- Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper routes planned.
- Overnight services launching October/November 2026 tentatively.
- Reduced travel time, enhanced connectivity for passengers.
Indian Railways is preparing to expand its overnight premium train network with two new Vande Bharat Sleeper services linking Mumbai with Bengaluru and New Delhi with Varanasi. The services are expected to begin with inaugural runs on October 31 and November 1, 2026, giving passengers new overnight travel options on two busy intercity corridors.
The new trains are expected to connect major business centres and tourist destinations, with the Delhi-Varanasi service passing through Prayagraj and Kanpur.
Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper: Route, Stops And Timings
The new service will run between Mumbai and Bengaluru, covering approximately 1,118 km in about 16 hours, likely to reduce the current journey time by about six hours as compared to the current Udyan Express. The train will run between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai and Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT), Bengaluru.
According to the reports, the service is scheduled to be launched on November 1, the same day as Karnataka Rajyotsava.
Proposed Route And Stops
The train is expected to pass through Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Guntakal and Anantapur, connecting key locations across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Proposed Timings
* Mumbai to Bengaluru: Departure from CSMT at 8:10 pm; arrival at SMVT Bengaluru at 11:55 am the following day.
* Bengaluru to Mumbai: Departure from SMVT Bengaluru at 7:50 pm; arrival at CSMT at 11:55 am the following day.
These timings have been reported as tentative and await official confirmation.
Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Route, Stops And Timings
The second service will connect New Delhi with Varanasi through Prayagraj and Kanpur. The overnight train is expected to complete the journey in around 9.2 hours.
The train is expected to be inaugurated on October 31, 2026, although passengers should check for the final announcement before making travel plans.
Proposed Timings
Varanasi to New Delhi - Train No. 27421
* Departure from Varanasi: 8:50 pm
* Arrival at Prayagraj Junction: 10:35 pm
* Departure from Prayagraj Junction: 10:40 pm
* Arrival at Kanpur Central: 12:40 am
* Arrival at New Delhi: 5:55 am the following day
New Delhi to Varanasi - Train No. 27422
* Departure from New Delhi: 9:40 pm
* Arrival at Prayagraj Junction: 4:45 am the following day
* Departure from Prayagraj Junction: 4:50 am
* Arrival at Varanasi: 6:45 am
The reported schedule includes stops at Prayagraj Junction and Kanpur Central. The regular operating timetable and stoppages remain subject to official confirmation.
What The New Routes Mean For Passengers
The two services are intended to offer overnight alternatives for passengers travelling between major economic and urban centres. The Mumbai-Bengaluru train could benefit business travellers and commuters, while the Delhi-Varanasi service could provide an additional option for tourists, pilgrims, students and professionals travelling via Prayagraj.
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Indian Railways already operates a Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Howrah and Kamakhya. The two proposed routes would further expand the network of premium sleeper trains designed for longer journeys.