Among the many experiences South India is known for, its railway journeys remain truly unforgettable. Rail travel in the region has entered a new era with the introduction and rapid expansion of the Vande Bharat Express across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Known for their speed, comfort, and modern amenities, these semi-high-speed trains have significantly cut down travel time between key destinations while transforming the way travellers explore the South. From scenic coastal stretches and historic temple towns to routes leading towards the hills, Vande Bharat trains now connect several of South India’s most popular tourist destinations.
On this note, let’s have a look at some of the significant Vande Bharat trains in South India.
Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express (20633/20634)The route between Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod is known for its gorgeous coastal landscapes, backwaters and greenery. This train connects Kerala from south to north and links major cities like Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur and Kozhikode and covers around 574 km in under eight hours.
Thiruvananthapuram–Mangalore Vande Bharat Express (20632)The journey goes through Alleppey, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur before stopping at Mangalore. The train connects Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala with Mangalore in Karnataka. It is quite popular among travellers as along the way they can enjoy stunning views of the Arabian Sea. It covers a distance of 619 km in around 8 hours and 35 minutes.
Tirunelveli–Chennai Vande Bharat Express (20631/20632)The train connects southern Tamil Nadu with Chennai in around eight hours. Important stops include Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchchirappalli and Villupuram. The train has become an important option for those seeking faster access between Chennai and temple towns in southern Tamil Nadu.
Chennai–Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express (20687/20688)The train connects Tamil Nadu’s capital with Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada, a distance of 455 km in 6 hours and 40 minutes. The route passes through Renigunta, Nellore, Ongole and Tenali Junction and is most preferred by travellers and has dramatically improved connectivity for both business travellers and tourists.
Chennai–Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express (20643)This train links Chennai with Coimbatore in significantly less time. It stops at Salem, Erode and Tiruppur, making it useful for both business as well as leisure travellers. The route is especially popular among frequent textile commuters.
Chennai–Mysuru Vande Bharat Express (20608)Chennai–Mysuru is South India’s first Vande Bharat service. The route connects Chennai, Bengaluru and Mysuru and is widely popular among tech professionals, tourists and weekend travellers. Its strong occupancy rates have made it one of the country’s most successful Vande Bharat trains.
Kalaburagi–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express (22231)This train connects Kalaburagi in North Karnataka to Bengaluru in 8 hours 45 minutes. The route passes through Raichur, Guntakal, Anantapur and Yelahanka and is mostly preferred by students, professionals and pilgrims.
Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express (26751/26752)Introduced last year, this train service connects Bengaluru with Belagavi via major Karnataka cities and major stops include Tumakuru, Davangere, Hubballi and Dharwad. The train covers a distance of 611 km in approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes. The route has strengthened connectivity between Karnataka’s technology hub and northern districts.
Bengaluru–Dharwad Vande Bharat Express (20661)Bengaluru–Dharwad offers faster travel between Bengaluru and the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and covers a distance of about 489 kms in 6 hours 25 minutes. It’s an important route that is increasingly popular among professionals and intercity business travellers.
Visakhapatnam–Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express (20833)Visakhapatnam–Secunderabad is among the busiest routes in South India which connects Telangana with coastal Andhra Pradesh in 8 hours 45 minutes. The service is widely used for tourism, and weekend travel and always remains in demand.
Secunderabad–Tirupati Vande Bharat Express (20701)This route offers faster and more comfortable access to the pilgrimage city of Tirupati. The train stops at Nalgonda, Guntur, Ongole and Nellore and has become highly popular among devotees travelling from Telangana. It takes around 8 hours and 15 minutes to cover the journey.
Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express (26652)Connecting Kochi with Bengaluru, this route is used mostly by IT professionals, tourists and travellers. The train has seen strong occupancy despite being a relatively newer service. It significantly reduces travel time between Kerala’s commercial capital and India’s tech hub.
Thiruvananthapuram Central–Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express (via Kottayam) (20633/20634)This alternative Kerala route operates via Kottayam and Ernakulam Town before heading northwards. The train improves connectivity between central Kerala districts and Kasaragod and remains one of Southern Railway’s most occupied Vande Bharat trains.
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