Vande Bharat's sleeper version to provide 'premium' experience to passengers: Check key features, ticket prices

The trains will have a total of 16 coaches, consisting of AC First Class, AC 2 Tier and AC 3 Tier compartments

India’s train travel experience is set to undergo a major revamp as Indian Railways prepares to launch a new sleeper version of its Vande Bharat Express. Since Vande Bharat's launch in 2019, the train has provided speed and comfort to the travelers. However, the sleeper variant is expected to make the passenger experience even more convenient.

Early this week, Kinet Railway Solutions, a joint venture between India and Russia, unveiled the design concept of the Vande Bharat Sleeper First AC coach at the International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE) 2025 in New Delhi.

The new sleeper coaches are set to be more modern and passenger-friendly with various on-board features.

The latest variant of Vande Bharat Express is set to begin its journey from Bihar’s Patna and travel to Delhi with a maximum speed of 180 kmph and an operational speed of 16 kmph, News18 reported.

The first class has been given a premium touch with comfortable seats, reading lights, bottle holders and charging points. The train coaches will be manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Ltd with the help of advanced technology from Chennai’s Integrated Coach Factory.

The trains will have a total of 16 coaches, consisting of AC First Class, AC 2 Tier and AC 3 Tier compartments. Moreover, the Vande Bharat Express with sleeper seats is likely to leave Patna at 8pm and reach Delhi at 7:30 am. There will be several stations along the way, with stops of 2-3 minutes. Major stations such as Delhi Cantt and Jaipur may have longer stops.

The tickets are likely to be 10-15 percent more expensive compared to the Rajdhani fares.

In addition, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the government is working on developing dedicated passenger corridors and manufacture next-gen trains with an eye on export market. Most of these passenger corridors will have a designed speed of 350 kmph, with an operating speed of 320 kmph, he said. The plan is to build about 7,000 km of passenger corridors across India over the next 20 years.