Top 10 Fastest Trains in India 2023, High Speed Rail in India

The fastest train in India is the Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, which can reach a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). It is a semi-high-speed train that was developed by the Indian Railways Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) and was first introduced in 2018.

India is a country known for its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and bustling cities. India’s extensive railway network stands as a symbol of connectivity and progress. Among all the experiences you could gain in India, the train experience is one of the top-notch activities.

Today’s technology has managed to add some entertainment and comfort to this mundane task and turned it into a tourism activity, and some of the fastest trains in India can travel at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, making them a great way to cover long distances quickly and comfortably.

Fastest Train in India 2023-24

The Vande Bharat Express (Train 18) holds the title of India’s fastest train, with a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). This semi-high-speed train was developed by the Indian Railways Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) and was first introduced in 2018.

It is known for its sleek, aerodynamic design, spacious interiors, and modern amenities, making it a popular choice for passengers traveling between New Delhi and Varanasi.

Let’s look at other India’s Fastest Railways joining Vande Bharat in the list of high speed trains in India.

1. Fastest Trains in India – Vande Bharat Express

Vande Bharat Express

Since Vande Bharat Express’s foundation in early 2019, the train, also known as Train 18, has captured attention for its cutting-edge amenities and remarkably high speeds. As one of the speediest trains in India to date, the Vande Bharat Express achieved an impressive maximum speed of 180 km/h during test runs. However, the train maintains a 160 km/h speed for safety considerations during commercial operations.

Currently, there are eight operational Vande Bharat Express trains, each serving distinct routes:

• New Delhi to Katra
• New Delhi to Varanasi
• New Delhi to Amb Andaura
• Mumbai Central to Gandhinagar
• Chennai to Mysuru
• Howrah to New Jalpaiguri
• Bilaspur to Nagpur
• Visakhapatnam to Secunderabad

As numerous high-speed trains are set to join the ranks, the Vande Bharat Express signifies the dawn of an exhilarating era for Indian Railways. Alongside notably shortened travel times, passengers relish amenities such as a GPS-based information system, onboard WiFi, and exceptionally comfortable seating. The Executive Class even boasts 180-degree rotating chairs, adding to the allure of this new frontier in rail travel.

2. India’s 2nd Fastest Train: Tejas Express

Tejas Express

“Tejas Express” is fitting, as “Tejas” translates to brilliance. This high-speed, fully air-conditioned train is engineered to reach a remarkable maximum speed of 200 km/h. However, operational speed often adjusts due to track limitations.

The Tejas Express encompasses four routes:

• Chennai to Madurai
• Mumbai CSMT to Madgaon
• Ahmedabad to Mumbai Central
• Lucknow to New Delhi

Onboard, travelers can access tea and coffee vending machines, mobile charging ports, individual reading lights, and a comprehensive CCTV network.

3. India’s 3rd Fastest Train: Gatiman Express

Gatiman Express

As India’s inaugural high-speed luxury train, the Gatimaan Express is one of the nation’s swiftest rail journeys. Cruising at a top speed of 160 km/h, the Gatimaan Express (12049/12050) masterfully covers the 188 km span between New Delhi and Agra in a mere 100 minutes.

Each carriage boasts bio-toilets, sliding doors, and eight-inch LCD screens adorning the backs of seats. With the added touch of train hostesses, passengers are treated to various culinary choices spanning European and Indian cuisines.

4. India’s 4th Fastest Train: Bhopal Shatabdi Express

Bhopal Shatabdi Express

The inaugural Shatabdi train, the Bhopal Shatabdi Express, commenced service in 1988 to honour Jawaharlal Nehru’s centenary. The term ‘Shatabdi’ aptly translates to ‘century’. With an impressive top speed of 150 km/h, this train embarks from New Delhi and completes the 709 km journey to Bhopal in approximately eight and a half hours.

Operating daily, it stops significantly at major cities en route, including Agra, Mathura, Morena, Jhansi, and Gwalior. Fully air-conditioned, the Bhopal Shatabdi Express, unfortunately, lacks sleeper cars, making it advisable to choose daytime travel or face an upright night’s journey. The upside is that ticket fares encompass meals, as well as regular snacks and beverages for travelers.

