Vande Bharat sleeper to run Mumbai-Bengaluru via Pune, inaugural run set for November 1

Pune, October 27, 2026: The inaugural run of the proposed Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat sleeper train is scheduled for November 1, 2026, the same day as Karnataka Rajyotsava. The overnight service is expected to improve rail connectivity between Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai. The journey from Pune to Bengaluru is said to take about 13 hours.

The train will connect Bengaluru's Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVB) with Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The distance of about 1,118 km will be covered in roughly 16 hours. The inaugural run is planned for Sunday, November 1. However, Indian Railways has not yet officially confirmed the schedule, stoppages, fares and booking details of the regular service.

The train will pass through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The intermediate stops mentioned are Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune and Kalyan.

Pune is being seen as an important stop on the route, from where passengers will get an overnight train towards Bengaluru. The roughly 13-hour journey between Pune and Bengaluru will depend on the final timetable and operational arrangements. Indian Railways is also yet to confirm the final list of stoppages and the timings at each station.

The sleeper train will run six days a week and depart in the night from both ends. Under the tentative schedule for now, the Bengaluru-Mumbai service could leave SMVB at 10 pm and reach CSMT at 1.50 pm the next day. In the opposite direction, the Mumbai-Bengaluru service could leave CSMT at 10.30 pm and reach Bengaluru at 2.50 pm the next day.

The total journey time has been kept at about 16 hours. These timings have not been finalised and may change before the regular commercial service begins.

The train will have 16 coaches and a total of 823 berths. According to the configuration given, there are 11 AC three-tier coaches with 611 berths, four AC two-tier coaches with 188 berths, and one AC first class coach with 24 berths. The sleeper configuration has been designed for long-distance overnight travel.

The likely fares mentioned for the service are Rs 2,684 for AC three-tier, Rs 3,466 for AC two-tier and Rs 4,250 for AC first class.