Top 10 Super Fast and High Speed Trains of India

Gone are those days when Indian trains used to take many hours or even days to reach a particular destination. With the passage of time, the introduction of superfast and high-speed trains of India left everybody in a state of awe. Passengers can now reach their desired destination within the shortest duration of time. In order to make the journey more enjoyable and quick, Indian Railways is eager to increase the speed of some of the iconic trains of India.

The dream of the bullet train in India was realized with the launch of Train 18 aka Vande Bharat Express. Interestingly its trail run was also successful as the new train ran at speed of 180 km/hr. However, there is still some time to board this fastest engineless train. As for now, have a look at these popular trains in India running at a tremendous speed.

Gatimaan Express (New Delhi-Agra)

Traveling at a speed of 160 km/h, the Gatimaan Express is the latest addition on the list of fastest trains in India. Presently, the train covers its 200 km long journey in 105 minutes. Since the iconic Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday, the train doesn’t run on this day. Initially introduced to run from Delhi up to Agra, the train now takes passengers on an extended route which leads to Jhansi.

Train Number: 12049/12050

The train stops at: Nizamuddin, Delhi – Agra Cantt. – Gwalior Junction – Jhansi

Runs on: Saturday – Thursday

Coaches: Out of a total of 10 coaches, two are executive AC chair car and rest eight are AC chair car.

Facilities: GPS-based passenger information system, bio-toilets, fire alarms, sliding doors, free Wi-Fi and multimedia content, train hostesses and both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals in North Indian and South Indian variations

Mumbai Rajdhani Express

There was a time when Rajdhani Express used to be the fastest trains in the country. But, with the introduction of other high-speed trains in India, these trains faced strong competition. Nevertheless, there are still some of the Rajdhani Express trains that are maintaining the old glory. Standing amongst the rest is the Mumbai Rajdhani Express. With a speed of 140 km/h, the train completes the journey between Mumbai Central and New Delhi in 15 hours 42 minutes.

Train Number: 12951/12952

The train stops at: Mumbai Central – Borivali – Surat – Vadodara Junction – Ratlam Junction – Nagda Junction – Kota Junction – New Delhi

Runs on: Daily

Coaches: The train has 20 coaches. Out of which one coach is a first A/C coach, five are 2 tier A/C Coach and eleven are 3 tier A/C coach. Two generator-cum-luggage coaches and one pantry coach and are also attached.

Facilities: Plug-in sockets, Wi-Fi, clean and hygienic sheets complete with a blanket and a pillow, On-board catering, friendly staff, snacks, appetizers, desserts and morning tea

Habibganj (Bhopal) – New Delhi Shatabdi Express

Next name on the list superfast trains in India is New Delhi Bhopal Shatabdi Express. Eventually, after the introduction of Train 18 aka Vande Bharat Express, the train ranks on the third position. The prestigious train chases 707 km distance in 8 hours 25 minutes at a mind-blowing speed of 155 km/h. However, sleeper class is not available and thus passengers have to complete their journey in chair cars.

Train Number: 12001/12002

The train stops at: New Delhi – Mathura Jn. – Agra Cantonment – Dholpur – Morena – Gwalior – Jhansi Jn. – Lalitpur Jn. – Bhopal Jn. – Habibganj

Runs on: Daily

Coaches: The train has 2 AC First class, 14 AC Chair cars and 2 power cars. Thus, a total of 18 coaches are available.

Facilities: Fully air-conditioned, snacks, coffee/tea, meals, a one-liter water bottle / 300ml packaged water

Sealdah Duronto Express

There is an incessant bond between Sealdah and New Delhi and the name is Sealdah Duronto Express. Reckoned as the most time-efficient and the fastest, the non-stop train takes 16 hours 55 minutes to travel 1452 km. On the contrary, the train running in reverse direction has four stops en route and finishes its voyage in 21 hours. As a matter of fact, the speed of the train is 135.18 km/h.

Train Number: 12259/12260

The train stops at: The train with number 12260 stops at New Delhi – Kanpur Central – Pt. DD Upadhyaya Jn. (Mughalsarai Jn.) – Dhanbad Jn. – Sealdah. On the other hand, the train with number 12259 from Sealdah to New Delhi has no stops en route.

