The Railway Board has officially notified the fare structure for India's much-anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, introducing a premium pricing model with significant changes to traditional ticketing rules. The first of these semi-high-speed overnight trains is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week on the Guwahati-Howrah route.
A New Premium Fare Structure
In a circular issued on January 9, 2026, the Railway Board outlined a fare system based on a flat per-kilometer rate across air-conditioned classes. Passengers will be charged at Rs. 2.4 per km for 3AC, Rs. 3.1 per km for 2AC, and Rs. 3.8 per km for 1AC. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be levied separately on top of these base fares.
This translates to a minimum fare, applicable for distances up to 400 km, of Rs. 960 for 3AC, Rs. 1240 for 2AC, and Rs. 1520 for 1AC. The board has mandated that the minimum chargeable distance shall be 400 km, regardless of the actual distance traveled if it is less.
Key Changes in Ticketing Policy
A major departure from conventional train ticketing is the complete elimination of provisional bookings. The circular explicitly states, "Only confirmed tickets shall be issued for this train. Accordingly, there shall be no provision for RAC/waitlisted/partially confirmed tickets." All berths will be available for booking from the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP).
However, the train will maintain important quotas, including those for ladies, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), senior citizens, and duty passes. This ensures accessibility while prioritizing a confirmed-seat experience for all passengers.
How It Compares to Existing Premium Trains
The new fares position the Vande Bharat Sleeper as a costlier option compared to existing premium services like the Rajdhani Express. For instance, the Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani charges approximately Rs. 2.14, Rs. 2.91, and Rs. 3.60 per km for 3AC, 2AC, and 1AC, respectively.
On the inaugural Guwahati-Howrah route (about 1000 km), a Vande Bharat Sleeper ticket will cost Rs. 2,400 (3AC), Rs. 3,100 (2AC), and Rs. 3,800 (1AC). In contrast, the highest fare on the existing Saraighat Express for the same route is Rs. 1,410 (3AC), Rs. 1,985 (2AC), and Rs. 3,320 (1AC).
For a sample 2,000 km journey, the fares would be Rs. 4,800 (3AC), Rs. 6,200 (2AC), and Rs. 7,600 (1AC).
Train Specifications and Inaugural Run
The inaugural service will be an overnight train with 16 coaches: 11 3AC coaches, four 2AC coaches, and one 1AC coach. It will cover 10 stops across nine districts in West Bengal and Assam, including Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Kamrup Metropolitan, and Bongaigaon.
Although the train has a design speed of 180 kmph, it will operate at up to 130 kmph for this service due to safety considerations. This speed will still cut the travel time on the Guwahati-Howrah route by an impressive three hours compared to current express trains.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper boasts several advanced features aimed at redefining luxury rail travel in India:
- Ergonomically designed berths with improved cushioning.
- Automatic doors with vestibules for smooth inter-coach movement.
- Enhanced ride comfort through superior suspension and noise reduction technology.
- The indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system for safety.
- An emergency talk-back system, disinfectant technology, and aerodynamic exterior design.
By introducing a confirmed-ticket-only model with a higher fare bracket, Indian Railways is positioning the Vande Bharat Sleeper as a new benchmark for comfortable and predictable premium travel, aiming to replicate the iconic status enjoyed by the Rajdhani Express since 1969.
