Kerala to Get New Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Faster Overnight Travel to Chennai and Bengaluru

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Transforming Kerala Overnight Travel.

Late-night railway platforms in Kerala have long told the same story: families settling in with bedding, professionals rushing after office hours, and long-distance passengers preparing for overnight journeys that often stretch unpredictably into the next day.

The proposed introduction of the New Vande Bharat Sleeper train from Kerala signals a shift in that routine. Indian Railways has confirmed plans to introduce sleeper versions of the Vande Bharat train across key long-distance corridors, with Kerala identified as a priority state. For travellers heading to major cities like Chennai and Bengaluru, the new service promises faster travel, better comfort, and more reliability.

What Is the New Vande Bharat Sleeper Train?

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is a long-distance, overnight adaptation of India’s semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express. Unlike the chair-car versions currently operating in Kerala, this train is designed exclusively for night travel.
Each trainset is expected to have 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, offering:
AC 3-tier
AC 2-tier
First Class AC
The total capacity is estimated at 800–850 passengers, with confirmed berths only, a key difference from conventional express trains.
Core features include automatic doors, improved sleeping berths, modern toilets, onboard CCTV, GPS-based passenger information systems, and the Kavach anti-collision safety system. The train is designed for speeds of up to 180 kmph, though operational speeds will vary based on track conditions.

Kerala’s Existing Vande Bharat Network

Kerala already operates multiple Vande Bharat Express services connecting Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod, and Mangaluru. These daytime services have reduced travel times and improved passenger experience but do not address overnight travel demand.
The sleeper version is expected to complement this network by targeting longer routes where passengers currently rely on slow trains, expensive flights, or overnight buses.

Proposed Sleeper Routes from Kerala (With Estimated Fares)

Thiruvananthapuram–Bengaluru

This route is among the most in-demand inter-state corridors from Kerala, heavily used by IT professionals, students, migrant workers, and medical travellers. Current train journeys can take 14–16 hours.
Estimated Vande Bharat Sleeper fares (one-way)

• AC 3-tier: ₹1,800–₹2,200
• AC 2-tier: ₹2,400–₹2,800
• First Class AC: ₹3,800–₹4,500. The train is expected to depart late evening and arrive early morning, reducing total travel time by several hours.

Thiruvananthapuram to Chennai

Chennai remains one of the most frequently travelled destinations from Kerala for healthcare, education, government services, and business. Despite multiple trains, confirmed tickets are often difficult to secure.Estimated fares:

• AC 3-tier: ₹1,600–₹2,000
• AC 2-tier: ₹2,200–₹2,600
• First Class AC: ₹3,500–₹4,200. Limited stops and faster average speeds are expected to make this a preferred overnight option.

Life on a Night Train

As a sleeper service, the Vande Bharat experience is focused less on scenery and more on rest and reliability. Climate-controlled coaches, reduced vibration, quieter interiors, and cleaner facilities are designed to help passengers sleep through the journey.
Food services are expected to follow the existing Vande Bharat model, with pre-booked meals and regional menu options. Based on current trends, Kerala-specific dishes are likely to see strong demand on these routes.

Practical Travel Information

• Advance booking will be crucial, especially during weekends and holidays
• Sleeper services are expected to operate without unreserved coaches
• Fares will be higher than conventional express trains but competitive with buses and flights
• Limited halts mean passengers should confirm boarding stations carefully.

Official schedules and final fare structures will be announced closer to launch.

What This Means for Kerala

The impact of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains on Kerala could be significant.
Tickets to Chennai and Bengaluru are consistently difficult to obtain, particularly during peak seasons, festival periods, and long weekends. When trains sell out, passengers often turn to private buses, where fares can surge sharply, sometimes costing more than flights. The sleeper train offers a regulated, safer alternative to this pricing pressure.
For Kerala’s tourism industry, better overnight connectivity means easier access for visitors from neighbouring states. Shorter travel times and comfortable night journeys can encourage more frequent trips, benefiting hotels, local transport operators, and destination towns.
There is also a broader environmental angle. High-quality, reliable long-distance trains reduce dependence on self-drive cars and overnight road travel. Over time, this shift can contribute to lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions, especially on heavily travelled inter-state routes.

A Measured Shift forward

The Vande Bharat Sleeper does not replace Kerala’s existing rail services, but it modernises a segment that has long needed attention. If implemented effectively, it could ease pressure on overbooked routes, offer fairer alternatives to costly bus travel, and strengthen Kerala’s links with key southern cities.
As travel patterns evolve, platforms like flemingoroutes.com are increasingly tracking how new rail corridors reshape tourism and regional mobility. The Vande Bharat Sleeper may soon become a reference point in how Kerala connects overnight—with speed, comfort, and greater predictability.

“This development comes after the launch of the Amrit Bharat Express in Kerala, further strengthening long-distance travel options.”