Railways Finalise Fares for Vande Bharat Sleeper – No RAC, No Waiting List!

The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to hit the tracks soon. Designed with state-of-the-art facilities and tailored for long-distance travel, the train will initially operate on the Kolkata–Guwahati route. In this regard, the Railway Department has officially notified the fare structure and booking regulations for the service. The minimum fare on this train starts at ₹960. This charge applies to 3AC travel for a distance of up to 400 kilometres. Even if a passenger books a ticket for a shorter distance, the minimum fare of ₹960 will still be applicable. For long-distance journeys, the maximum fare has been fixed at ₹13,300 for 1AC travel covering up to 3,500 kilometres.

Based on distance-wise minimum ticket pricing, the fare has been set at ₹2.4 per kilometre for 3 AC (₹960), ₹3.1 per kilometre for 2 AC (₹1,240), and ₹3.8 per kilometre for 1 AC (₹1,520). Ticket fares will increase according to the travel distance.

Only passengers with confirmed tickets will be permitted to travel on the Vande Bharat Sleeper. The train will not have the RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) facility, and passengers on the waiting list or with partially confirmed tickets will not be allowed to board. All berths will be available for booking from the Advance Reservation Period, which opens 60 days prior to the journey date. Special quotas will be provided for women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. No other quota categories will be applicable. Tickets must be booked exclusively in digital format, ensuring that refunds are processed within 24 hours of cancellation.

Women aged 45 and above and men aged 60 and above, will be automatically allotted lower berths by the system, subject to seat availability. The train will feature fully air-conditioned 3AC, 2AC, and 1AC coaches. While the top speed of the train is 180 kmph, it will operate at a maximum of 130 kmph depending on track conditions. Additional amenities include automatic sliding doors, modern toilets, reading lights, mobile charging points, CCTV surveillance, and advanced safety systems to enhance passenger security.