The fare of the Vande Bharat AC chair car for a 300-400 kilometre journey is around ₹2.19 per kilometre, which is much lower than the fares for similar services in countries such as China, Japan and France, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a written statement in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (February 11, 2026).
Vande Bharat Sleeper fares start at ₹960, peak at ₹13,300; no RAC or waitlist facility
According to Mr. Vaishnaw, the fares in these countries range from ₹7 to ₹20 per kilometre.
Vande Bharat Express fares reduced
"The Ministry of Railways, while deciding the fare structure of various types of passenger services, gives due consideration to aspects like the cost of service, value of service, type of services and facilities offered, affordability, competition from other competing modes and socio-economic considerations," Mr. Vaishnaw said while responding to questions regarding fare structure of Vande Bharat trains.