5. India’s 5th Fastest Train: Mumbai Rajdhani Express

Mumbai Rajdhani Express

Outpacing all other Rajdhani trains in India, the Mumbai Rajdhani Express (12951/12952) holds a maximum sanctioned speed of 140 km/h. Notably, the train underwent a significant transformation in 2021, replacing traditional Rajdhani coaches with air-conditioned Tejas coaches, effectively boosting its capability to achieve speeds of up to 160 km/h.

This daily service links Mumbai Central and New Delhi, traversing a distance of 1,386 km in approximately 15.5 hours. Key stops include Kota, Surat, and Vadodara. Enhanced with two pantry cars at either end, the train caters excellently to your culinary cravings throughout the journey.

List of Top 10 Fastest Trains in India 2023-24

Here’s a list of the top 10 fastest trains in India in 2023:

1. Vande Bharat Express (Train 18): 180 km/h (112 mph)
2. Gatimaan Express: 160 km/h (99 mph)
3. Duronto Express: 160 km/h (99 mph)
4. Rajdhani Express: 140 km/h (87 mph)
5. Shatabdi Express: 140 km/h (87 mph)
6. New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express: 150 km/h (93 mph)
7. Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani Express: 140 km/h (87 mph)
8. New Delhi-Kanpur Shatabdi Express: 140 km/h (87 mph)
9. New Delhi-Howrah Duronto Express: 120 km/h (75 mph)
10. New Delhi-Allahabad Duronto Express: 120 km/h (75 mph)

High Speed Rail in India

Indian Railways is among the biggest employers in India, and Indian Railways is constantly working on improving it’s infrastructure to promote more High-Speed Indian Trains.

High-speed Train projects:

Indian Railway has initiated planning and working on several High-Speed Indian Trains projects, like:

• Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor: This corridor is intended to be 508 km long, and trains will run at top speeds of 320 km/h. It is expected to be completed in 2028.
• Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysuru High-Speed Rail Corridor: This corridor is intended to be 435 km long, and trains will run at top speeds of 320 km/h. It is expected to be completed in 2030.
• Delhi-Agra High-Speed Rail Corridor: This corridor is intended to be 200 km long, and trains will run at top speeds of 320 km/h. It is expected to be completed in 2026.

Semi High Speed Train Projects

• Vande Bharat Express Network: It includes a series of semi-high-speed trains with speeds up to 180 km/h.
• Gatimaan Express: It includes a series of semi-high speed trains with speeds up to 160 km/h.
• Shatabdi Express: It includes a series of semi-high speed trains with speeds up to 150 km/h.
• Rajdhani Express: It includes a series of semi-high speed trains with speeds up to 140 km/h.

FAQs – Top 10 Fastest Trains in India 2023-24

Q1. Which is the fastest rajdhani express?

The fastest Rajdhani Express is the Mumbai Rajdhani Express, with a maximum permissible speed of 140 kmph (87 mph). It covers the distance between Mumbai Central and New Delhi in around 15.5 hours.

Q2. Which was the first superfast train in India?

The first superfast train in India was the Deccan Queen, which was introduced on June 1, 1930. It operated between Pune and Mumbai and was the first train in India to run at an average speed of over 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour).

Q3. What is the speed of the Humsafar train?

The maximum speed of a Humsafar Express train is 130 km/h (81 mph). However, the average speed of a Humsafar Express train is typically around 60-65 km/h (37-41 mph).

Q4. What route does the Bhopal Shatabdi Express cover?

The Bhopal Shatabdi Express connects New Delhi to Bhopal, covering a distance of 709 km in approximately eight and a half hours.

Q5. Which train has the highest speed in India?

With a maximum speed capacity of 180 Kmph and a commercial speed of 160 Kmph, Vande Bharat is the fastest train in India.

Q6. What are top 5 fastest trains in India?

The top 5 fastest trains in India are as follows –

1. Tejas Express
2. Vande Bharat Express
3. Gatiman Express
4. Bhopal Shatabdi Express
5. Mumbai Rajdhani Express

Q7. Which Vande Bharat is fastest?

The fastest average is maintained by New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express. It runs at an average speed of 95 kmph. 

Q8. Which is the slowest train in India?

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway has been dubbed as the slowest train in India. Travelling at 9 kilometres per hour speed.

Q9. Is bullet train faster than Metro?

It has the ability to travel at three times the speed of a metro. According to the figures, the train travels at a speed of 100 km/hr on average and 160 km/hr at maximum speed.