The average speed varies with the condition of the track and the course of the traffic; nevertheless, it remains 25-45 per cent lower than the average on most conventional trains, which shortens the time of travel considerably.

Vande Bharat Train Route Across India

The Vande Bharat Express network is spread very fast throughout the nation, linking state capitals and major cities. It operates primarily medium and long-haul routes, which are usually below 800 km.

Additional routes are also introduced as production increases, and this increases connectivity between regions. Connecting major centres like New Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Chennai and Mysuru among others, it connects key centres.

Route (Start – End)

Travel Time (Approx.)

Chair Car (CC) Fare (₹)

Executive Class (EC) Fare (₹)

New Delhi – Varanasi

8 hours

1,760 – 1,805

3,310 – 3,355

Mumbai Central - Gandhinagar Capital

6 h 25 m

1,200 – 1,385

2,295 – 2,505

Chennai Central – Mysuru

6 h 30 m

895 – 995

1,625 – 1,885

Howrah – New Jalpaiguri

7 h 30 m

1,565

2,815

The tickets are estimated and can vary depending on the dates of travel and the type of service. They consist of catering costs.

Vande Bharat Train Booking Process (Step-by-Step Guide)

Upon a trip to the Vande Bharat Express, reservation is done according to the Indian Railways process. The bookings can be done online or offline, but online booking is the most convenient when a train is of high demand.

Online Booking Process

The IRCTC site or mobile app should be used.

  1. Formal IRCTC Site: The IRCTC site or mobile app should be used.
  2. Login: You need to take a login using your IRCTC account.
  3. Enter Details: Choose the station you are leaving, you are leaving and going to, and the Date of Journey.
  4. Select Train: Select the results of the search to get the Vande Bharat Express.
  5. Select Class & Seats: Select Chair Car (CC) or Executive Class (EC) and tick the availability.
  6. Payment: Finalize the payment. Check the cater service; the food prices are usually part of the price, but can be disabled.
  7. E-Ticket: Your e-ticket will be created. The tickets can be booked as far as 120 days in advance.

Future of Indian Railways — Vande Bharat Sleeper & 4.0 Trains

The next generation of this indigenous train is already being developed at the Indian Railways.

  • Vande Bharat Sleeper: A long-distance overnight service also with comfortable sleeper seats. As an alternative to traditional Rajdhani Express trains, it is designed, which has a premium and can cover its journeys faster (more than 700 km).
  • Vande Bharat 4.0: A future offering which is to achieve better energy efficiency, increased safety, and improved passenger comfort with the idea of establishing high standard in high-speed rail globally.

The Vande Bharat Train is the beginning of a new era in the history of Indian trains which would be faster and comfortable. It is a national boast and hope of inter-connectivity to the contemporary India.