Forget the Rajdhani legacy; there’s a new “King of the Tracks” taking over. As of Monday, January 12, 2026, the Indian Railways has officially laid out the rulebook for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express.
The thing is, this isn’t just a train with beds. It’s a total overhaul of how we travel overnight. Or nothing. Let’s be real, the removal of the waiting list is going to be a shock to the system for most Indian travelers. Those too.
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The “Sleeper” Log: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where the first route—Howrah to Guwahati (Kamakhya)—is set to be flagged off by PM Modi this Saturday, January 17, 2026.1
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The “Premium” Price Tag: 3AC starts at ₹2.4 per km.2 The thing is, for the full Howrah-Guwahati run (approx. 1,000 km), you’re looking at ₹2,400 for 3AC, ₹3,100 for 2AC, and ₹3,800 for 1AC.3 And then there’s the kicker—that’s without GST.
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No More “Adjusting”: The Railway Board has dropped a bombshell. No RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation). No waiting lists. Only fully confirmed tickets. The thing is, they want to treat each berth like “premium inventory,” more like an airline seat than a traditional train coach.
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The 400km Minimum: Even if you’re only going 100km, you’re paying for 400km.4 That’s a minimum “entry fee” of ₹960 for the 3AC tier.5
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Tech-First Refunds: They are pushing for 100% digital payments at the window. The thing is, if you pay digitally, they’re promising a refund within 24 hours if you cancel.
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Vande Bharat Sleeper vs. Rajdhani Express
| Feature | Vande Bharat Sleeper (2026) | Rajdhani Express |
| Base Fare (3AC) | ₹2.4 / km | ~₹2.1 / km |
| Booking Status | Confirmed Only (No RAC/WL) | RAC & Waiting List Allowed |
| Max Speed | 180 kmph (Operational: 130) | ~130 kmph |
| Technology | Kavach, Bio-Vacuum Toilets | Standard Safety & Bio-Toilets |
Route Details: Howrah ↔ Kamakhya (Inaugural)
[Table: Inaugural Schedule for Train 27575/27576]
| Direction | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| Howrah → Kamakhya | 18:20 (6:20 PM) | 08:20 (Next Day) | 14 Hours |
| Kamakhya → Howrah6 | 18:15 (6:15 PM)7 | 08:15 (Next Day)8 | 14 Hours9 |
And Here’s the Kicker…
The food menu is going “hyper-local.” The thing is, if you’re starting from Howrah, expect traditional Bengali delicacies; if you’re coming from Guwahati, it’s all about authentic Assamese cuisine.10 And then there’s the 1AC—it actually includes a shower cubicle.11 Let’s be real, at ₹3,800 a ticket, people are going to expect that “private jet on tracks” feel.
It’s an ongoing situation where the Railways plans to have 12 more sleepers ready by the end of 2026.12 This isn’t just a replacement for the Rajdhani; it’s a direct challenge to the domestic airlines on the 1,000-km routes.
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