A New Premium Connection
Indian Railways is set to launch the Sant Ravidas Express, a new service described as India's second Sleeper Vande Bharat, on July 17, 2026. This train is designed to provide a faster, more comfortable, and direct overnight journey between Varanasi in Uttar
Pradesh and Chheharta, near Amritsar, in Punjab. The service is expected to be a major boost for religious tourism, connecting Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple with Amritsar's iconic Golden Temple. The train, numbered 14623/14624, will run three times a week, catering to a mix of pilgrims, tourists, and other long-distance passengers.
Decoding the Schedule and Timings
The overnight schedule is a key feature, allowing travellers to save on hotel costs and maximise their sightseeing time. From Varanasi to Chheharta (Amritsar), train number 14623 will depart at 7:05 PM every Thursday, Saturday, and Monday. It is scheduled to arrive in Amritsar the next day at 4:35 PM before terminating at Chheharta at 5:10 PM. In the opposite direction, train number 14624 will leave Chheharta at 2:05 PM every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, arriving in Varanasi the next day at 12:15 PM. This timing makes it an excellent option for those planning a weekend pilgrimage or a short trip.
Mapping the Major Stops
The route connects several important cities across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, making it a vital corridor. Key stops on the Sant Ravidas Express route include Jaunpur City, Sultanpur, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar City before its main halts at Amritsar and Chheharta. The stop in Lucknow is particularly significant, with the train arriving from Varanasi around 12:10 AM and from Chheharta around 7:30 AM, providing a crucial link to the state capital.
Comfort, Class, and Cost
As a premium service, the Sant Ravidas Express is expected to feature fully air-conditioned sleeper coaches with modern amenities. Passengers can anticipate ergonomically designed berths, bio-vacuum toilets, passenger information systems, and enhanced safety features like CCTV surveillance. While official fare details are awaited and will be announced closer to the launch date, the train will offer a comfortable alternative to standard express services. Travellers should monitor the official Indian Railways portal for ticket booking announcements and a full breakdown of costs by class.
Who Benefits Most from This Train?
This new service is tailored for several types of travellers. For pilgrims, it establishes a direct and comfortable link between two major spiritual destinations, simplifying what was once a more complex journey. Families will appreciate the convenience and safety of an overnight, fully air-conditioned train with modern facilities. For weekend travellers and tourists, the schedule allows them to leave on a Friday or Saturday evening and arrive with a full day for sightseeing, without losing a day to travel. The connectivity to major economic and educational hubs like Lucknow, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar also makes it valuable for business travellers and students.
How It Compares to Other Options
Before this service, travellers between Varanasi and Amritsar relied on other mail and express trains, which can take anywhere from 19 to over 24 hours. While some of these services are daily, the Sant Ravidas Express aims to provide a faster and more premium experience. Flights are a much quicker alternative but come at a significantly higher cost and do not offer direct connectivity to the city centers in the same way a train does. The new express strikes a balance, offering enhanced comfort and a reasonable journey time compared to older trains, at a price point expected to be below airfare.
