Bengaluru and Mumbai are expected to get a Vande Bharat sleeper train, with several reports pointing to a launch on 1 November, Karnataka Rajyotsava day. Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna shared an update about the service on social media this week, but as of 22 October the Railway Ministry had not officially confirmed the launch date, timetable or fares. The route covers about 1,118 km, and the train is expected to take roughly 16 hours, several hours quicker than the direct trains on the corridor today.

Why it matters

Quick answer: The Bengaluru to Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper is reported to start on 1 November, running from SMVT Bengaluru to CSMT Mumbai. Departure is expected at 7:50 pm, arriving 11:55 am next day, about 16 hours. Not officially confirmed.

Bengaluru to Mumbai is one of the busiest work and family travel corridors in the country. Most travellers now choose between a short but often pricey flight and an overnight train journey of more than 20 hours. A train that leaves in the evening and arrives the next day around midday would let people travel without losing a full working day, and without paying peak airfares during the festival season.

Reports say the train has 16 air conditioned coaches with 823 berths across AC three tier, AC two tier and first class. Expected halts include Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Guntakal and Anantapur. Vande Bharat sleeper services are reported to have no RAC tickets, so a booking is either confirmed or waitlisted.

What to watch

  • The official timetable. Published reports give different departure and arrival times, and Indian Railways had not issued a formal schedule as of 21 October, according to Time Out Mumbai.
  • Fares. Estimates are circulating, but the confirmed fare table should arrive when bookings open.
  • Booking dates on IRCTC. With festival travel in full swing, berths may go quickly once reservations open.
  • Running days. Reports suggest six days a week in each direction.

Until the railway publishes a notified schedule, treat the dates and timings as provisional and avoid locking in non refundable plans around them.

Correction, 24 October 2026: An earlier version of this story said Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna had announced a 1 November start and that this would be India’s second Vande Bharat sleeper service. The minister shared an update about the service, but the 1 November date comes from media reports and has not been officially confirmed, and a Varanasi to New Delhi sleeper service is also reported to start around the same time. We have updated the story.

Vande Bharat sleeper route timings (reported)

Detail Reported plan
Route SMVT Bengaluru to CSMT Mumbai
Bengaluru to Mumbai Departs 7:50 pm, arrives 11:55 am next day (about 16 hours)
Mumbai to Bengaluru Departs 8:10 pm, arrives 11:55 am next day (about 15 hours 45 minutes)
Expected stops Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune, Kalyan
Classes AC 3 tier (3A), AC 2 tier (2A), AC First (1A)
Operating days Six days a week (expected)

Timings, stops and days are based on reports. Indian Railways has not published a final schedule.

How to book Bangalore Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper tickets on IRCTC

Booking opens only after Indian Railways lists the train and its fares. Once it does, the steps are:

  1. Open the IRCTC Rail Connect app or irctc.co.in and log in.
  2. Enter the from and to stations (SMVT Bengaluru and CSMT Mumbai), pick the travel date and search.
  3. Select the Vande Bharat sleeper from the results. If it is missing, booking has not opened yet.
  4. Choose your class: 3A, 2A or 1A.
  5. Add passenger details, check the fare shown on screen, and pay.
  6. Save the e-ticket and carry a valid photo ID.

Fares have not been announced. Treat any figure on unofficial sites as unconfirmed until it appears on IRCTC.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book the Bangalore Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper?

Once Indian Railways opens reservations, search for the train on the IRCTC app or website between SMVT Bengaluru and CSMT Mumbai, choose 3A, 2A or 1A, add passenger details and pay. Booking dates and fares have not been officially announced yet.

How long does the Bengaluru to Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper take compared with existing trains?

Reports put the journey at about 16 hours, against roughly 22 hours for the existing Udyan Express. These timings are reported, not officially confirmed.

What will the Vande Bharat sleeper ticket price be?

Fares have not been announced. Indian Railways is expected to publish them when booking opens, and the official figure will appear on IRCTC.

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Sources