Delhi-Varanasi Sleeper Vande Bharat: Indian Railways is preparing to launch a new Sleeper Vande Bharat Express between New Delhi and Varanasi, with trial runs expected in October and commercial operations targeted around Diwali 2026. The proposed overnight service aims to make travel between the national capital and the holy city significantly more comfortable while significantly cutting down travel times on one of the country's busiest rail corridors.
If introduced as planned, the Delhi-Varanasi Sleeper Vande Bharat will become India's second Sleeper Vande Bharat service, following the Howrah-Kamakhya route.
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Delhi-Varanasi Sleeper Vande Bharat Route And Stoppages
The proposed overnight service is expected to connect four key railway stations:
Varanasi Cantt
Prayagraj Junction
Kanpur Central
New Delhi
These stops will provide seamless connectivity for passengers travelling between New Delhi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Varanasi. However, the final route and station schedule are yet to be officially confirmed by Indian Railways.
Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Timings And Schedule
According to a report by News18, the proposed departure and arrival timings for the overnight service are expected as follows:
Varanasi Cantt to New Delhi: Departs Varanasi Cantt between 9:20 PM and 9:30 PM, reaching New Delhi at approximately 5:00 AM the following morning.
En-Route Stops: Scheduled halt at Prayagraj Junction at around 10:45 PM and Kanpur Central at approximately 12:35 AM.
New Delhi to Varanasi Cantt (Return): Departs New Delhi between 9:20 PM and 10:00 PM, arriving at Varanasi Cantt around 5:00 AM the next day.
Coach Configuration And Passenger Capacity
The proposed train is expected to operate with a 16-coach configuration, comprising 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches and one First AC coach. Its total passenger capacity is estimated at around 823.
Maximum Speed And Total Travel Time
The train is designed to run at speeds between 130 km/h and 160 km/h, depending on signalling readiness and track conditions. Ongoing infrastructure upgrades under Indian Railways' Mission Raftaar initiative are set to support operational speeds on the Delhi–Varanasi rail corridor.
The total journey is expected to take roughly seven to eight hours.
When Will It Launch?
Trial runs are expected to begin in October 2026, with commercial operations targeted around Diwali. Northern Railway is expected to handle the train's primary maintenance.
Indian Railways has yet to officially confirm the train numbers, timetable, and ticket fare. Once operational, the train will provide a premium overnight option between Delhi and Varanasi, while increasing connectivity for passengers travelling to Prayagraj, subject to existing services.