Runs on: 12259 – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday

12560 – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

Coaches: One AC first class coach, four AC 2 tier coaches, nine AC 3 tier coaches and 2 Pantry car coaches are the part of the train.

Facilities: Snacks, meals, water, tea and coffee

Kanpur Reverse Shatabdi

Another gem of the Indian Railways is the Kanpur Reverse Shatabdi Express. Also known as the New Delhi Kanpur Shatabdi Express, the train got its name for following the reverse timetable of Lucknow Shatabdi. Because of the huge crowd on the latter one, the Indian Railways was compelled to bestow the former one. Running at a speed of 140 km/h, the train takes 5 hours to travel 437 km meanwhile halting at 3 stops. Again there is no sleeper class facility available because of the shorter journey.

Train Number: 12033/12034

The train stops at: 12033: Kanpur Central – Etawah – Aligarh – Ghaziabad – New Delhi

12034: New Delhi – Ghaziabad – Etawah – Kanpur Central

Runs on: Monday – Saturday

Coaches: The train has a total of 15 coaches. There are 12 ac chair car coaches and 1 executive class coach

Facilities: Morning/evening snacks, bottled water, tea and coffee, soup, meals, ice-cream

Luxury Trains

Decked with elegant interiors and showcasing world-class opulence, the luxury trains of India has added a new dimension in traveling. Embarking on these Indian luxury trains is worth spending a fortune. Furthermore, you can soak-in the comforts of the trains moving with a fantastic speed and travel like a royal. The meticulously designed sojourns offered by these trains are as intriguing as the destination itself. Above all, the trains allow you to explore the top tourist attractions in India in the lap of luxury.

Trains Name: Maharajas’ Express, Palace on Wheels, The Deccan Odyssey, The Golden Chariot, Fairy Queen

The trains stop at: Depending upon the itinerary you choose, these luxury trains in India stop at the following stations.

Maharajas’ Express: Mumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi – Fatehpur Sikri – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Lucknow – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Balasinor – Ratnagiri – Goa – Hampi – Mysore – Cochin – Kumarakom – Trivandrum – Chettinad/Karaikudi – Mahabalipuram

Palace on Wheels: Delhi – Jaipur – Sawai Madhopur – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Bharatpur – Agra

The Deccan Odyssey: Mumbai – Nasik – Ellora Cave – Ajanta Caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Ratnagiri – Delhi – Sawai Madhopur – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Vadodara – Palitana – Sasan Gir – Somnath – Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera – Patan – Jodhpur – Bijapur – Aihole – Pattadakal – Hampi – Hyderabad –  Aurangabad – Ramtek – Tadoba

The Golden Chariot: Bangalore – Kabini – Mysore – Hassan – Hampi – Badami – Goa – Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Madurai – Thiruvananthapuram – Alleppey – Kochi

Fairy Queen: Delhi – Alwar – Rewari

Runs on: Most of the journeys of Maharajas’ Express can be chosen between October and April. However, the train provides two of its sojourns from September onwards till April. Talking about the Palace on Wheels, it starts operating from September and offers services till April. Again, much like the Maharajas’ Express, the months of operation of Deccan Odyssey are from October to April. Similarly, the Golden Chariot runs from October to March. Unlike others, the Fairy Queen Express runs on every 2^nd & 4^th Saturday morning.

Coaches: The Maharajas’ Express has a total of 23 carriages, out of which 14 are guest carriages. The Palace on Wheels also has 14 guest coaches. The 11 coaches of the Golden Chariot are named after the dynasties of the bygone era. The Deccan Odyssey comes with 12 guest accommodation coaches. Fairy Queen boasts of two coaches.

Facilities: Well-stocked bar, a mini gym, restaurants, a lounge bar, and conference, spa facilities, onboard internet connectivity, live television service in the cabins, large glass windows from where you can gaze at mesmerizing views.

