A new Vande Bharat Express is set to improve rail connectivity between Bengaluru and coastal Karnataka, with the train connecting Yesvantpur in Bengaluru to Madgaon in Goa via Mangaluru.
The proposed service is particularly significant for passengers travelling between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, as well as those heading to destinations such as Udupi, Kundapura, Murdeshwar and Karwar.
However, there is an important distinction: this is not a dedicated Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat service. It is a longer Yesvantpur–Madgaon service, with Mangaluru Junction among its intermediate stops.
The Railway Board approved the introduction of train numbers 26655 and 26656 on October 30, 2026. According to reports citing railway officials, the service is expected to be flagged off on November 13, with regular operations scheduled to begin on November 15.
Here is everything you need to know.
1. What is the route of the new Vande Bharat Express?
The train will operate between Yesvantpur Junction in Bengaluru and Madgaon in Goa, passing through Hassan, Sakleshpur and Mangaluru before continuing along the Karnataka coast.
The route will cover important railway stations in the Malnad and coastal regions, offering connectivity to several towns that are popular among tourists, pilgrims and business travellers.
The train will operate under the following numbers:
- 26655: Yesvantpur–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express.
- 26656: Madgaon–Yesvantpur Vande Bharat Express.
The Railway Board's approval specifies 12 intermediate stoppages between the two terminal stations.
2. What are the stations where the train will stop?
The Vande Bharat Express will have the following 12 intermediate stops:
- Shravanabelagola
- Hassan Junction
- Sakleshpur
- Subrahmanya Road
- Kabaka Puttur
- Mangaluru Junction
- Udupi
- Kundapura
- Mookambika Road Byndoor
- Murdeshwar
- Gokarna Road
- Karwar
After Karwar, the train will continue towards Madgaon in Goa.
The route will connect several important religious and tourist destinations, including Shravanabelagola, Kukke Subrahmanya (through Subrahmanya Road), Udupi, Kollur (through Mookambika Road), Murdeshwar and Gokarna.
4. How long will the journey take between Bengaluru and Mangaluru?
The journey between Yesvantpur and Mangaluru Junction is scheduled to take approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.
- Bengaluru to Mangaluru: 7 hours 30 minutes.
- Mangaluru to Bengaluru: 7 hours 15 minutes.
For passengers travelling the entire route, the journey between Yesvantpur and Madgaon will take approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes, while the return journey will take 12 hours and 55 minutes.
The Mangaluru-bound journey is therefore considerably shorter than the full Bengaluru–Goa journey, making the service relevant to people travelling between the state capital and coastal Karnataka.
5. On which days will the train operate?
The Vande Bharat Express will operate six days a week in both directions.
- Yesvantpur to Madgaon (26655): No service on Wednesdays.
- Madgaon to Yesvantpur (26656): No service on Thursdays.
Passengers should keep these weekly operating schedules in mind while planning their journeys.
6. Why is the route through the Western Ghats significant?
One of the most technically challenging sections of the Bengaluru–Mangaluru railway route is the stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road, which passes through the Western Ghats.
The section has steep gradients, sharp curves, tunnels and bridges. Operating a train through this terrain requires careful assessment of braking, acceleration and stability.
The electrification of this stretch was therefore an important step towards introducing electric trains, including Vande Bharat services, on the route.
According to the Ministry of Railways, electrification of the Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road ghat section was completed in December 2025. An electric locomotive trial was successfully conducted on December 28, 2025, making the entire Bengaluru–Mangaluru railway route electrified.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier said that electrification would enable Vande Bharat services through this route to Mangaluru.
The South Western Railway also conducted specialised trials to assess the train's suitability for the challenging terrain.
During an August 2026 safety exercise, a Vande Bharat rake equipped with an automatic emergency braking system was tested in the ghat section. Officials examined parameters including braking, acceleration and stability, with personnel from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) participating in the trials.
7. How many coaches will the train have? What facilities can passengers expect?
The new service will operate with a 16-coach Vande Bharat Chair Car rake.
Vande Bharat trains are designed to offer a more comfortable travel experience, with features including:
- Fully air-conditioned chair-car coaches.
- Automatic plug doors.
- CCTV surveillance.
- Wi-Fi-based passenger information and entertainment facilities.
- Improved seating and ride comfort.
- Bio-vacuum toilets.
- Emergency talk-back units.
- Advanced fire detection and suppression systems.
- KAVACH train collision avoidance technology.
The train is designed for a maximum operating speed of 160 kmph, although the actual speed will depend on track conditions, terrain and safety restrictions.
8. When will the train be launched? When can passengers book tickets?
The Railway Board approved the new service on October 30, 2026.
According to reports published on November 10, the train is likely to be flagged off on November 13, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to inaugurate the service during his visit to Bengaluru.
Regular commercial operations are expected to begin on November 15.
The inaugural service is reportedly planned to depart from Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru at 1.30 pm on November 13, reaching Mangaluru at 9 pm before continuing to Madgaon.
This inaugural run is different from the regular Yesvantpur–Madgaon timetable, which begins at 7.35 am.
Passengers can check booking availability through the IRCTC website once reservations are opened.
9. What happens to the existing Mangaluru–Madgaon Vande Bharat service?
The introduction of the new service will also bring a change to an existing Vande Bharat route.
The Railway Board has approved the discontinuation of the Madgaon–Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat Express, operating under train numbers 20645 and 20646, from November 15.
The new Yesvantpur–Madgaon service will effectively extend Vande Bharat connectivity from Goa to Bengaluru through Mangaluru and other coastal Karnataka towns.
This means passengers travelling between Mangaluru and Goa will also have a different Vande Bharat service, although they should check the new train's station and terminal details before booking.
