Express Trains In India – High speed Bullet & Fastest Trains
Indian Railways, overseen by the Ministry of Railways, manages India’s vast rail network, which spans 108,706 km and operates over 13,000 trains per day. While classified “high speed” lines support speeds of over 160 km/h, India lacks high speed rail (HSR) lines that run over 200 km/h and suitable for express trains in India.
Currently, the fastest trains, the Gatimaan Express, Vande Bharat Express, and RapidX, achieve speeds of up to 160 km/h. Historically, speeds have increased with advances in steam, diesel, and electric traction, reaching 160 km/h by the 2010s. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR corridor, with a design speed of 350 km/h, is under construction and is intended to be fully operational by 2028–29. This marks India’s entry into true HSR with eight additional corridors proposed for future development.
History Of High Speed Trains India
The history of Indian Railways shows a progressive journey in speed and technology from its inception, with proposals to build a railway in 1832 to the present. Early trains, such as the Red Hill Line in 1837, were powered by steam engines, which achieved modest speeds. By 1853, the first passenger train between Bombay and Thane reached 57 km/h.
Innovations such as electric and diesel locomotives in the mid-20th century increased speeds to 130 km/h by 1980, exemplified by the Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express services. High speed rail ambitions emerged in the 2000s, leading to the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, which included Shinkansen trains with a capacity of 320 km/h. Recent developments include the Vande Bharat trains, which run at 160 km/h, and the introduction of RapidX services, which reach 180 km/h. You can use train speed test speedometer to check the speed of your train you are travelling in.
Definitions
Railway speed ratings vary by standard. In India, the Ministry of Railways defines “high speed” or semi-high speed rail lines as those capable of supporting express trains in India running at speeds between 160–200 km/h (100–125 mph), while lines with speeds below 160 km/h (100 mph) fall under conventional rail. In contrast, the International Union of Railways (IUC) considers rail lines to be high speed if they achieve speeds of 250 km/h (155 mph) on newly built lines or 200 km/h (125 mph) on upgraded lines.
This distinction indicates different standards for speed ratings globally, with India’s current focus primarily on semi high speed rail systems as it works towards the development of true high speed networks.
What is Express Trains In India
An express train is a type of passenger trains with minimal or no stops to make point to point travel in minimum possible time. Some times such trains has no in between stops, they starts their journey from its first station and stops at the final destination with having a stop in between and sometimes it has few stops on the major stations or railway junctions and this makes express trains in India as a major choice for travelers who want to cover distance in short time with economical prices.
Top Fastest Trains in India
Here is a list of trains that are among the best train in India and most of them operate as express trains in India with fewer stops.
Express Trains In India
Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat Express is a semi high speed, air-conditioned train service of express trains in India, connecting cities within 10 hours of travel time. Part of the “Make in India” initiative, it started in 2019 and uses self-propelled electric multiple unit (EMU) trainsets designed by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.
It reaches a maximum operational speed of 160 mph with state-of-the-art onboard features like bio-vacuum toilets, CCTV, swivel seats, and passenger information systems. Offering two classes—Executive and Chair Car—ensures a quick, comfortable journey with onboard catering. Sleeper versions are being developed for longer distances.
Gatimaan Express
Gatiman Express is a semi high speed express trains in India that connects Delhi and Jhansi, covering a distance of 403 km in 4 hours and 25 minutes. Launched in 2016, it operates at a top speed of 160 km/h (temporarily increased to 130 km/h in 2024 for safety upgrades). Equipped with a 5,400 HP locomotive and 12 coaches. It runs six days a week and is known for its speed and efficiency.
Shatabdi Express
Shatabdi Express is a series of high speed express trains in India, fully air-conditioned day trains operated by high speed rail India, offering city-to-city connectivity with limited stops. Launched in 1988, it operates at a speed of 150 mph, with onboard catering, reservations, and dynamic pricing.
Trains include AC chair car, executive class, and select routes with Anubhuti or Vistadome coaches. Powered by modern LHB racks and high speed engines, they ensure comfort and efficiency.
Rajdhani Express
Rajdhani Express is a premium train service of Indian Railways, connecting New Delhi to state capitals or major cities. Launched in 1969, it offers fully air-conditioned sleeper coaches in first-class, two-tier and three-tier configurations. Operating at a speed of 130 kmph, it ensures priority over the railway network.
Recently, upgraded Tejas coaches with modern facilities like Wi-Fi, fire alarm, and passenger information system have been introduced, which has increased travel comfort. Renowned for speed, reliability and luxury, Rajdhani Express epitomizes efficient long-distance travel in India and a vital player among the express trains in India.
