Overnight rail travel between Mumbai and Bengaluru is getting a new option: the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. The train is designed for long-distance journeys where passengers want to travel through the night and arrive the next day. Here’s a practical guide to the route, schedule, stops and fares based on information available on November 1, 2026.
When does the Mumbai–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper start?
The inaugural one-way special is scheduled to leave Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT), Bengaluru, on November 1. Regular services are reported to begin from Mumbai on November 2 and from Bengaluru on November 3, running six days a week. The service is numbered 27651 from Mumbai and 27652 from Bengaluru. Check the date-specific listing on IRCTC before travelling, as inaugural and regular schedules can differ.
Route, timings and stops
The regular route connects Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai with SMVT Bengaluru, covering about 1,118 km. Published timings put the Mumbai departure at 8:10 pm, with arrival in Bengaluru at noon the following day. The return service is listed to leave Bengaluru at 7:45 pm and reach Mumbai at 11:55 am the next day.
Reported regular stops include Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Guntakal and Anantapur, besides the terminals. The inaugural special may have additional stops, so passengers should check their own train number and date before setting out.
What is the sleeper train like?
The 16-coach rake is reported to have 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches and one first-class AC coach, with a total of 823 berths. That gives overnight passengers a choice of sleeper accommodation across three air-conditioned classes.
Ticket fares and booking
Media reports have cited an indicative fare range of ₹2,600–₹4,250 for the full journey, depending on class, while noting that final fare details were not yet released at the time of reporting. Treat this as an estimate: the fare shown for your date and boarding station on IRCTC is the one to rely on. Search by train number 27651 or 27652 when bookings are available.
Is it useful for your trip?
The evening departure and next-day arrival make the service particularly relevant for people travelling between the two cities for work, family visits or a short break. It also adds an overnight rail choice alongside existing trains and flights. Actual journey time, availability and fares depend on the date, so compare the live schedule before making plans.
Schedule note: Launch coverage published on November 1 describes a special inaugural run and regular services beginning on different dates in each direction. Timings and stops in this guide are based on published reports; confirm the current details on IRCTC or with Indian Railways before travel.
Sources: The Times of India · The New Indian Express
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