6 hours faster, 96% costlier! Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper comes with a big catch

Fare shock

India's new Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper promises a faster and more comfortable overnight journey, but there's a catch! Its AC 3 Tier ticket costs ₹2,810, compared with ₹1,435 on the Coimbatore–Mumbai LTT Express. That's nearly 96% more for the same class of travel. While the premium train saves passengers almost six hours, the big question is whether the extra comfort and shorter travel time justify the higher fare.

Speed advantage

Nearly six hours saved on a single train journey! The Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper covers the route in just 16 hours and 10 minutes, making it the fastest service between the two cities, according to railway officials. Other trains typically take around 22 hours or longer. With overnight departures and next-day arrivals, the premium sleeper offers a major time advantage. But passengers will have to pay significantly more for that convenience.

Booking frenzy

High fares haven't stopped passengers from rushing to book the new Vande Bharat Sleeper! Despite AC 3 Tier tickets costing up to 96% more than comparable trains, all classes were reportedly fully booked following the launch, with waiting lists extending over the next couple of weeks. The strong initial response suggests considerable interest in faster overnight travel, but will demand remain as strong after the launch excitement fades?

Premium dilemma

Would you pay ₹4,450 for an AC First Class train ticket between Bengaluru and Mumbai? That's the fare on the new Vande Bharat Sleeper, while AC 2 Tier costs ₹3,630 and AC 3 Tier ₹2,810. The service connects major stations including Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi and Raichur, operating six days a week. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has previously said fares reflect the facilities provided. For passengers, the choice comes down to time, comfort and cost.