Sealdah Rajdhani Express
Sealdah – New Delhi Rajdhani Express is a premium train connecting Kolkata (Sealeda) to New Delhi. Launched in 2000 to meet growing demand, this is the third Rajdhani service on the route. Operating at a maximum speed of 130 kmph, it is powered by WAP-7 locomotives and features LHB coaches for enhanced comfort.
Key stops include Durgapur, Asansol, and Kanpur. While efforts are aimed at increasing the speed to 160 kmph under Mission Raftaar, the progress is uncertain. It ranks as the second most preferred train on this corridor after Howrah Capital.
Tejas Express
The Tejas Express, introduced in 2017, is a semi high speed rail India operating at up to 130 km/h, connecting cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Lucknow, and New Delhi. It offers modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, bio-vacuum toilets, LED TVs, and gourmet menus, ensuring a luxurious travel experience. Managed by Indian Railways and IRCTC, it represents India’s push for faster and more comfortable rail services. It is one of the express trains in India.
In 2017, India signed MOU with FS group of Italy a company that plays a vital role in improvement of high speed rail Italy. The MOU was mainy to enhance the safety in the trains of India.
Double Decker Express
Double-decker express trains, introduced by the Indian Railways, are designed to increase passenger capacity on short routes. Provides level seating. They use stainless steel LHB coaches and are fully air-conditioned. Notable trains include the Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Chennai-Bangalore, and Visakhapatnam-Tirupati services.
Habibganj Shatabdi Express
The Rani Kamlapati (Habibganj) New Delhi Shatabdi Express is a high speed train operated by Northern Railway, connecting Rani Kamlapati station in Bhopal with New Delhi. Introduced in 1988, it was the first Shatabdi Express, running at a top speed of 150 kmph. Known for its speed and efficiency, the train completes the journey with minimal stops and is planned to increase its speed further.
Sealdah Duronto Express
Sealdah – Bikaner Duronto Express is a premium high-speed train operated by Indian Railways, connecting Sealdah (Kolkata) to Bikaner. Covering a distance of 1,921 km in about 25 hours, it passes through major cities like New Delhi and Kanpur. Famous for its speed, the train consists of AC coaches and a pantry car. Initially running between Sealdah and New Delhi, it was extended to Bikaner in 2020. It was briefly shut down in 2021 due to a pandemic but soon resumed operations.
Humsafar Express
Humsafar Express is a premium long-distance express trains in India operated by Indian Railways, offering AC-3 tier and sleeper class coaches with modern amenities. Introduced in 2016, it has facilities like bio-toilets, vending machines, CCTV, smoke alarms, GPS displays and privacy curtains. Fares are slightly higher than normal trains, and the service connects major cities across India with several weekly or bi-weekly routes.
Prayagraj–New Delhi Humsafar Express
The Prayagraj – New Delhi Humsafar Express is a superfast train operated by the North Central Zone of the Indian Railways. It runs between Prayagraj Junction and New Delhi, covering long distances with minimal stops. Originally introduced as the Duronto Express in 2010, it was renamed the Humsafar Express in 2019. The train has modern LHB coaches, including 15 AC-3 tiers and 4 sleeper coaches, with amenities like CCTV cameras, information displays, and superior passenger comfort. . It is known to be the first Humsafar Express with sleeper coaches and has a technical halt at Tindla Junction only for crew changes.
Mumbai Rajdhani Express
Mumbai Rajdhani Express (12951/12952) is a premium, high speed service connecting Mumbai Central and New Delhi. It covers a distance of 1386 km in 15.5 hours, making it the fastest Rajdhani Express with an average speed of 90 kmph. Originally introduced in 1972, it was upgraded to the Tejas Rajdhani Express in 2021, featuring modern LHB Tejas coaches. The train operates daily, consisting of AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier, AC First Class, and Pantry coaches. It is pulled by WAP-7 electric locomotives, and its route includes important stops like Surat, Vadodara and Kota but it considers among the express trains in India with few stops.
Howrah Rajdhani Express
Howrah Rajdhani Express (12301/12302) is India’s first Rajdhani train, connecting Kolkata (Howrah) and New Delhi. It covers a distance of 1452 km in about 17 hours, making it one of the fastest trains on this route. The train runs daily except Sundays and is known for its premium service. Initially launched in 1969, it has undergone several upgrades, including LHB coaches and the introduction of Wi-Fi in 2013. A WAP-7 electric locomotive operates the train and stops at important stations like Asansol, Dhanbad and Kanpur. It has the highest priority on its route and is known for its speed and comfort.
