Vande Bharat Sleeper Express to Connect Varanasi and New Delhi, Inaugural Run on October 31
Uttar Pradesh’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train to be flagged off from Banaras station; 16-coach inaugural special will halt at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad.
A new chapter in long-distance rail travel in Uttar Pradesh is set to begin with the introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express between Varanasi and New Delhi. Designed to offer a modern sleeper travel experience, the new service will provide an additional rail connectivity option between the religious and cultural city of Varanasi and the national capital.
The inaugural service of Uttar Pradesh’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will be operated on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from Banaras railway station. The train will run as an inaugural special under train number 02527 (Banaras–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Inaugural Special).
The introduction of this service is expected to benefit passengers travelling between Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Aligarh, Ghaziabad and New Delhi. These cities will be connected through a single long-distance rail service, providing passengers with another option for travelling towards the national capital.
The inaugural special will comprise 16 coaches and will depart from Banaras at 4:15 pm on October 31. It will travel through five intermediate stations before reaching New Delhi in the early hours of November 1.
Vande Bharat Sleeper to Offer a New Travel Option Between Kashi and Delhi
The launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper service marks an important addition to rail connectivity between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital. Varanasi, one of India’s major religious and cultural destinations, attracts visitors and travellers from across the country. The new train will provide another direct connection to Delhi, catering to passengers travelling for business, education, tourism and other purposes.
The route will also connect Prayagraj, known for its religious and cultural significance, Kanpur, an important industrial centre, and the historic city of Aligarh. Ghaziabad, a major urban and industrial centre in the National Capital Region, will also be included in the train’s scheduled stops.
With its sleeper configuration, the service is intended to provide a different travel experience for passengers undertaking long-distance journeys. The introduction of this train is part of the expansion of modern rail services aimed at improving passenger convenience and connectivity across major cities.
16-Coach Inaugural Special to Depart Banaras at 4:15 PM
According to the schedule released by the railway administration, train number 02527 Banaras–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Inaugural Special will depart from Banaras station at 4:15 pm on October 31, 2026.
The train will make scheduled stops at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad before reaching New Delhi at 2:00 am on November 1.
The detailed schedule of the inaugural special is as follows:
| Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Banaras (BNRS) | — | 4:15 PM |
| Prayagraj (PRYJ) | 6:00 PM | 6:05 PM |
| Kanpur Central | 8:05 PM | 8:10 PM |
| Aligarh | 11:20 PM | 11:22 PM |
| Ghaziabad | 1:10 AM | 1:15 AM |
| New Delhi (NDLS) | 2:00 AM | — |
The train will cover the route from Banaras to New Delhi, with a five-minute halt at Prayagraj and Kanpur Central. It will have shorter scheduled halts of two minutes at Aligarh and five minutes at Ghaziabad.
The inaugural special will therefore reach New Delhi approximately nine hours and 45 minutes after departing from Banaras, according to the announced timetable.
Key Stations Along the Route
The Vande Bharat Sleeper inaugural special will serve several important passenger centres across Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region.
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Banaras: The starting point of the inaugural journey, connecting the religious city of Varanasi with New Delhi.
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Prayagraj: The train will arrive at 6:00 pm and depart at 6:05 pm.
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Kanpur Central: The service will reach Kanpur at 8:05 pm and leave at 8:10 pm.
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Aligarh: The train will arrive at 11:20 pm and depart at 11:22 pm.
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Ghaziabad: The service will reach Ghaziabad at 1:10 am and leave at 1:15 am before proceeding towards New Delhi.
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New Delhi: The inaugural special is scheduled to arrive at 2:00 am on November 1.
These stops will provide passengers from the respective cities with an additional connection to the national capital through the new sleeper service.
Regular Train Schedule to Be Announced Later
The railway administration has clarified that the October 31 service will operate as an inaugural special under train number 02527. The regular operating schedule, including the commencement date and timetable of the scheduled Vande Bharat Sleeper Express service, will be announced separately at a later stage.
Passengers should therefore note that the timings currently available relate specifically to the inaugural special and should not be treated as the regular timetable of the train.
With the inaugural run from Banaras on October 31, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is set to add a new long-distance service option between Varanasi and New Delhi. Its route through Prayagraj, Kanpur, Aligarh and Ghaziabad will connect several important cities and offer passengers an additional travel alternative between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital.
