Indian Railways is preparing to roll out the Vande Bharat Sleeper train, marking an important step in the expansion of its premium long-distance rail services. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is scheduled to operate on the Howrah–Kamakhya corridor, connecting Howrah with Kamakhya over a distance of approximately 958 kilometres. This new service is expected to significantly enhance overnight travel comfort on one of eastern India’s key rail routes.
There has been strong passenger curiosity regarding the fare structure of this sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat train. According to sources, the fare for the Third Air-Conditioned (3AC) class for the full journey from Howrah to Kamakhya has been set at ₹2,299. For passengers travelling shorter distances, the 3AC fare from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri will be ₹1,334, while those travelling from Howrah to Malda Town will pay ₹960.
In the Second Air-Conditioned (2AC) category, the fare from Howrah to Kamakhya has been fixed at ₹2,970. Passengers travelling between Howrah and New Jalpaiguri in 2AC will be charged ₹1,724, whereas the fare for travel up to Malda Town in the same class will be ₹1,240. These fares position the sleeper Vande Bharat as a premium but competitive option compared to existing long-distance trains.
For those opting for the First Air-Conditioned (1AC) class, the fare for the entire Howrah–Kamakhya journey has been set at ₹3,640. Passengers travelling from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri in 1AC will have to pay ₹2,113, while the fare from Howrah to Malda Town will be ₹1,520. The 1AC category is expected to cater to travellers seeking higher privacy and comfort on overnight journeys.
Fare details have also been finalised for passengers travelling between intermediate stations. According to sources, the fare between Kamakhya and Malda Town has been fixed at ₹1,522 for 3AC, ₹1,965 for 2AC, and ₹2,409 for 1AC. Similarly, for travel between Kamakhya and New Jalpaiguri, passengers will pay ₹962 in 3AC, ₹1,243 in 2AC, and ₹1,524 in 1AC.
In addition to the base ticket price, passengers will be required to pay an extra 5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the fare. Indian Railways has also stipulated that a minimum distance of 400 kilometres will be considered for fare calculation on premium Vande Bharat Sleeper services, ensuring consistency in pricing across long-distance routes.