Bandra Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express
Bandra Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express is a super fast express train that connects Mumbai (Bandra Terminus) and Delhi (Hazrat Nizamuddin). It covers a distance of 1367 km in 16 hours 45 minutes, making it India’s fastest Gharib Rath Express. The train has 15 AC three-tier coaches and 4 AC chair car coaches. It operates at an average speed of 82 mph, with a superfast surcharge included in the fare. Serving Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi, it is the second fastest train on the Mumbai-Delhi route.
Duronto Express
Duranto Express is a high speed, long-distance train service operated by Indian Railways, designed to connect major cities with a minimum of stops. Introduced in 2009, it initially ran non-stop between origin and destination stations but now includes limited stops. Duronto trains offer different classes of accommodation, including AC First Class, AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, and Sleeper Class. Known for its speed, comfort and food included in the fare, it is the second most preferred train in India. With 24 trains on various routes, Duronto Express serves cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Howrah and Chennai. It is on of the top speed express trains in India.
Garib Rath
Garib Rath (Poor Man’s Chariot) is a series of unfriered, air-conditioned trains operated by Indian Railways that offer affordable travel to the economically weaker sections. Launched in 2006, these trains mainly connect major cities on long-distance routes. These include AC 3-Tier and Economy coaches, with new LHB racks providing a more comfortable journey.
With advanced reservation requirements, Gharib Rath trains are designed to provide budget-friendly air-conditioned travel compared to regular trains. They serve multiple routes, including connections to cities like Amritsar, Pune, and Kolkata.
Sealdah New Delhi Durunto Express
Sealdah – Bikaner Duronto Express is a premium, non-stop express trains in India and operated by Indian Railways, connecting Sealdah to Bikaner in Kolkata. It covers a distance of 1,921 km in about 25 hours with an average speed of 76-77 kmph. The train consists of AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, and AC 3 Tier coaches with Pantry Car.
It passes through important stations like Dhanbad, Kanpur and New Delhi. Originally launched in 2009 as the New Delhi – Sealdah Duronto Express, it was extended to Bikaner in 2020. Despite a temporary suspension during the pandemic, it resumed service in June 2021.
Golden Temple Train India
The Golden Temple Train India is one of the superfast mail trains in India. It is one of the major train and runs on one of the most busiest tracks from Mumbai Central in Maharashtra to Amritsar Junction in Punjab.
This track was known as Frontier rail track and the train was also known as frontier Mail before partition and was key rout to connects Peshawar. After partition the track restricted to Amritsar and was functional till 1996. In 2020 It was reopen for operations and a new train consist of 29 LHB coaches and was lunched with the name of golden temple train India associated with Golden Temple in Amritsar. The top speed of the train is 130 KM/H.
|
Trains Name |
Max Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|
|
Vande Bharat Express |
180 |
|
Gatiman Express |
160 |
|
Shatabdi Express |
150 |
|
Rajdhani Express |
130-140 |
|
Sealdah Rajdhani Express |
130-140 |
|
Double-decker express |
110-130 |
|
Habibganj Shatabdi Express |
130 |
|
Prayagraj–New Delhi Humsafar Express |
130 |
|
Mumbai Rajdhani Express |
130-140 |
|
Howrah Rajdhani Express |
130-140 |
|
Bandra Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express |
130 |
|
Duranto Express |
130 |
|
Garib Rath |
130 |
|
Sealdah – Bikaner Duronto Express |
130 |
|
Tejas Express |
130-160 |
|
Sealdah Duronto Express |
130 |
|
Humsafar Express |
130 |
|
Golden Temple Train India |
130 |
India has made its rail made its rail network electrified and shifted from diesel and other ways of energy. It has made 96% of main rail network functional on electricity. While, some major powers in the world like high speed railway USA still rely on diesel and only 1% of its total railway network is on electricity. India has set an example for the world to shift towards nature friendly source of hydro-energy.
Conclusion
High speed rail India is progressing day by day. Indian Railways is set to introduce semi high speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express (180 km) and the Gatimaan Express (160 km), which enhance connectivity with modern amenities and efficient travel and serves as express Trains in India. While true high speed rail (350 km) is being prepared for 2028 along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, existing services like the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Tejas provide fast, reliable, and comfortable options. This transition reflects India’s growing focus on modernizing transportation while balancing affordability and luxury.