Vande Bharat vs. Shatabdi Train Comparison: Seats, Fares, Speed, and Amenities

Traveling on the Rajdhani Express was once considered one of the most premium experiences on Indian Railways. Thanks to high speed, air-conditioned coaches, long routes, and onboard amenities, Rajdhani held a special place for a long time. Then came Vande Bharat, which began to change perceptions of comfort and services in trains with its fast intercity runs. Vande Bharat is now also available in sleeper coaches. This article examines the specific differences between Rajdhani and Vande Bharat, and which train is better suited for a particular type of journey.

The Beginning of Premium Rail Travel with Rajdhani

The Rajdhani Express was launched in 1969 between New Delhi and Howrah. This train covered a distance of about 1450 kilometers in approximately 17 hours and 20 minutes. These trains connect the country's capital, New Delhi, with the capitals or major cities of various states, which is why the word 'Rajdhani' is in their name. Due to its high speed and long-distance travel in air-conditioned coaches, Rajdhani quickly became one of the most iconic trains of Indian Railways.

In contrast, travel on Vande Bharat is much newer. Its first commercial service began in February 2019 on the New Delhi-Varanasi route. This train covered a distance of about 759 kilometers in approximately 8 hours. It was initially named 'Train 18', but this name seemed foreign rather than Indian. This is why modern Indian trains were given the name 'Vande Bharat', which reflects both 'Self-Reliant India' and the talent of Indian engineers.

Who is Faster: Rajdhani or Vande Bharat?

When it comes to speed, Vande Bharat surpasses Rajdhani. Vande Bharat trains are designed to run at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour, and during trials, they reached speeds of up to 183 kilometers per hour. However, the efficiency of any train is not determined solely by its maximum speed. The total travel time can vary due to the route, track conditions, speed restrictions, traffic, stations, and stops. The maximum operational speed of the Rajdhani Express is usually around 130 kilometers per hour.

Which Train to Choose for Which Type of Journey?

There are no set distance limits for either train, but their usage models differ. Vande Bharat is primarily designed for fast intercity travel, connecting one city to another. There are many Vande Bharat routes where passengers can depart in the morning and arrive at their destination the same day. Rajdhani is known for its long-distance journeys. It is more often used for overnight travel because it provides sleeping accommodations for passengers. This makes the choice between them simpler depending on the distance and duration of the trip.

Standard Vande Bharat coaches feature 'Chair Car' and 'Executive Chair Car' seats, providing comfortable reclining seating. In the Executive Chair Car, passengers have more space, and in some rakes, the seats can rotate by 180 and 360 degrees. However, standard Vande Bharat coaches do not have traditional sleeping berths. Rajdhani Express offers First AC, Second AC, and Third AC classes. First AC provides greater privacy, similar to a cabin or compartment. Second AC has two-tier berths, and Third AC has three-tier berths.

The situation is beginning to change with the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper. The Vande Bharat Sleeper rake includes 16 air-conditioned sleeper coaches. This means passengers can now travel overnight using the new technology and amenities of Vande Bharat. Although there are still few Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, we expect to see more in the coming years. It is anticipated that Vande Bharat Sleeper trains may eventually replace Rajdhani trains. Nevertheless, the railway has not made any official statements on this matter.

What is the Difference in Catering Between the Two Trains?

Both trains provide meal services during long journeys, although the menu and service may differ depending on the train's route. On Vande Bharat, meals such as tea, breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner are offered via IRCTC according to the travel time. The menu includes items like poha, upma, paratha, sandwiches, cutlets, dal, vegetables, paneer, chicken, roti, rice, sweets, and beverages. In some Vande Bharat trains, food selection is optional. That is, if a passenger requires breakfast, lunch, or snacks on the train, they must select it when booking the ticket. If not, they do not select the meal option. Consequently, the ticket price is also determined by this choice. Since the Rajdhani journey is long, the meal schedule there is usually more extensive, including morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner. Additional items may be available in First AC.

Technological Superiority of Vande Bharat over Rajdhani

If considering only acceleration capability, Vande Bharat trains clearly outperform the Rajdhani Express. The reason lies in the fundamental design of both trains. Vande Bharat is a self-propelled unit. This means that an additional locomotive is not required to pull the entire rake; the motors are installed directly in the coaches that drive the train.