Nizamuddin – Bandra Garib Rath

With 7 stops en route, the Nizamuddin – Bandra Garib Rath takes 16 hours and 30 minutes to travel a distance of 1,366 km. The speed of the train being 130 km/h makes it rank amongst the fastest Garib Rath express trains in India. Though the seats and berths are narrower, the train features more of them than the usual. Also, the train is different from the others in a way that it provides cheaper air-conditioned travel to the passengers.

Train Number: 12909/12910

The train stops at: H. Nizamuddin – Mathura Jn. – Kota Jn. – Ratlam Jn. – Dahod – Vadodara Jn. – Surat – Borivali – Bandra Terminus

Runs on: 12909 – Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

12910 – Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Coaches: There are 16 AC 3-tier & 4 AC Chair Car coaches in the train. However, it does not have a Pantry Car Coach.

Facilities: Air-conditioned coaches, less fare

Howrah Rajdhani Express

Hailed as the ‘King of India’, the Howrah Rajdhani Express is amongst the highest ranked trains of the Indian Railways. Surprisingly, the train is the first Rajdhani Express in India, first fully air-conditioned train and also the first one to have Wi-Fi service. Moreover, the train also helps in exploring some of the destinations that complete the Buddhist circuit in India. Counted as one of the fastest trains in India, it travels at a speed of 130 km/h. Hence it covers 1,451 km in 17 hours 10 minutes.

Train Number: 12301/12302 (via Gaya Jn.) and 12305/12306 (via Patna Jn.)

The train stops at: 12301/12302: New Delhi – Kanpur Central – Allahabad Jn. (Prayagraj Jn.)– Mughal Sarai Jn. (Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn.) – Gaya Jn. – Parasnath – Dhanbad Jn. – Howrah Jn.

12305/12306: Howrah Jn – Barddhaman Jn. – Madhupur Jn. – Jasidih Jn. – Patna Jn. – Mughal Sarai Jn. (Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn.) – Allahabad Jn. (Prayagraj Jn.) – Kanpur Central – New Delhi

Runs on: 12301/12302: Monday – Saturday

12305/12306: Sunday

Coaches: The trains has 2 First AC, 5 AC 2-Tiers, up to 10 AC 3-Tiers, 1 AC Hot Buffet Car (i.e. Pantry Car).

Facilities: Free Wii facility, snacks, meals, tea/coffee, clean and hygienic bed sheets with blanket and pillow

Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad AC Double Decker Express

Whether or not you might have heard of the BEST double-decker buses but there is a train that you must know about. The Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad AC Double Decker Express follows the trail between the two popular cities in India at a speed of 130 km/h. Because of its exteriors wrapped with vinyl wrapping advertisements of Savlon soap, the train can be identified from a distance. Further, through these advertisements, the ‘branded’ train of the Indian Railways promotes the Savlon Swasth India Mission. Passing via 8 of its halting stations, the train brings the 491 km journey to an end in 7 hours.

Train Number: 12931/12932

The train stops at: Ahmedabad Jn. – Nadiad Jn. – Anand Jn. – Vadodara Jn. – Bharuch Jn. – Surat – Navsari – Valsad – Vapi – Borivali – Mumbai Central

Runs on: Monday – Saturday

Coaches: The trains comprises of 12 AC chair car coaches.

Facilities: Air-conditioned, large windows

Maharashtra Sampark Kranti Express

The bi-weekly Maharashtra Sampark Kranti Express with its speed of 110 km/h is one of the fastest trains of India. The distance of 1,366 km between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Bandra Terminus gets covered in 20 hours aboard the train. It is the fastest Sampark Kranti Express and has 3 halts only.

Train Number: 12907/12908

The train stops at: H. Nizamuddin – Kota Jn. – Vadodara Jn. – Borivali – Bandra Terminus

Runs on: 12907: Sunday and Wednesday

12908: Monday and Thursday

Coaches: The train has It has 1 second ac coach, 10 sleeper coaches, 5 third ac coaches and 3 second seating unreserved coaches. A pantry car coach is also attached to the train.

Facilities: Snacks, tea/coffee, meals, etc.

While train traveling in India, do consider these superfast and high sped trains for a quick and comfortable journey.

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