Rajdhani or Vande Bharat: Find out which train is best for your journey and what amenities each offers..
Vande Bharat vs. Rajdhani Express: Both the Rajdhani Express and Vande Bharat Express are premium services within the Indian Railways network, yet they differ significantly in their origins and objectives. In fact, rather than being rivals, they have been designed to cater to distinct travel needs and distances.
The country's first Rajdhani Express was launched in 1969, running between New Delhi and Howrah. Its primary objective was to connect the national capital, Delhi, with the capitals of various states and major cities through fast, comfortable overnight journeys.
India's first semi-high-speed indigenous train, the Vande Bharat Express, was launched in February 2019, operating between New Delhi and Varanasi. It was primarily designed for intercity day travel.
Speed and Acceleration
The Vande Bharat Express has a design speed of 180 kmph and can operate at 160 kmph on suitable tracks. In contrast, most Rajdhani trains have a maximum speed of 130 kmph. Unlike the Rajdhani, which is hauled by a conventional locomotive, the Vande Bharat is a self-propelled train set. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just 52 seconds, significantly reducing the time required to regain speed after a halt.
Seating Classes and Coach Features
The Vande Bharat offers Standard Chair Car and Executive Chair Car classes. It features automatic sliding doors, a GPS-based passenger information system, modern suspension, and seats that can rotate 180 degrees. The Rajdhani Express offers traditional sleeper accommodation across First AC, Second AC, and Third AC classes. Many routes now feature new Tejas-Rajdhani coaches equipped with automatic doors and bio-vacuum toilets. Additionally, sleeper variants of the Vande Bharat are now being introduced for long-distance overnight journeys. These trains offer premium amenities such as cushioned berths, noise-reduction technology, sensor-based lighting, and even hot water in the First AC (1AC) class.
**Catering Services**
The catering provided by IRCTC on the Vande Bharat Express includes snacks, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Passengers have the option to opt out of the meal service at the time of booking, which reduces the ticket fare. Due to the long duration of the journey on the Rajdhani Express, there is a fixed schedule for morning tea, breakfast, soup, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner. First AC passengers are also offered soup and a special menu.
**Which train to choose for your journey?**
**Feature** | **Vande Bharat Express** | **Rajdhani Express**
**Type of Journey** | Daytime inter-city travel | Overnight long-distance travel
**Key Highlights** | Rapid acceleration and shorter travel time | Comfortable sleep and bedroll service
**Amenities** | Automatic doors, sensor lighting, aerodynamic body | Modern (Tejas-style coaches) yet traditional layout
**Best For** | Daytime journeys of less than 8–10 hours | Long overnight journeys exceeding 12 hours
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