When traveling by train, passengers rarely think about what the seats are made of, even though they may look simple on the outside. However, special materials are used in them to ensure comfort. The question arises whether the seats are filled with cotton wool or if foam is used.

To give the seats softness, only cotton wool is usually not used. Depending on the type of train and the seat design, foam, cushioning fillers, and other supporting materials may be used. The seat surface is covered with a fabric or vinyl cover to ensure its long service life. The material inside the seat is chosen in such a way as to minimize discomfort for the passenger during long journeys. Since many people sit on the trains daily, the seat must be not only soft but also strong and durable.

If you have traveled in a sleeper compartment, you have probably noticed the special cushioning on the seats and bunks. During the day, these seats are used for sitting, and at night they transform into bunks. Therefore, the material used inside must retain its properties despite frequent use. This is why the seat filling in a train differs from ordinary home sofas or mattresses; it is developed taking into account constant operation, weight, and travel conditions.

The strength of the seat is ensured not only by the filled foam or cushions. A base and supporting structure are also located underneath it. This part gives the seat stability and can withstand the weight of passengers. Cushioning is installed on top of this base, and then the entire seat is covered with a cover. That is why the seat looks like an ordinary cushion on the outside, although it may use many layers inside.

Although cotton wool is quite soft, under constant pressure, it can change shape and become compressed over time. Train seats are used very intensively every day. Therefore, materials that can maintain their shape and strength for a long time are more useful.

Thus, the next time you sit on a train seat, remember that it is not just filled with cotton wool. For the seat to be comfortable, strong, and durable, fillers, foam, and a reliable support structure are used. This small detail makes the long journey a little more comfortable for passengers.

During journeys, passengers usually pay attention to speed, schedule, and amenities; however, the faster the train moves, the more serious the safety issue becomes. This is especially relevant in conditions where the railway is preparing to expand its network of semi-high-speed and high-speed trains in the country. Therefore, it is crucial not only to accelerate train movement but also to ensure that the safety system operates quickly and reliably in case of danger.

As part of this process, Indian Railways has taken an important step. On the Hazrat Nizamuddin – Palwal route, a 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper train was run at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour to test the 'Kavach' safety system. During these tests, special attention was paid to the communication system between the train and the station.

The North Western Railway conducted this high-speed test between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Palwal. For the first time on this section, the 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper train was launched at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. According to the report, the train departed from Hazrat Nizamuddin on September 9th around 13:38 and arrived at Palwal at 14:21. After a stop of approximately 31 minutes, the train departed again at 14:52 and returned to Hazrat Nizamuddin at 15:32.

Approximately 50 kilometers were covered between the two stations during this movement. However, the train did not move continuously at 160 kilometers per hour across the entire route. Construction work was underway on the Faridabad main line, and both main lines were closed. As a result, the train traveled on a loop line, and its speed had to be reduced when passing through stations.

The purpose of this high-speed run was not only to test the speed of the Vande Bharat Sleeper. The Kavach communication system was also tested during the trials. According to the report, communication between the driver and the station remained uninterrupted throughout the journey. Railway representatives stated that no communication failures were observed. This system is considered critically important when operating trains at high speeds.

Kavach is an indigenous automatic train protection system of Indian Railways. Its function is to provide the driver with necessary warnings during movement and enhance the level of safety in case of a threat. If necessary, this system can automatically brake the train. The goal of Kavach is to minimize risks associated with signal violations, train collisions, and human error. In January, the Ministry of Railways announced that the Kavach complex developed in the country has been installed in the Vande Bharat Sleeper train.

According to officials, the high-speed check was successful. Previously, about 30 such tests were conducted on the New Delhi – Palwal route. Now, Indian Railways is working on a large-scale expansion of the Kavach system across its network. This is important for the railway because the number of high-speed trains is planned to increase in the future. Under such conditions, simply increasing the train's speed is not enough; the safety technology must be equally reliable. This Vande Bharat Sleeper test is considered an important step in this direction.