India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train will depart from January 22: check stops, timings and fares

Nearly six years after the launch of the Vande Bharat train in 2019, India will see the first commercial run of the train on Thursday (January 22, 2026). The modernized train will be operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone. The route is planned to cover Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Howrah, covering 972 kilometers in 14 hours.

Train times

According to the Ministry of Railways, one train set (Train No. 27576) will depart from Kamakhya station at 6.15 pm and reach Howrah at 8.15 am the next morning, covering 972 kilometers in 14 hours. The other train set (Train No. 27575) departs Howrah at 6:20 PM and arrives at Kamakhya at 8:20 AM the next morning.

Also read I The Vande Bharat sleeper train completes a high-speed trial at a speed of 180 kmph

Notably, the Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (27576) will not operate on Wednesday, and Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (27575) will not operate on Thursday.

Ticket prices

The ticket price in the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from Guwahati (Kamakhya) to Howrah for Tier 1-AC has been fixed at ₹3,855. While AC for Tier-2 and Tier-3 AC has been fixed at ₹3,145 and ₹2,435 respectively. The similar charges are likely to be applied for bookings from Howrah to Kamakhya.

Train interruptions

During its run between Kamakhya and Howrah station, the newly built Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will encounter 13 stops on the route. These include Rangiya, New Bongaigaon, New Alipurduar, New Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri Road, New Jalpaiguri, Aluabari Road, Malda Town, New Farakka, Azimganj, Katwa, Nabadwip Dham and Bandel.

Ticket cancellation fees

According to the Railways, passengers will not get a refund if a ticket is canceled less than eight hours before the scheduled departure of the train. The new rules have been in force since the Railways started preparing the map eight hours before the departure of a train.

Similarly, if a ticket is canceled at any time after booking, a 25% discount will be charged. In addition, a 50% surcharge will be charged if the cancellation occurs between 72 hours and eight hours before the train’s scheduled departure.

Here are the updated ticket cancellation rates: ₹240 for Tier-1 AC, ₹200 Tier-2 AC, ₹180 for Tier-3 AC, ₹120 for sleeper and ₹60 for second class. The following charges will apply if a ticket is canceled 48 hours before a train’s scheduled departure.

Is this the fastest train on this route?

According to the Ministry of Railways, the existing Saraighat Express (12345/12346) with 15 stops completed the journey in 17 hours. In comparison, Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will reduce the estimated travel time by three hours. Moreover, the districts affected by this new semi-high speed train include Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in the state of Assam, and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly and Howrah in the state of West Bengal.

Composition of the coach

The train will have 16 coaches, including 11 AC three-tier coaches, 4 AC two-tier coaches and 1 first class AC coach, with a total capacity of around 823 passengers.