Why Vande Bharat Sleeper could help travellers skip hotel stays

Vande Bharat Sleeper

• Vande Bharat Sleeper to launch on Jan 17, Guwahati–Kolkata route
• Service offers confirmed AC berths, no RAC or waitlisted tickets
• Travellers can save on hotel costs by sleeping during long-distance journeys

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The upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper service could help travellers significantly cut down on overnight accommodation expenses by allowing them to sleep while travelling long intercity distances, travel industry experts said.

The first Vande Bharat Sleeper service is scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17 on the Guwahati–Kolkata route.

In India’s major cities, mid-range hotel rooms typically cost between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 per night, while prices for premium stays are even higher amid rising hospitality costs. By offering late-night departures and early-morning arrivals on routes spanning 600–900 kilometres, the Vande Bharat Sleeper enables passengers to avoid booking a hotel room altogether.

“Vande Bharat Sleeper effectively turns long-distance travel into productive rest time,” said Govind Gaur, CEO of WanderOn. “For families, students and business travellers, this can mean saving several thousand rupees on a single trip that would otherwise be spent on a night’s stay.”

Designed as a premium overnight train, the service will offer only confirmed AC berths, with no RAC or waitlisted tickets, providing greater comfort compared with traditional sleeper trains. While fares may be higher than some existing express services due to kilometre-based pricing, travellers still stand to benefit overall.

“Even if ticket prices are slightly higher, passengers are saving on hotel costs, which often outweigh the fare difference,” Gaur said. “That makes overnight train travel far more economical for long routes.”

Industry watchers note that the model could also make train travel more competitive against short-haul flights, particularly when factoring in airport transfers, waiting time and accommodation costs.

By optimising both travel time and expenses, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to appeal to cost-conscious travellers looking for a comfortable overnight alternative to flying or breaking journeys with hotel stays.

For travel of up to 400 km, fares have been fixed at Rs 1,520 for AC 1, Rs 1,240 for AC 2, and Rs 960 for AC 3, regardless of the actual distance travelled.

For journeys beyond 400 km, fares will be calculated on a per-kilometre basis at Rs 3.20 per km for AC 1, Rs 3.10 per km for AC 2, and Rs 2.40 per km for AC 3.

“Goods and Services Tax as applicable shall be levied separately. Minimum chargeable distance shall be 400 km. Rounding off of fare shall be made as per the existing principle. Only confirmed tickets shall be issued for this train. Accordingly, there shall be no provision for RAC/waitlisted/partially confirmed tickets,” the Railway Board circular said.

The Board has allowed only a limited set of reservation quotas. “There shall be only Ladies quota, quota for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), Senior Citizen quota and Duty Pass quota as per existing instructions issued from time to time. No other reservation quota shall be applicable in this train,” it added.

On berth allocation, the circular said special consideration will be given where possible. “Wherever a passenger is travelling with a child for whom a separate berth is not required, the system shall, if available, allocate a lower berth. For male passengers 60 years and above and female passengers of 45 years and above, the system will try to allot a lower berth automatically, subject to availability and compaction,” it said.