India’s cheapest train beats Vande Bharat, Rajdhani express in speed, its AC coach fare is only Rs…, the train is…

The Garib Rath Express, by offering affordable AC travel, has brought comfort and convenience for common travelers who can’t afford expensive trains.

Indian Railways operates thousands of trains daily and its fares are determined by the amenities they offer. AC coaches are generally more expensive than sleeper and general coaches. However there is one train which has a lower fare than these trains for AC. It still beats them in speed. It is often known as ‘Poor Man’s Rajdhani Express’  due to its cheap fare that even the common man can enjoy an AC journey.

Garib Rath Express

The ‘Garib Rath Express’ is known as the cheapest AC train in India.Trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat, which are known for their high fares, Garib Rath provides fully air-conditioned travel at just 68 paise per kilometer. With such low pricing, it has earned the nickname as ‘Poor Man’s Rajdhani’.

Garib Rath Express Routes

The Garib Rath Express was introduced in 2006, with its first service running between Saharsa (Bihar) and Amritsar (Punjab). Today, this train operates on 26 routes, connecting major cities such as Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Chennai, and Patna-Kolkata. The demand for this train remains high throughout the year. Which makes it difficult to secure a confirmed ticket.

Garib Rath Express Vs Vande Bharat Speed

Although Vande Bharat Express trains have a maximum speed of 160 km/h, their current average operational speed ranges between 66 and 96 km/h. In comparison, the Garib Rath Express operates at an average speed of 70-75 km/h, matching some of the fastest trains in the country.

The Chennai–Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express is the longest route for this train, covering 2,075 kilometers in around 28 hours and 30 minutes. For this journey, the fare is just Rs 1,500, making it a cost-effective option.

Garib Rath vs. Rajdhani: Cost

For the same Chennai–Delhi route, the Rajdhani Express covers the distance in 28 hours and 15 minutes, nearly the same time as the Garib Rath. However, the fare for a third AC ticket on the Rajdhani is Rs 4,210, almost three times more than the Garib Rath’s fare of Rs 1,500.

When calculated per kilometer, the Garib Rath charges around 68 paise per kilometer which is very less for air-conditioned travel.