2 min readUpdated: Jun 28, 2026 10:00 AM IST
Indian Railways Vande Bharat train: Indian Railways (IR) has revised the schedule of the country’s 49th Vande Bharat Express train. Flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12, 2024, this Vande Bharat train runs between Varanasi and Ranchi. The semi-high-speed train is being maintained and operated by the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone. It commenced commercial run on March 18, 2024.
Varanasi to Ranchi Vande Bharat Express: Train numbers, Distance, Travel Time
Train number 20888/20887 Varanasi-Ranchi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express runs every day except Tuesday. It covers a distance of 536 km in 07:50 hrs.
Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat train: Stoppages, Speed
During its journey between Varanasi and Ranchi, train number 20888/20887 Vande Bharat Express stops at eight railway stations. These are: Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Sasaram, Gaya, Koderma, Hazaribagh Road, Parasnath, Bokaro Steel City and Muri.
According to the national transporter, train number 20888 Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express runs at an average speed of 68.83 kmph. The train number 20887 Ranchi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express runs at an average speed of 68.48 kmph.
Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express train: Timings
The Northern Railway (NR) has revised the timing of train number 20888 at Varanasi railway station. The new timetable will come into effect from September 2, 2026. Currently, the train departs from Varanasi at 16:05 hrs. From September 2, the train will leave Varanasi at 15:55 hrs. There is no change in the schedule beyond Varanasi.
Existing Timing
Varanasi
Station Code: BSB
16:05
Departure
Revised Timing
Varanasi
Station Code: BSB
15:55
Departure
Time Advanced By
10 Minutes Earlier
Note: No change in timings beyond Varanasi | Revised departure effective from JCO 02.09.2026 | Arrival at Varanasi remains unchanged (—-)
Express InfoGenIE
Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express: Ticket price
The Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express offers two seating options: AC Chair Cars and Executive Chair Cars. The ticket price for travelling in an AC Chair Car between Varanasi and Ranchi is Rs 1,470. For an Executive Chair Car, this comes up to Rs 2,695.