Vande Bharat Sleeper: Indian Railways is set to launch the highly awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper train on January 17th. The inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will operate between Howrah (Kolkata) and Kamakhya (Guwahati). This premium service will cover the roughly 958-kilometer Howrah-Kamakhya route, providing long-distance travelers with a speedy and comfortable experience, complete with modern amenities. The Railways has now revealed the ticket prices.
The country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train is set to start running on Friday, so check out the fares. Sources indicate that the Vande Bharat Sleeper train will feature third AC, second AC, and first AC class coaches, with the fares now confirmed. The third AC (3AC) fare from Howrah to Kamakhya is priced at Rs 2,299. For the journey from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri, the fare is Rs 1,334, and from Howrah to Malda Town, it’s Rs 960. The second AC (2AC) fare for Howrah to Kamakhya is Rs 2,970, while passengers will pay Rs 1,724 for Howrah to New Jalpaiguri and ₹1,240 for Howrah to Malda Town.
Here’s what you’ll need to pay for First AC
The fare for the First AC (1AC) from Howrah to Kamakhya is set at Rs 3,640. Additionally, the fare for the Howrah to New Jalpaiguri route is Rs 2,113, and for Howrah to Malda Town, it’s Rs 1,520. The Railways has also established fares for the return trips between Kamakhya and Malda Town, as well as Kamakhya to New Jalpaiguri. The fare for the Kamakhya to Malda Town route is Rs 1,522 in Third AC, Rs 1,965 in Second AC, and Rs 2,409 in First AC. For the Kamakhya to New Jalpaiguri route, the fares are Rs 962 in Third AC, Rs 1,243 in Second AC, and Rs 1,524 in First AC.
A 5% GST will be added separately
As per the Railways, passengers will need to pay an additional 5% GST on top of these fixed ticket prices. This means that the total amount due at the time of booking will exceed the listed fare. Moreover, the Railways has clarified that the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is categorized as a premium service, with a minimum fare limit applicable for journeys of 400 kilometers.
This indicates that tickets won’t be sold for trips shorter than 400 kilometers. On the other hand, prices will rise for journeys that go beyond 400 kilometers.
Is there going to be no RAC in Vande Bharat Sleeper?
Reports suggest that the Railways is planning to remove the RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) option on this premium train. As a result, travelers will need to have confirmed tickets to board. In general, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is set to become a major premium train linking Howrah to Northeast India, providing passengers with a fresh choice for quick, safe, and modern rail travel.