Fastest Vande Bharat Trains in India: Top 8 Quickest Routes, Travel Time and Maximum Speed

India’s Vande Bharat Express has transformed rail travel by offering faster journeys, modern amenities and improved passenger comfort. Built under the Make in India initiative, these semi-high-speed trains are designed to operate at speeds of up to 180 kmph, although the current maximum operational speed is 160 kmph on select routes due to track limitations.

Several Vande Bharat services now rank among the fastest trains in the country, significantly reducing travel time between major cities. Here’s a look at the eight fastest Vande Bharat routes in India, based on average speed and journey time.

1. New Delhi – Varanasi Vande Bharat Express

• Distance: 759 km
• Travel Time: Around 8 hours
• Average Speed: Nearly 95 kmph
• Top Speed: 160 kmph

One of the country’s flagship Vande Bharat services, this train connects the national capital with the holy city of Varanasi, cutting travel time by several hours compared to conventional trains.

2. New Delhi – Amb Andaura Vande Bharat Express

• Distance: 412 km
• Travel Time: About 5 hours 15 minutes
• Average Speed: Around 78 kmph
• Top Speed: 130–160 kmph

This service provides fast connectivity between Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, making travel to the hill state quicker and more comfortable.

3. Mumbai Central – Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express

• Distance: 522 km
• Travel Time: Around 6 hours 25 minutes
• Average Speed: About 81 kmph
• Top Speed: 130 kmph

Connecting Maharashtra’s financial capital with Gujarat’s capital city, this route is popular among business and leisure travellers alike.

4. Chennai – Mysuru Vande Bharat Express

• Distance: 497 km
• Travel Time: Around 6 hours 30 minutes
• Average Speed: About 76 kmph
• Top Speed: 130 kmph

The train offers seamless travel between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, benefiting tourists and daily commuters.

5. Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express

• Distance: 586 km
• Travel Time: Around 8 hours
• Average Speed: Nearly 73 kmph
• Top Speed: 110–130 kmph

Kerala’s first Vande Bharat has significantly improved connectivity across the state’s coastal corridor.

6. Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal) – Hazrat Nizamuddin Vande Bharat Express

• Distance: 701 km
• Travel Time: Around 7 hours 30 minutes
• Average Speed: Nearly 94 kmph
• Top Speed: 160 kmph

Often regarded as one of India’s fastest Vande Bharat services, this train links Bhopal with Delhi in record time.

7. Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express

• Distance: 699 km
• Travel Time: Around 8 hours 30 minutes
• Average Speed: About 82 kmph
• Top Speed: 130 kmph

The train has emerged as a preferred option for travellers between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

8. Howrah – New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express

• Distance: 564 km
• Travel Time: Around 7 hours 30 minutes
• Average Speed: About 75 kmph
• Top Speed: 130–160 kmph

This route has drastically reduced travel time from Kolkata to North Bengal, making it popular among tourists heading to Darjeeling, Sikkim and the Northeast.

Why Vande Bharat trains are faster

Vande Bharat trains feature rapid acceleration and deceleration, allowing them to maintain higher average speeds even with multiple stops. They are equipped with advanced safety features, automatic doors, GPS-based passenger information systems, onboard Wi-Fi, bio-vacuum toilets and comfortable reclining seats, offering an airline-like travel experience.

As Indian Railways continues to upgrade tracks and signalling infrastructure, more Vande Bharat trains are expected to operate at their full design speed, further reducing journey times and strengthening high-speed rail connectivity across the country.