The New Departure Time
Indian Railways has announced that the Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express, train number 20888, will now depart from Varanasi Cantt station at 3:55 PM. This is a 10-minute advance from its previous departure time of 4:05 PM. The change has been implemented
for operational reasons and is effective from Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Passengers are advised to take note of this preponement to avoid any last-minute inconvenience at the station.
What About Other Stations?
This schedule revision specifically affects the train's departure from its originating station, Varanasi. According to the Northern Railway, there will be no change in the train's timings at any of the subsequent stations along the route to Ranchi. The train will continue to adhere to its existing schedule at stops like Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Sasaram, Gaya, Koderma, Hazaribagh Road, Parasnath, Bokaro Steel City, and Muri. The total journey time of approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes remains the same.
Understanding the Ranchi-Varanasi Return Journey
It is important for travellers to note that this timing revision only applies to the service from Varanasi to Ranchi (Train No. 20888). The schedule for the return journey, train number 20887 from Ranchi to Varanasi, has not been changed. Passengers boarding the train from Ranchi for their trip to Varanasi can continue to follow the existing timetable for that service. The train operates six days a week, with no service on Tuesdays.
A Key Route for Connectivity
The Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express, which was the country's 49th such service, was flagged off on March 12, 2024, and began its commercial run on March 18, 2024. It serves as a vital semi-high-speed link connecting Uttar Pradesh with Jharkhand, passing through Bihar. The train covers a distance of about 536 kilometres and has been a popular choice for passengers seeking faster travel between the two state capitals. The service offers both AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car options for travellers. Officials believe the revised timing will help the train maintain punctuality and offer better travel options for commuters and tourists.
A Note on Another Service
Alongside the Ranchi-bound train, Indian Railways has also revised the schedule for the Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 22500). This train will also depart 10 minutes earlier from Varanasi, with its new departure time being 6:10 AM instead of 6:20 AM, effective from the same date, September 2. Similar to the Ranchi service, timings for the Deoghar train will remain unchanged at all subsequent stations. Passengers travelling on either of these popular services from Varanasi are strongly encouraged to verify the new timings before heading to the station.
