The first-ever Vande Bharat Express trains for Jammu and Kashmir were introduced on June 6 after the inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Two new Vande Bharat trains began their services on June 7, 2025, bringing joy to travel enthusiasts and locals across India.

This luxurious Jammu and Kashmir train connects Jammu with Srinagar via the Banihal railway line and includes the Chenab bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world, on its route. The two trains operate six days a week, with one day reserved for maintenance.

These trains provide essential all-weather connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring accessibility even during extreme cold. Vande Bharat Kashmir Express significantly reduces travel time for trips to Kashmir by train, making it ideal for both tourists and business travelers.

Vande Bharat makes Jammu Kashmir by train not just a reality but also a very pleasant, smooth, and relaxing journey. The key route and connectivity details of this impressive train service include:

- It is a part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

- The Vande Bharat Kashmir Express runs between Jammu, Srinagar, and Baramulla, providing comfortable train access through these areas.

- These semi-high-speed Jammu and Kashmir trains will have limited halts, stopping only at four stations along the route, including Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Banihal, and Srinagar.

- Further expansion is expected in the near future to connect major cities to Jammu Kashmir by train, such as to link Delhi via Katra.

So what makes Vande Bharat such a cozy and relaxing ride via train to Kashmir? It is not just about connectivity and luxury but also about comfort and safety.

- Fully air-conditioned coaches with modern interiors.

- Onboard infotainment, a GPS-based passenger information system, and bio-vacuum toilets.

- Enhanced safety with Kavach technology.

- Comfortable seating and catering options.

It is not just tourists from all over the globe that have hailed this Jammu and Kashmir train, but also locals within the region who can savor a smoother and easier journey by train to Kashmir from Jammu.

- Easy and affordable Kashmir trip by train without road travel fatigue.

- All-weather connectivity, as the Vande Bharat Kashmir trains can withstand the low temperatures, snow, and rain seen in the region.

- Scenic views of the Himalayas from the comfort of a high-speed train.

- Boosts tourism, local trade, and socio-economic development.

Bookings for the Vande Bharat Kashmir trains are currently available on IRCTC and selected travel portals. However, as the Jammu Tawi railway station is currently undergoing redevelopment work, these Jammu and Kashmir train services start from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and vice versa.

The two Vande Bharat Express trains run six days in a week. Once the Jammu Tawi railway station reconstruction work is completed, the train service will extend up to Jammu from Srinagar and vice versa. The train numbers of the two Vande Bharat trains are 26401/02 and 26403/04.

- Train number 26401 leaves the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station at 8:10 AM.

- It reaches its next stop—the Banihal railway station—at 9:58 AM.

- It reaches Srinagar railway station within a total of 3 hours, at 11:08 AM.

- In the return direction, train number 26402 departs from the Srinagar railway station at 2:00 PM.

- It stops at the Banihal railway station at 3:10 PM.

- The train ends its journey at Katra railway station at 4:48 PM, taking less than 3 hours again to reach Katra from Srinagar.

These two train services run on all days except Tuesday.

- Train number 26404 begins its journey from Srinagar railway station at 8:00 AM.

- It comes to a halt at the Banihal railway station at 9:02 AM.

- At the end of its journey, it reaches Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station at 10:58 AM, travelling a total of 2 hours and 58 minutes.

- On the return journey, train number 26403 commenced its journey from Katra at 2:55 PM.

- It stops at Banihal railway station en route at 4:40 PM.

- Finally, it reaches Srinagar railway station at 5:53 PM, again taking just less than 3 hours to complete the journey.

These two train services run on all days except Wednesday.

Previously, locals and tourists had to travel from Jammu to Srinagar via roads, namely the Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH44). Frequent disruptions due to extreme weather, landslides, and other blockages made this 270 km-long journey significantly slow, exhausting, and unpredictable. Additionally, the stretch from Ramban to Banihal is especially dangerous, with narrow roads, steep drops, and endless hairpin bends.

Now, the new Vande Bharat train to Kashmir offers a faster, safer, and more scenic mode of travel. This is a milestone for railway infrastructure—a comfortable and relaxing journey through the heart of Jammu and Kashmir!

So what are you waiting for? All set for a magical and breathtaking journey to Kashmir?

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