Overnight or Day train Kolkata to Varanasi?

Anything much to see on this trip. I know we will save a night's accom if we take the night train but would hate to miss out on a delightful day trip if there's something nice to view! Thanks guys & gals!

The problem with a day train on this route is that you would travel through Bihar during the day, not a great thing to do.

Howrah is the main train station in Calcutta.

Mughal Sarrai is 20 Kms from Varanasi.


Train 2311 departs Howrah daily at 19:40 and gets to Mughal Sarrai at 06:10.

Train 2321 departs Howrah daily at 22:00 and gets to Mughal Sarrai at 08:20.

Train 3027 departs Howrah daily at 20:00 and gets to Varanasi at 10:50.

Train 2381 departs Howrah (W, Th & Sunday) at 09:25 and gets to Varanasi at 19:40.

Train 2203 departs Howrah (M, Tu, F, & Saturday) at 09:10 and gets to Mughal Sarrai at 20:30.

Train 3005 departs Howrah daily at 19:10 and gets to Varanasi at 09:50.

Train 3009 departs Howrah daily at 20:35 and gets to Varanasi at 10:25.



The highest fare for this journey would be: -

First Class air con = Rs 2201
2-tier air con = Rs 1172
3-tier air con = Rs 763
Sleeper Class = Rs 291


Going the other way.

Train 3010 departs Varanasi Daily at 16:25 and gets to Howrah at 06:55

Train 3028 departs Varanasi Daily at 18:30 and gets to Howrah at 11:15

Train 3074 departs Varanasi (M, Tu, and Friday only) at 21:20 and gets to Howrah at 12:45

Train 2312 departs Mughal Sarrai daily at 20:40 and gets to Howrah at 07:25

Train 1160 (Tu, Th, Sa) and train 1182 (M) and train 9305 (W, F, Su) departs Mughal Sarrai at 20:05 and gets to Howrah at 06:40



Being able to print tickets in your own home makes the superfast trains (train number starting with a 2) even more attractive.

(Sorry Lyndy, more info than needed, I've been meaning to add this info to the 'Train Information' thread for a while, just never got round to doing it.)

Steven is right about the Bihar thing, and if I remember rightly, the scenery is OK, but not super amazing.

I'm on the same route again at the beginning of February and chose the overnight DOON EXPRESS which runs in both directions and seems to have the best timings.

I even treated myself to an AC3 Teir ticket as I remember this particular route being very 'busy' and potentially awkward with a lot of passengers coming and going, and enjoying the use of YOUR bunk in the middle of the night !

Might be worth considering, esp. if you're female. Do BOOK well ahead - I booked 2 weeks ago and got the last 2 of 3 available berths..

Good luck.

Thanks a lot for the info steven & butterball. I thought as much. Checked out india rail's website today & sought of decided on Doon Express in AC2. We love AC2 and are yet to experience AC3. Are they so much different to warrant the 400 r's extra?

And Steven-great idea about the e-tickets. Thanks. I saw it on the website today & it blew me away!

If you prefer Lower/Upper berths(LB/UB), then AC2 is far more comfortable than AC3 and is worth the difference in fares. However, if you have a penchant for side berths(SL/SU), then AC 3 Tier is better, as the comfort level is almost the same as that of AC2, but at a lower cost !

God help you if you are condemned to share a berth with an Indian family complete with kids; during a day journey in AC3 !!

It's all about Class/Caste.

I'm a working class man and am much more comfortable around other working class people, I've found I've little in common with others in 2A, and any conversations that did start ended too soon, but it seems different in 3A (& Sleeper class), I like the families, the kids are so well behaved.

Space/comfort levels are definitely higher in 2A, and it is still a great way to travel, if space and comfort are important then 2A is worth the extra money, (though as SHIMLA says, a side berth in 3A is virtually identical to a that in 2A).

But my preferred class is still Sleeper Class (side berth), there's just something about the open window that's irresistible.

thanks, Shimla for the excellent info. Side berths are not long enough for us. We're both around 182 cms tall and the side berths are sometimes a little short. We've decided to give AC3 a shot for this trip. It's truly amazing what a couple of shots of cointreau can do for a girl before a train ride!

Sorry steven, I hit the button before I saw your response! I agree about feeling comfortable with one's surroundings. I'm just not brave enough for sleeper class yet! And my partner feels the heat and really likes the AC. I'm getting darn excited about this trip and really appreciate the info you & the others have given me. Happy travels!

Done a complete about face & booked the 2313 Rajdhani in AC chair for 765 r's each. Gets us in to Mug Sarrai at 1 am so we'll organise a hotel car to collect us. Anyone taken this train, on this route and at this time? Tks again!

I've travelled by the Sealdah Rajdhani, but right upto New Delhi. Good service, good food.

Thanks Shimla! I'm just more comfortable with the faster trains. The disadvantage is the time of arrival into MGS but there' always a trade-off in India!! And the e-ticket booking service is soooo painless! I'm a big fan of Indian Rail!!!

You're welcome, lyndy ! I too am a big fan of IR and love those superfast Rajdhanis and Shatabdis. Good to know that you love IR too. Have a nice trip and enjoy all your rail journeys !

Unless it is really a great exception this train is always in time. As Shimla rightly said good service and good food too. But regarding the arrival time at Mughal Sarai and the transit from there, be careful. Wish you a happy journey.

- Somnath

tks somnath, for the warning. I immediately felt we'd need to be MORE alert than we are normally.

I'm hoping the Hotel Alka can organise a taxi for us. If not, I guess we'll try to get a prepaid from the station. There's always the station retiring rooms.

Have you or anyone here used the ones on MGS station?

Thks again people.

I'm delighted to be returning to India. It's the wait for our travel date to arrive, that's the WORST!!