The Indian Railways has finalised the fare structure for the much-anticipated first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, which is set to be inaugurated this week on the key Howrah to Guwahati (Kamakhya) route. The new service promises enhanced comfort and a significant reduction in travel time, marking a major upgrade for connectivity between West Bengal and Assam.
Finalised Fare Structure for Key Stops
Railway officials have confirmed the complete journey fare for the 958-kilometre route. For Third AC (3AC), the fare from Howrah to Guwahati (Kamakhya) will be Rs 2,299. For shorter segments, the 3AC fare from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri is set at Rs 1,334, and from Howrah to Malda Town at Rs 960.
For Second AC (2AC), passengers will pay Rs 2,970 for the full Howrah to Kamakhya journey. The fare from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri in 2AC is Rs 1,724, and from Howrah to Malda Town is Rs 1,240.
The First AC (1AC) fare for the complete route stands at Rs 3,640. For the Howrah to New Jalpaiguri segment, it will be Rs 2,113, and for Howrah to Malda Town, Rs 1,520.
Premium Over Existing Services and Key Features
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper fares represent a premium compared to the existing highest fares on this route. Currently, the Saraighat Express charges Rs 1,410 for 3AC, Rs 1,985 for 2AC, and Rs 3,320 for 1AC for the same Howrah-Guwahati journey.
According to a circular issued by the Railway Board on January 9, 2026, the fare calculation is based on a flat per-kilometre rate. This is set at Rs 2.4 per km for 3AC, Rs 3.1 per km for 2AC, and Rs 3.8 per km for 1AC. The circular also stipulates that the minimum fare will be equivalent to the charge for a 400-kilometre distance. A 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be applicable on all tickets.
A significant operational change for this train is that it will issue only confirmed tickets and will have no provision for Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC).
Inauguration and Route Details
The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week. It is expected to reduce travel time by approximately three hours compared to the existing express train services on the Guwahati-Howrah corridor.
The train will cover 10 stops across seven districts in West Bengal – Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar – and will also serve Kamrup metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam.
This launch represents a critical step in modernising India's long-distance rail travel, offering a sleeper variant of the successful Vande Bharat platform aimed at providing faster and more comfortable overnight journeys.
