994 km in 13 hours: Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat's ticket prices may surprise passengers

Festive rescue

Heading home for Chhath Puja or Diwali? Indian Railways is introducing a 16-coach Vande Bharat Festival Special between New Delhi and Patna from October 16, 2026. With festive travel demand putting pressure on regular trains, the new service promises another option for passengers travelling between the national capital and Bihar.

Thousand-kilometre dash

Nearly 1,000 kilometres in a single day! The Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special will cover approximately 994 km in about 13 hours. Leaving New Delhi at 8:35 am, it is scheduled to reach Patna at 9:30 pm, stopping at Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar and Ara along the way.

Limited departures

This isn't a daily service, and passengers will need to watch the calendar. Train 02252 will run from New Delhi on October 16 and 18, followed by Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from October 21 to November 25. The return service, train 02251, will operate on October 17 and 19, followed by Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from October 22 to November 26. The announced plan includes 18 trips in each direction.

Return puzzle

Travelling back to Delhi after the festivities? The return journey follows a different timetable. Train 02251 will leave Patna Junction at 10 am and reach New Delhi at 11:30 pm, travelling through Ara, Buxar, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Prayagraj, Kanpur Central and Aligarh. Passengers should check their travel dates carefully because the two directions operate on different days.

Fare surprise

A nearly 1,000-km Vande Bharat journey could cost around ₹2,575 to ₹2,600 in AC Chair Car, including meals, according to reported fare estimates. Executive Chair Car tickets may cost ₹4,650 to ₹4,680. Bookings are reportedly scheduled to begin on October 15, while passengers who skip meals during booking could pay slightly less. Final fares will need to be checked when reservations open.