Vande Bharat Sleeper: Right now, if you’re taking the train from Bengaluru to Mumbai, you’re looking at roughly 22 to 24 hours. But here’s the good news – that’s about to change big time. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to launch this month and could cut your travel time down to just 16 hours and 5 minutes. That’s a solid 6 to 8 hours shaved off your journey. The return trip from Mumbai back to Bengaluru would take around 15 hours and 45 minutes. Pretty sweet, right?

So what makes this possible? The route between these two cities is about 1,137 kilometers long, and it’s fully electrified with double tracks. Most of the line can handle trains cruising at up to 130 kilometers per hour, which is why it’s perfect for speedy service. This sleeper train was specifically built with long-distance overnight travelers in mind.

Here’s the breakdown of the schedule: You’d leave Bengaluru from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal at 7:50 pm and roll into Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 11:55 am the next morning. Coming back, you’d depart Mumbai at 8:10 pm and arrive in Bengaluru at 11:55 am the following day. This will actually be the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train operating in South India, which is pretty cool. Just keep in mind that the Railways still needs to make a final announcement about the exact launch date and timetable, so stay tuned for that.

At which stations can the train stop?

According to sources, the Bengaluru- Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train is likely to have stoppages at the following stations en route:

Anantapur
Complexity
Raichur
Kalaburagi
Solapur
Pune
welfare
The train’s tentative numbers are 27651 and 27652. However, the final stoppages and train number have not yet been confirmed. Only after an official announcement from the Railways will the train be determined at which stations and its timings.

According to the proposed plan, the train will originate from Bengaluru’s SMVT station. However, there are calls for it to originate from KSR Bengaluru, the city’s main railway station. The train’s launch was first announced in September 2025. The Railways have requested that the train originate from KSR Bengaluru, as this station is more convenient for passengers. Along with the launch date of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, it remains to be seen what the Railways’ decision regarding its originating station is.

Two racks of the train are ready

Two 16-coach Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets are scheduled to operate for this service. They were manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) under the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) program. According to sources, one trainset is located in Bengaluru Cantonment, while the other is stationed at Varadapura near Bangarapet. The Railway Board is expected to issue a formal notification regarding the handover of these two rakes to South Western Railway soon.

The proposed Vande Bharat Sleeper train will have a total of 16 coaches, including 11 3AC coaches, 4 2AC coaches, and 1 1AC coach. The one-way fare for 3AC is estimated to be around Rs 3,000. It is expected that this fare will include breakfast and lunch, as long-distance Vande Bharat trains offer food options. The Railways hopes that the low fares and shorter travel time compared to flights will make this service popular with passengers.