Bengaluru–Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express Flagged Off By PM Modi: Check Ticket Prices, Stops, and Return Timing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Banaras Railway Station on Saturday morning, further expanding India's semi-high-speed rail network. The new trains will connect Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes, enhancing connectivity across northern and southern India.

In Kerala, a simultaneous ceremony was held at Ernakulam South Railway Station, attended by Governor Rajendralekar, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, and several state ministers, MPs, and MLAs.

Third Vande Bharat Service for Kerala

The newly launched Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express is the third such service for Kerala and the 12th pair within the Southern Railway network. Initially, the train will operate up to Bengaluru only, with regular full-scale services expected soon.

This eight-coach train departs from KSR Bengaluru Station at 5:10 am, reaching Ernakulam by 1:50 pm. The return journey begins at 2:20 pm, arriving in Bengaluru at 11:00 pm.

Ticket Fares and Compariosns

The fare for the Ernakulam-Bengaluru route is ₹1,095 for a chair car and ₹2,289 for an executive chair car, excluding meal charges, reservation fees, and GST.

In comparison, last year's special service on the same route had higher rates - ₹1,465 (chair car) and ₹2,945 (executive).

Fares vary by destination. For passengers travelling from Ernakulam, prices range from ₹566 to Salem, ₹806 to Coimbatore, and ₹1,009 to Thrissur. In the reverse direction, tickets from Thrissur to Bengaluru cost ₹293, rising to ₹1,079 from KR Puram for chair cars.

Competing Train Options

Other trains on the Bengaluru-Ernakulam route offer varied fares. The Bengaluru-Ernakulam Intercity Express provides an AC chair car for ₹790, while the Bengaluru-Kanyakumari Express ranges from ₹915 (3E) to ₹2,350 (1A).
The Yeshwanthpura-Thiruvananthapuram AC Express is priced between ₹1,030 (3A) and ₹2,405 (1A), showing that the new Vande Bharat remains competitive in pricing while offering faster travel and enhanced comfort.

Stops and Timings

The Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express halts at six stations.

Up journey: KSR Bengaluru (5:10 am), Salem (8:13 am), Erode (9:00 am), Tiruppur (9:45 am), Coimbatore (10:33 am), Palakkad (11:28 am), Thrissur (12:28 pm), Ernakulam (1:50 pm).

Return journey: Ernakulam (2:20 pm), Thrissur (3:17 pm), Palakkad (4:35 pm), Coimbatore (5:20 pm), Tiruppur (6:03 pm), Erode (6:45 pm), Salem (7:18 pm), Krishnarajapuram (10:23 pm), Bengaluru (11:00 pm).

Strengthening India's Rail Network

The introduction of these four new Vande Bharat Express trains underscores the government's continued focus on modernising India's railways and improving intercity connectivity.

By linking key regional hubs such as Banaras, Khajuraho, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Firozpur, Delhi, Ernakulam, and Bengaluru, the initiative is expected to boost economic activity, tourism, and business travel while offering passengers a faster, more comfortable experience.