Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express: Route, Timings & Fare
Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express (22895/22896) travel guide with updated timetables, ticket fares, station halts, catering rules, and booking steps.
The Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express (Train Numbers 22895 and 22896) is Odisha’s primary semi-high-speed rail corridor connecting the coastal pilgrimage city of Puri with Kolkata. The train covers the 500 km route across West Bengal and Odisha in 6 hours and 25 minutes, reducing transit time significantly compared with legacy intercity express services.
Key Takeaways
- The Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express operates 6 days a week except Thursdays under train numbers 22895 and 22896.
- The 500 km journey between Howrah Junction and Puri Railway Station takes 6 hours and 25 minutes at an operational speed of up to 130 km/h.
- Standard AC Chair Car tickets cost ₹1,130 without meals and ₹1,430 with onboard catering, while Executive Class tickets cost ₹2,245 and ₹2,615 respectively.
- Key intermediate halts include Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Khurda Road Junction.
Passengers traveling between Bengal and Odisha can easily connect to coastal pilgrimage hubs, starting with the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri. This rail service provides reliable seating comfort, punctuality, and modern transit infrastructure for spiritual travelers and corporate commuters alike.
Quick Facts: Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express
The service operates on the South Eastern Railway and East Coast Railway Official Zone Portal networks. The train provides daily scheduled operations on all days of the week except Thursday, when mandatory rake inspections take place.
| Route Specification | Operational Detail |
|---|---|
| Train Numbers | 22895 (Howrah to Puri) and 22896 (Puri to Howrah) |
| Operating Days | 6 Days a Week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) |
| Maintenance Day | Thursdays (No scheduled commercial run) |
| Total Distance | 500 km |
| Travel Duration | 6 hours 25 minutes (Howrah to Puri) and 6 hours 40 minutes (Puri to Howrah) |
| Maximum Track Speed | Up to 130 km/h across cleared track sections |
| Seating Formats | AC Chair Car (CC) and Executive Chair Car (EC) |
Rake composition consists of aerodynamic trainsets engineered at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. Every coach includes regenerative braking systems and centralized climate regulation.
Station Timetable and Intermediate Stops
The service stops at seven major urban and industrial stations along the eastern coastal mainline. Details regarding route planning and engineering upgrades are documented in the Vande Bharat Express Project Overview.
Travelers heading to industrial centers or exploring regional getaways like the historic places to visit in Balasore can utilize these stops for rapid day returns.
Schedule: 22895 Howrah Junction to Puri
| Station Name | Station Code | Arrival Time | Departure Time | Halt Duration | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howrah Junction | HWH | Origin | 06:10 AM | Starting Station | 0 km |
| Kharagpur Junction | KGP | 07:38 AM | 07:40 AM | 2 minutes | 115 km |
| Balasore | BLS | 09:03 AM | 09:05 AM | 2 minutes | 231 km |
| Bhadrak | BHC | 09:40 AM | 09:42 AM | 2 minutes | 294 km |
| Jajpur Keonjhar Road | JJKR | 10:07 AM | 10:09 AM | 2 minutes | 337 km |
| Cuttack Junction | CTC | 10:50 AM | 10:52 AM | 2 minutes | 409 km |
| Bhubaneswar | BBS | 11:20 AM | 11:24 AM | 4 minutes | 437 km |
| Khurda Road Junction | KUR | 11:42 AM | 11:44 AM | 2 minutes | 456 km |
| Puri Railway Station | PURI | 12:35 PM | Terminus | Destination | 500 km |
Schedule: 22896 Puri to Howrah Junction
| Station Name | Station Code | Arrival Time | Departure Time | Halt Duration | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puri Railway Station | PURI | Origin | 01:50 PM | Starting Station | 0 km |
| Khurda Road Junction | KUR | 02:23 PM | 02:25 PM | 2 minutes | 44 km |
| Bhubaneswar | BBS | 02:45 PM | 02:49 PM | 4 minutes | 63 km |
| Cuttack Junction | CTC | 03:15 PM | 03:17 PM | 2 minutes | 91 km |
| Jajpur Keonjhar Road | JJKR | 04:00 PM | 04:02 PM | 2 minutes | 163 km |
| Bhadrak | BHC | 04:50 PM | 04:52 PM | 2 minutes | 206 km |
| Balasore | BLS | 05:36 PM | 05:38 PM | 2 minutes | 269 km |
| Kharagpur Junction | KGP | 07:08 PM | 07:10 PM | 2 minutes | 385 km |
| Howrah Junction | HWH | 08:30 PM | Terminus | Destination | 500 km |
Ticket Fare Structure and Classes of Travel
Pricing for this corridor is split into two seating categories. Passengers heading for beach retreats along Puri Beach can choose between standard Chair Car seating and roomy Executive accommodations.
| Class Category | Base Fare (Excluding Food) | Catering Charge (Optional) | Total Fare With Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Chair Car (CC) | ₹1,130 | ₹300 | ₹1,430 |
| Executive Chair Car (EC) | ₹2,245 | ₹370 | ₹2,615 |
[!TIP] Catering is entirely optional on this train. Passengers can deselect catering charges on the booking screen to avoid food fees if carrying personal meals.
Unlike Shatabdi or Rajdhani services that apply dynamic Flexi-Fare multipliers as seats fill up, Vande Bharat Express maintains a fixed base tariff comprising basic superfast fare, reservation fee, and 5 percent GST. Last-minute travelers can book AC Chair Car seats under the Tatkal quota for an additional surcharge, though Indian Railways does not allocate Tatkal seats in Executive Chair Car.
