As the festive season begins, trains heading to Bihar from across the country are packed beyond capacity.
To handle the huge crowd of passengers traveling home for Diwali and Chhath, the Indian Railways has announced special trains.
Among these, the Vande Bharat Express is being operated between Delhi and Patna to meet the high demand.
The train, with 16 or 20 coaches, will run till November 17, providing faster and more comfortable travel options.
However, passengers should note that ticket prices are higher compared to other trains.
Special Vande Bharat Schedule and Routes
Two pairs of Vande Bharat Special trains will run on this route:
Train No. 02251 Patna–New Delhi Vande Bharat Special
Runs from October 12 to November 16
Departs Patna at 10:00 AM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays
Arrives in New Delhi at 11:30 PM
Returns as Train No. 02252 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, departing Delhi at 8:35 AM and reaching Patna at 9:30 PM
Total 16 coaches
Train No. 02253 Patna–New Delhi Vande Bharat Special
Runs from October 11 to November 17
Operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from Patna
Returns as Train No. 02254 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays
Departs Delhi at 8:35 AM and reaches Patna at 9:30 PM
Total 20 coaches
Both trains will stop at Ara, Buxar, DDU, Prayagraj Junction, Kanpur Central, and Aligarh.
The journey from Delhi to Patna will take 12 hours 55 minutes, while the return trip will take 13 hours 30 minutes.
All coaches are chair cars, meaning there are no sleeper berths.
Ticket Prices and Comparisons
The fares for the Vande Bharat Special trains are as follows:
Patna to Delhi (Train 02251/02253): ₹2,475 for AC Chair Car and ₹4,520 for Executive AC (with catering).
Delhi to Patna (Train 02252/02254): ₹2,595 for AC Chair Car and ₹4,675 for Executive AC (with catering).
In comparison:
Tejas Express (3AC) costs about ₹2,445 from Patna to Delhi.
Rajdhani Express (3AC) costs around ₹2,430, including meals.
While Vande Bharat tickets are slightly more expensive, the train offers a faster and more modern travel experience.
However, since it is a chair car service, passengers must travel seated throughout the journey.
A Convenient Yet Costly Option
The introduction of the Delhi–Patna Vande Bharat Special aims to ease travel during the festive rush and reduce crowding in regular trains.
It offers comfort and speed but comes at a higher cost compared to traditional options like Tejas and Rajdhani.
For passengers who value time and convenience, this Diwali season might be the right time to try out the Vande Bharat experience.
