Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express: Route, Timings & Fare
Complete guide to the Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express (22895/22896). Check daily timetable, station stops, CC & EC ticket fares, catering, and booking steps.
The Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express (Train Numbers: 22895 / 22896) is Odisha’s flagship semi-high-speed train corridor, connecting the pilgrim city of Puri with Kolkata (Howrah Junction). Operated by the East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Eastern Railway (SER), this state-of-the-art train covers the 500-kilometer journey in just 6 hours and 25 minutes, slashing travel time by more than 2 hours compared to conventional express trains.
Whether you are planning a pilgrimage to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, attending the world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra, or exploring the Blue Flag accredited Puri Beach (Golden Beach), the Vande Bharat Express offers the fastest and most comfortable rail journey between Bengal and Odisha.
Here is your complete guide to the Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express, featuring the official station timetable, intermediate stops, ticket prices for AC Chair Car (CC) and Executive Class (EC), onboard amenities, and booking instructions.
⚡ Quick Facts: Puri – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Train Numbers | 22895 (Howrah to Puri) | 22896 (Puri to Howrah) |
| Operating Days | 6 Days a Week (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closed on Thursdays for maintenance |
| Total Distance | 500 km |
| Total Travel Time | 6 hours 25 minutes (Down) | 6 hours 40 minutes (Up) |
| Average Speed | ~77 km/h (Top operational track speed up to 130 km/h) |
| Primary Zonal Railways | East Coast Railway (ECoR) & South Eastern Railway (SER) |
| Official Booking Engine | IRCTC Official E-Ticketing System |
| Live Train Tracking | National Train Enquiry System (NTES) |
🚆 Station Timetable & Intermediate Stops
The Vande Bharat Express connects key administrative, educational, and industrial hubs across coastal Odisha and West Bengal:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Howrah – Puri Vande Bharat Route │
└────────────────────┬────────────────────┘
Howrah (06:10 AM) ➔ Kharagpur ➔ Balasore ➔ Bhadrak ➔ Jajpur K. Road ➔ Cuttack ➔ Bhubaneswar ➔ Khurda Rd ➔ Puri (12:35 PM)
Puri (01:50 PM) ➔ Khurda Rd ➔ Bhubaneswar ➔ Cuttack ➔ Jajpur K. Road ➔ Bhadrak ➔ Balasore ➔ Kharagpur ➔ Howrah (08:30 PM)Schedule: 22895 Howrah Junction (HWH) to Puri (PURI)
| Station Name | Station Code | Arrival Time | Departure Time | Halt Time | Distance from Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howrah Junction | HWH | Origin | 06:10 AM | — | 0 km |
| Kharagpur Junction | KGP | 07:38 AM | 07:40 AM | 2 mins | 115 km |
| Balasore | BLS | 09:03 AM | 09:05 AM | 2 mins | 231 km |
| Bhadrak | BHC | 09:40 AM | 09:42 AM | 2 mins | 294 km |
| Jajpur Keonjhar Road | JJKR | 10:07 AM | 10:09 AM | 2 mins | 337 km |
| Cuttack Junction | CTC | 10:50 AM | 10:52 AM | 2 mins | 409 km |
| Bhubaneswar | BBS | 11:20 AM | 11:24 AM | 4 mins | 437 km |
| Khurda Road Junction | KUR | 11:42 AM | 11:44 AM | 2 mins | 456 km |
| Puri Railway Station | PURI | 12:35 PM | Destination | — | 500 km |
Schedule: 22896 Puri (PURI) to Howrah Junction (HWH)
| Station Name | Station Code | Arrival Time | Departure Time | Halt Time | Distance from Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puri Railway Station | PURI | Origin | 01:50 PM | — | 0 km |
| Khurda Road Junction | KUR | 02:23 PM | 02:25 PM | 2 mins | 44 km |
| Bhubaneswar | BBS | 02:45 PM | 02:49 PM | 4 mins | 63 km |
| Cuttack Junction | CTC | 03:15 PM | 03:17 PM | 2 mins | 91 km |
| Jajpur Keonjhar Road | JJKR | 04:00 PM | 04:02 PM | 2 mins | 163 km |
| Bhadrak | BHC | 04:50 PM | 04:52 PM | 2 mins | 206 km |
| Balasore | BLS | 05:36 PM | 05:38 PM | 2 mins | 269 km |
| Kharagpur Junction | KGP | 07:08 PM | 07:10 PM | 2 mins | 385 km |
| Howrah Junction | HWH | 08:30 PM | Destination | — | 500 km |
💰 Ticket Fare Structure & Classes of Travel
The Puri–Howrah Vande Bharat Express offers two air-conditioned seating tiers: AC Chair Car (CC) and Executive Chair Car (EC). Fares vary based on catering selection:
| Travel Class | Base Fare (Excl. Food) | Catering Charge (Breakfast / Dinner) | Total Fare with Catering (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Chair Car (CC) | ₹1,130 | ₹300 | ₹1,430 |
| Executive Chair Car (EC) | ₹2,245 | ₹370 | ₹2,615 |
[!TIP] Catering is optional. During online booking on IRCTC, passengers can choose to opt out of the food service if they prefer to bring their own refreshments, which deducts the catering component from the final ticket amount.
