‘No RAC, minimum fare equivalent to 400 km’: Railway Board notifies the fare structure of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains

No provision for Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets, a minimum fare equivalent to a 400 km distance, and slightly higher ticket prices compared to existing premium trains like the Rajdhani Express – these are some of the key features of the fare structure of the ambitious Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. The first train is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week on the Guwahati-Howrah route.

“Minimum chargeable distance shall be 400 km…Only confirmed tickets shall be issued for this train. Accordingly, there shall be no provision for RAC/waitlisted/partially confirmed tickets. All available berths will be available from the day of Advance reservation period (ARP),” said the Railway Board in its circular issued on January 9, 2026.

In the AC class of other express trains, while waitlisted tickets are not accepted and are automatically cancelled in case of non-confirmation, RAC tickets are issued. The train will have ladies quota, quota for Person with Disabilities (PwD), senior citizen quota and Duty Pass quota.

According to the fare structure of the train, the passengers will be charged at a rate of Rs. 2.4 per km for 3AC, Rs. 3.1 per km for 2AC and Rs. 3.8 per km for 1AC. So, the minimum fare of a Vande Bharat Sleeper train, which is up to 400 km distance, will be Rs. 960 for 3AC, Rs. 1240 for 2AC and Rs. 1520 for 1AC. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) shall be levied separately.

Similarly, for a 1,000 km distance – the distance between Howrah and Guwahati, where the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train is scheduled to be launched – the fare will be Rs. 2,400 for 3AC, Rs. 3,100 for 2AC, and Rs. 3,800 for 1AC. For a 2000 km distance, the fares are Rs. 4800 for 3AC, Rs. 6200 for 2AC and Rs, 7600 for 3AC.

The fares are slightly higher than those of existing premium trains. For instance, the Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express charges Rs. 3,105 for 3AC, Rs. 4,225 for 2AC, and Rs. 5,215 for 1AC for a 1,448 km distance, at the rate of Rs. 2.14 (3AC), Rs. 2.91 (2AC), and Rs. 3.60 (1AC) per km. Similarly, the CSMT Rajdhani (Delhi-Mumbai) charges a per-km fare at the rate of Rs. 2.10 (3AC), Rs. 2.85 (2AC), and Rs. 3.53 (1AC).

The highest fare of the existing express train Saraighat Express on Howrah-Guwahati (Kamakhya Jn.) route is Rs. 1410 (3AC), Rs. 1985 (2AC) and Rs. 3320 (1AC).

The semi high speed Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are poised to become a benchmark for luxurious, comfortable, and safe travel, much like the Rajdhani Express trains enjoyed for many decades after their first launch in 1969. Interestingly, Howrah was the launch pad for the Rajdhani train as well.

The first train will cover 10 stops across the nine districts of Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar in West Bengal, and Kamrup metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam. These will be overnight trains, starting in the late evening and ending in the morning, with 16 coaches, including 11 3AC, four 2AC and one 1AC. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train on the route will reduce travel time by three hours vis-a-vis existing express train service.

The train can travel at a speed of 180 kmph but will only run upto 130 kmph for this service due to safety reasons. Other features include ergonomically designed berths with improved cushioning, automatic doors with vestibules for smooth movement, enhanced ride comfort with superior suspension and noise reduction.

The train is built with the automatic train protection system, Kavach, and emergency talk-back system. It has disinfectant technology to maintain sanitation, a driver cab with advanced controls and aerodynamic exterior, and automatic exterior passenger doors.

#GST will be levied separately on this #Rajdhani Express charges at the rate of Rs. 2.14 (3AC), Rs. Rs. 2.91 (2AC), Rs. 3.60 (1AC) per km #Fare of existing express train on Howrah-Guwahati route: Rs. 1410 (3AC), Rs. 1985 (2AC), Rs. 3320 (1AC).