Vande Bharat Sleeper fares start at ₹960, peak at ₹1.33 lakh; no RAC or waitlist facility

The new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express trains, which promise higher speed, enhanced comfort, and improved safety features, also come with airline-like fares. Prices range from ₹960 for a 3AC ticket for journeys up to 400 km to high of ₹1.33 lakh for a 1AC ticket for the longest distance of 3,500 km.

For journeys up to 400 km, fares start at ₹960 (3AC), ₹1,240 (2AC) and ₹1,520 (1AC). For trips up to 800 km, the fares are ₹1,920 (3AC), ₹2,480 (2AC) and ₹3,040 (1AC). For journeys up to 1,600 km, the fares are ₹3,840 (3AC), ₹4,960 (2AC) and ₹6,080 (1AC), according to official sources.

For distances up to 2,000 km, fares will be ₹4,800 (3AC), ₹6,200 (2AC) and ₹7,600 (1AC). For journeys up to 2,800 km, the fares rise to ₹6,720 (3AC), ₹8,680 (2AC) and ₹10,640 (1AC). For the maximum distance of 3,500 km, passengers will pay ₹8,400 (3AC), ₹10,850 (2AC) and ₹1.33 lakh (1AC). Officials added that fares vary incrementally depending on the distance travelled.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will cater only to passengers with confirmed tickets, with no provision for RAC, waitlisted or partially confirmed tickets. All berths will be available from the first day of the advance reservation period.

The Railway Board has informed zonal officials across the country that quotas for ladies, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and duty pass holders will apply as per existing rules. No additional quotas will be available on these new trains.

Eligibility for duty passes for railway employees will be on par with Rajdhani-type trains. All tickets must be purchased digitally, and the reservation system will ensure lower berths are allotted to male passengers aged 60 and above and female passengers aged 45 and above, sources said.

Other rules for travel in these trains are that only those passes which are fully reimbursable will be allowed for buying tickets. Concessional tickets and tickets against free complimentary passes, which are not reimbursed, will not be admissible. The normal child fares will apply, and whenever a passenger is travelling with a child for whom a separate berth is not required, a lower berth is allocated depending on the availability.