Point-to-point fares scale proportionally for intermediate city pairs such as Howrah to Bhubaneswar, Howrah to Balasore, or Cuttack to Puri. Children aged 5 to 11 years are charged the full adult seat fare when an individual seat is reserved, while infants under 5 years travel free without a separate seat allocation.
Coach Composition and Modern Passenger Amenities
The train features modern engineering systems governed by guidelines from the Ministry of Railways Official Portal. Every rake features automated sliding doors, sealed gangways, and GPS-synchronized informational display screens.
| Feature Category | Technical and Ergonomic Specification |
|---|---|
| Safety Integration | KAVACH automated anti-collision system with aerosol fire suppression |
| Seating Technology | 180-degree reclining seats in CC and 360-degree rotating seats in EC |
| Sanitation Systems | Bio-vacuum touch-free toilets with fold-down infant diaper counters |
| Air Management | Roof-mounted air filtration using ultraviolet germicidal lamp purification |
Standard AC Chair Car coaches follow a 3x2 aisle configuration with contoured leg rests, seat-back magazine pockets, foldable dining trays, and individual three-pin charging sockets alongside USB ports under each row. Executive Chair Car coaches (E1 and E2) upgrade to wider 2x2 plush seating that swivels 180 degrees to face either the direction of travel or the panoramic side windows.
Driving trailer coaches at both ends of the rake incorporate wider entry vestibules, designated wheelchair parking bays, and accessible lavatories for passengers with reduced mobility. Overhead luggage racks run the full length of each saloon, complemented by Braille seat stickers and touch-sensitive reading lights.
Drivers and guards share direct audio intercom connections with every coach compartment. Emergency talk-back buttons allow passengers to contact train staff immediately when necessary.
Comparing Vande Bharat with Alternative Puri to Howrah Trains
The introduction of train 22895 provides the fastest day connection on the corridor. Ongoing investments in track doubling and electrification are highlighted in our review of the Railway Budget for Odisha.
| Train Name and Number | Departure Station and Time | Journey Duration | Operational Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vande Bharat Express (22895) | Howrah (06:10 AM) | 6h 25m | 6 Days a Week (Except Thu) |
| Howrah to Puri Shatabdi (12277) | Howrah (02:15 PM) | 7h 35m | Daily |
| Dhauli Express (12821) | Howrah (09:15 AM) | 8h 55m | Daily |
| Puri Superfast Express (12837) | Howrah (10:40 PM) | 8h 35m | Daily Overnight |
| Jagannath Express (18409) | Howrah (07:05 PM) | 9h 20m | Daily Overnight |
Vande Bharat remains the best option for travelers requiring same-day business visits or fast weekend coastal getaways. Traditional overnight express trains continue to serve passengers preferring sleeper berths.
How to Book Tickets Online via IRCTC
Booking tickets online is quick through the IRCTC Train Booking System web portal or mobile application. Advanced reservations open according to standard Indian Railways reservation periods.
After confirming train tickets, travelers can reserve suitable accommodations near the Grand Road or sea front using our reviewed list of hotels in Puri.
- Log into your verified IRCTC account through the official mobile app or desktop portal.
- Enter origin code HWH (Howrah) and destination code PURI (Puri) alongside your travel date.
- Select train number 22895 or 22896 and pick AC Chair Car or Executive Chair Car.
- Input passenger details, seat preference, and meal requirements before submitting payment.
- Complete payment via UPI or net banking to generate your electronic reservation slip.
General bookings open under the 60-day Advance Reservation Period excluding the date of journey, while AC Tatkal tickets open at 10:00 AM one day before the train leaves its originating station. Because Train 22895 departs Howrah early at 06:10 AM, its first reservation chart is finalized the preceding evening between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Onboard Catering Menu, Luggage Guidelines, and Platform Boarding Tips
Passengers opting into IRCTC catering on morning Train 22895 from Howrah receive a 1-liter packaged drinking water bottle, early morning tea or coffee with digestive biscuits, and a hot breakfast tray served past Kharagpur. Breakfast options alternate between vegetarian cutlets, upma, or paratha platters and double-egg omelette trays accompanied by fruit juice, with Executive Class guests receiving additional cornflakes and croissant servings.
On the afternoon return run aboard Train 22896 departing Puri at 01:50 PM, stewards serve a welcome drink after Khurda Road, evening tea with savory snacks near Bhadrak or Balasore, and a full hot dinner past Kharagpur. Dinner trays include steamed basmati rice, chapatis, yellow dal, paneer or chicken curry, curd, and a packaged sweet dessert.
Because intermediate stops at Khurda Road, Cuttack, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Kharagpur last just 2 minutes (and 4 minutes at Bhubaneswar), passengers must stand directly beside their electronic coach position indicator before the rake pulls in. Centralized pneumatic plug doors lock automatically prior to wheel movement, and compact medium-sized trolley suitcases fit far more easily onto overhead racks than oversized trunks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat
What is the travel time of the Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express?
Train 22895 completes the run from Howrah to Puri in 6 hours and 25 minutes. The return journey on train 22896 takes 6 hours and 40 minutes over the 500 km route.
Which days does the Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat train operate?
The train runs 6 days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Thursday is reserved for regular mechanical inspections and rake maintenance.
What are the primary stops between Howrah and Puri?
Intermediate stops comprise Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Khurda Road Junction. Each station halt ranges from 2 to 4 minutes.
Does the train see high demand during festival seasons?
Demand surges significantly during major gatherings like the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra festival. Travelers should reserve seats well in advance of peak holiday and festive periods.
Can passengers decline onboard catering charges while booking?
Passengers can select the no-food option during the booking workflow on IRCTC to eliminate meal fees. Opting out reduces the ticket price by ₹300 for Chair Car and ₹370 for Executive Class.
