Travel between Karnataka's capital and Goa's popular coastal destination is set to become significantly faster and more scenic with the introduction of a new Vande Bharat Express. The Railway Board has officially approved the Yesvantpur-Madgaon-Yesvantpur service, which will reduce travel time to just over 13 hours.
The new Bengaluru-Goa Vande Bharat train, numbered 26655/26656, received approval on October 30, 2026. This chair car service is slated to operate six days a week, providing direct rail connectivity. While the official launch date and ticket fares are yet to be announced, the service promises a picturesque journey through the Western Ghats.
Route and Schedule
The Vande Bharat Express will depart from Yesvantpur in Bengaluru at 7:35 am, arriving in Madgaon, Goa, at 8:55 pm on the same day. For the return trip, the train will leave Madgaon at 8:20 am and reach Yesvantpur by 9:15 pm. The service will observe a weekly off day, not operating on Wednesdays from Yesvantpur and Thursdays from Madgaon.
The route includes several key stops, linking Karnataka's hinterland with its coastal region. Scheduled halts include:
- Shravanabelagola
- Hassan
- Sakleshpur
- Subrahmanya Road
- Kabaka Puttur
- Mangaluru Junction
- Udupi
- Kundapura
- Mookambika Road Byndoor
- Murdeshwar
- Gokarna Road
- Karwar
Additionally, the train will stop at Thokur when traveling from Yesvantpur to Madgaon.
Scenic Journey Through Western Ghats
A major highlight of this new service is its passage through the breathtaking Western Ghats, particularly the stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. Passengers can anticipate stunning views of verdant hills, dense forested landscapes, and winding railway tracks, making the journey an experience in itself.
This direct connectivity is expected to benefit a wide range of travelers, from tourists heading to coastal Karnataka and Goa to individuals traveling for business, education, or religious purposes. It eliminates the need for inconvenient train changes, streamlining the travel process.
Discontinuation of Existing Service
In conjunction with the approval of the new Bengaluru-Goa Vande Bharat Express, the Railway Board has decided to discontinue the existing Mangaluru Central-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express (numbered 20645/20646). This decision was made due to low passenger patronage on the current service.
Two Vande Bharat trainsets will be allocated for the new route, with maintenance facilities established at Yesvantpur and Madgaon. Watering services will be available at Mangaluru Junction to ensure smooth operations.