Frequently asked questions

Vande Bharat Express (originally Train 18) is India's first indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed train. Built at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai under the Make in India initiative, it is a self-propelled trainset capable of speeds up to 160 km/h, currently operating at 130 km/h on most routes across the country.

Tickets can be booked through the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in), the IRCTC Rail Connect app, or authorised booking agents. Each train listing on this site includes a direct "Check availability & book" link that takes you to the seat availability page for that specific service.

The standard Vande Bharat Express offers two classes — Executive Chair Car (EC) with 52 reclining seats and Chair Car (CC) with 78 seats per coach, totalling 1,128 seats across a 16-coach trainset. The Vande Bharat Sleeper offers First AC, Second AC, and Third AC berths for overnight long-distance journeys.

Over 100 Vande Bharat Express services now operate across India, connecting cities in every region from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. This site tracks all active services with their full schedules, routes, and booking links.

Vande Bharat Sleeper is the overnight evolution of the Vande Bharat Express, designed for long-distance corridors of 800–1,200 km. Inaugurated on 17 January 2026 on the Howrah–Kamakhya route, it offers 823 berths across First AC (24), Second AC (188), and Third AC (611) classes, with a top speed capability of 180 km/h.

Yes, onboard catering is available on most Vande Bharat services. Meals, snacks, and beverages are served by the IRCTC catering team. On select routes, the base meal cost is included in the ticket price. The menu varies by route and time of travel.

Kavach is India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system that prevents collisions by automatically applying brakes when a signal is passed at danger or when trains are on the same track. Vande Bharat trainsets are compatible with Kavach, which is being progressively deployed across the Indian Railways network.

Unlike conventional trains that use a separate locomotive to haul coaches, Vande Bharat uses distributed traction — motors are spread across the entire trainset. This enables faster acceleration (0 to 100 km/h in approximately 55 seconds), quicker turnarounds at terminals, superior ride quality, and features like bio-vacuum toilets, automatic doors, and Wi-Fi on board.