Bengaluru to Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train set to begin services in October 2026

India's second Vande Bharat Sleeper train service is scheduled to begin operations in October 2026, linking KSR Bengaluru with Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The semi-high-speed overnight connection is designed to bridge the country's major tech and financial hubs with significantly reduced transit times.

The introduction of the overnight sleeper link addresses a long-standing demand for faster rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Existing express trains on the corridor typically take upwards of 24 hours, whereas the new service aims to complete the journey in less than 16 hours, making business and leisure travel between the two metros substantially more efficient.

According to the proposed timetable, train number 27652 will depart from KSR Bengaluru at 10 pm and arrive at Mumbai CSMT at 1:50 pm the following day. On the reverse direction, train number 27651 is scheduled to leave Mumbai CSMT at 10:30 pm, reaching KSR Bengaluru at 2:50 pm the next afternoon.

The service will operate six days a week. The southbound train from Mumbai will run every day except Tuesday, while the northbound service from Bengaluru will operate every day except Monday. Two dedicated Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets have been allocated to maintain the schedule.

The route will traverse through Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune, and Kalyan. Railway planning authorities opted for the alignment via Kalaburagi as it features fewer curves and permits maximum operational speeds of up to 130 kmph on designated sections. Solapur and Pune stations have been designated for rake maintenance, watering, and cleaning operations.

Onboard amenities on the new trainsets include automatic exterior sliding doors, CCTV surveillance for passenger security, and modern bio-vacuum toilets. Passengers will also benefit from digital information display boards, sensor-activated water taps, mobile charging sockets at every berth, and structured catering services.

South Western Railway officials noted that while operational planning is in its final stages, exact fare structures and formal ticket-booking windows will be notified by Indian Railways prior to commercial commencement. Existing traffic density along the corridor means scheduling adjustments for a number of regular passenger trains running on the route are currently under review by railway authorities.