A New Overnight Connection
The latest buzz for travellers is the planned second Vande Bharat Express between New Delhi and Varanasi, which will operate as an overnight sleeper service. This is a significant upgrade from the existing chair-car Vande Bharat that runs during the day.
The sleeper train is designed for long-distance comfort, allowing you to travel overnight and wake up fresh in the holy city, saving a precious hotel night and a full day of travel time. The service is tentatively expected to launch around the festive season, with some reports pointing to a mid-October 2026 inauguration.
Faster Travel, Smarter Schedule
The proposed schedule for the new sleeper train aims for maximum convenience. Departing from Varanasi Cantt at 9:20 PM, it is expected to reach New Delhi at 5:00 AM the next morning. The return journey would leave New Delhi at a similar time in the evening. This sub-eight-hour journey is a major improvement, facilitated by the train's ability to run at speeds up to 130 km/h on this corridor. This service will not only connect the two major cities but also benefit travellers heading to key stops like Prayagraj and Kanpur.
A New Standard of Comfort
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is not just about speed; it's about transforming the journey itself. The 16-coach train is expected to have a capacity of 823 passengers across three classes: First AC, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier. These coaches are designed with modern aesthetics and passenger comfort in mind, featuring ergonomically designed berths and ladders, sensor-based lighting, and advanced amenities. This focus on a premium passenger experience is a hallmark of the Vande Bharat brand, aiming to make the travel as memorable as the destination.
The Spiritual Circuit Gets a Boost
This new train is part of a broader push to improve connectivity to India's spiritual and cultural hubs. In late 2025, a Vande Bharat service was launched connecting Varanasi to Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site. That train created a direct link that was previously missing, making it easier for tourists to combine a visit to Varanasi's ghats with Khajuraho's temples. The addition of another high-speed service from the national capital reinforces Varanasi's position as a central hub for tourists exploring the rich heritage of Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
What This Means for Your Itinerary
For travellers, these new routes offer unprecedented flexibility. The overnight sleeper from Delhi makes a weekend trip to Varanasi entirely feasible without losing two full days to travel. You can leave Delhi on a Friday night and be back by Monday morning. The improved connectivity to other heritage sites like Khajuraho via the 2025 Vande Bharat allows for more complex and enriching itineraries without the hassle of changing trains or relying on expensive road travel. This modern rail infrastructure makes spontaneous trips and well-planned spiritual journeys equally accessible.
Booking and Planning Ahead
While the official launch date, fares, and train number for the Delhi-Varanasi sleeper are yet to be announced by the Railway Board, anticipation is high. Travellers should keep an eye on the official IRCTC portal for announcements. Given that the existing Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat is one of the busiest routes, tickets for the new sleeper service are expected to be in high demand. Planning your trip in advance, especially around holidays, will be crucial to securing a berth on this game-changing new train.