💺 Coach Composition & Modern Passenger Amenities
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Vande Bharat 2.0 Feature Highlights │
└──────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────┘
┌────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────┐
↓ ↓ ↓
360° Rotating EC Seats KAVACH Anti-Collision GPS Info & Wi-Fi
• Ergonomic plush recline • Auto-braking safety tech • Real-time speed displays
• Individual reading lights • Emergency call buttons • Touch-free bio-toilets- Aerodynamic Trainset: Self-propelled electric multiple unit (EMU) architecture providing rapid acceleration and deceleration without requiring a separate locomotive.
- KAVACH Safety Integration: Equipped with India’s indigenous Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alongside Level-3 fire detection and automatic aerosol suppression systems.
- Executive Class Luxury: Executive coaches feature 360-degree rotating seats that can be aligned toward the panoramic sealed windows for scenic countryside views.
- Bio-Vacuum Toilets: Touch-free sensor-activated washrooms with modular fittings, baby-care diaper changing stations, and disabled-friendly wide doorways.
- Air Purification: Advanced roof-mounted air conditioning with photo-catalytic ultraviolet air purification systems that eliminate airborne pathogens and viruses.
⏱️ How It Compares with Alternative Trains on the Puri–Howrah Route
Before the launch of the Vande Bharat Express, the fastest morning train was the Shatabdi Express. Here is how Vande Bharat compares with traditional rail services on this sector:
| Train Name & Number | Departure from Howrah | Total Travel Time | Running Days | Seating / Berths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vande Bharat Express (22895) | 06:10 AM | 6h 25m (Fastest) | 6 Days (Except Thu) | CC, EC |
| Howrah–Puri Shatabdi (12277) | 02:15 PM | 7h 35m | Daily | CC, EC |
| Dhauli Express (12821) | 09:15 AM | 8h 55m | Daily | 2S, CC |
| Puri Superfast Express (12837) | 10:40 PM | 8h 35m (Overnight) | Daily | Sleeper, 3A, 2A, 1A |
| Jagannath Express (18409) | 07:05 PM | 9h 20m (Overnight) | Daily | Sleeper, 3A, 2A |
To learn more about rail modernization projects across the state, read our detailed report on the Railway Budget for Odisha.
🎫 How to Book Tickets Online via IRCTC
- Visit IRCTC: Open the official IRCTC E-Ticketing Website or open the IRCTC Rail Connect App.
- Enter Journey Details: Enter
HWH(Howrah) in the “From” field andPURI(Puri) in the “To” field (or vice versa). - Select Date & Class: Choose your travel date and select AC Chair Car (CC) or Executive Chair Car (EC) under the General or Tatkal quota.
- Locate Train 22895 / 22896: Select VANDE BHARAT EXP from the search results and click on Book Now.
- Add Passenger Details: Fill in passenger names, ages, seat preferences, and catering choice (Veg / Non-Veg / No Food).
- Payment & Confirmation: Complete payment via UPI, Credit/Debit Card, or Net Banking to receive your confirmed Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS).
Planning a vacation in the holy city? Check our guide on the 10 Best Hotels in Puri and top sights in Balasore District.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the travel time of the Puri to Howrah Vande Bharat Express?
The train covers 500 km between Howrah and Puri in 6 hours and 25 minutes (Train 22895) and Puri to Howrah in 6 hours and 40 minutes (Train 22896).
On which days does the Puri–Howrah Vande Bharat Express operate?
The train operates 6 days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It does not run on Thursdays due to scheduled technical maintenance.
What are the intermediate stops between Howrah and Puri?
The train halts at 7 intermediate stations: Kharagpur Junction (WB), Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Khurda Road.
What is the ticket price for the Puri Vande Bharat Express?
The ticket price for AC Chair Car (CC) is approximately ₹1,430 (with catering) or ₹1,130 (without food), while Executive Class (EC) is approximately ₹2,615 (with food) or ₹2,245 (without food).
Is food compulsory on the Puri–Howrah Vande Bharat train?
No. Catering is optional. Passengers can opt out of the catering service while booking tickets on the IRCTC portal and save the food surcharge.