The much-awaited Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express was flagged off by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on November 1, 2026, marking the launch of a new overnight rail connection between two of India’s major metropolitan cities. The inaugural train departed from Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru and is scheduled to reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai the following morning.
The launch ceremony was attended by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H D Kumaraswamy, along with Ministers of State V Somanna and Shobha Karandlaje and other dignitaries. The new service is expected to strengthen rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra, while providing passengers with an alternative to air
travel for the journey.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the launch of this new route. He highlighted that the Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train will be a major boost to rail connectivity across 3 cities. The Prime Minister posted on X and wrote, “Another step towards better rail connectivity and that too from Bengaluru, the city of technology and innovation! The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will be a game changer for connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai. This train will benefit Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, especially benefitting youngsters, IT professionals and students.”
Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express: When Will Regular Services Begin?
While the inaugural run took place on November 1, regular commercial services will begin in the two directions on separate dates. The Mumbai-to-Bengaluru service is scheduled to commence on November 2, while the Bengaluru-to-Mumbai service will begin on November 3.
The Bengaluru-Mumbai train, numbered 27652, will depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 7:45 pm and arrive at CSMT Mumbai at 11:55 am the following day. In the return direction, train number 27651 will leave CSMT at 8:10 pm and reach SMVT Bengaluru at noon the next day.
Both services will operate six days a week. The Bengaluru-originating train will not run on Mondays, while the Mumbai-originating service will remain unavailable on Tuesdays.
What Are The Stoppages On The Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Route?
The regular service will stop at eight stations between Bengaluru and Mumbai: Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune and Kalyan.
The route connects important towns across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, including several locations in North Karnataka.
What Is Special About The New Vande Bharat Sleeper Train?
Unlike the daytime Vande Bharat Express services, the sleeper variant is designed for overnight journeys. The Bengaluru-Mumbai service will cover the route in approximately 16 hours, allowing passengers to travel overnight and reach their destination the next day.
The introduction of this service expands Indian Railways’ Vande Bharat Sleeper network and adds a premium overnight travel option for professionals, business travellers, students and tourists travelling between the two cities.
