Indian Railways Route Guide · Updated 2026-06-06

Chennai to Kolkata Train

Quick Answer

The most popular Chennai to Kolkata train is the Coromandel Express (12842) — daily from Chennai Central (MAS) to Howrah Junction (HWH) in approximately 26–28 hours along the East Coast. Distance: 1,660 km. Sleeper from ₹760, 3AC from ₹2,055. Passes through Nellore, Visakhapatnam, and Bhubaneswar.

1660 km 26–30 hours Sleeper from ₹760 3AC from ₹2,055 2AC from ₹2,950

Popular Chennai to Kolkata Train Trains

More trains run on this route. See all trains with live seat availability →

Chennai to Kolkata Train — Distance, Duration & Fares

DetailInfo
Rail Distance~1660 km
Journey Duration26–30 hours
Sleeper Class (SL)From ₹760 approx.
3 Tier AC (3AC / 3A)From ₹2,055 approx.
2 Tier AC (2AC / 2A)From ₹2,950 approx.
Advance Booking Opens120 days before journey at 8:00 AM IST
Tatkal Booking Opens1 day before — AC at 10:00 AM, Non-AC at 11:00 AM IST

* Fares are approximate base fares. Actual fares vary by train, quota, and season. Check live fares on IRCTC before booking.

How to Book Chennai to Kolkata Train Ticket

  1. Check seat availability first — use PNR Alert route search to see which trains have confirmed seats on your travel date and class.
  2. Choose train and class — Rajdhani is fastest, AC-only. For Sleeper class, choose Express or Superfast trains. Compare departure times, days, and classes.
  3. Book on IRCTC — go to irctc.co.in or IRCTC Rail Connect app. Log in, select train/class/quota, and pay. Book up to 120 days in advance at 8:00 AM.
  4. Note your PNR number — your 10-digit PNR appears in the IRCTC booking confirmation email and SMS. Enter it on PNR Alert to track status and get WhatsApp alerts.

Booking Tips

Coromandel 12842 is one of India's most sought-after trains — book 45–60 days ahead.
East Coast Express is the fallback if Coromandel 3AC is full.
3AC or 2AC is recommended for the 27-hour overnight+day journey.
Tatkal opens 1 day before at 10 AM (AC) / 11 AM (non-AC).
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On travel day, use live running status to track train location and delay.

Coromandel Express Return (12842)

The Coromandel Express (12842) departs Chennai Central (MAS) daily and arrives Howrah Junction (HWH) in approximately 26–28 hours. Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, and 1AC. Named after the Coromandel Coast, it follows the Bay of Bengal shoreline through Nellore, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), and Bhubaneswar.


East Coast Express (12822)

The East Coast Express (12822) is a reliable daily alternative from Chennai to Howrah with similar classes and slightly longer journey time (~28–30 hours). Good alternative if Coromandel is waitlisted.


Scenic Highlights on the Return Journey

Northbound from Chennai: after crossing Andhra Pradesh flatlands to Vizag's coast and hills, the train enters Odisha's dense forests and rice paddies before arriving in Kolkata. Dawn around Bhubaneswar–Kharagpur is particularly scenic.


Arriving at Howrah Junction (HWH)

Coromandel arrives at Howrah Junction (HWH), across the Hooghly from Kolkata city. The iconic Howrah Bridge is right outside the station. Metro Line 1 (Howrah-Dum Dum) connects Howrah to central Kolkata.

Frequently Asked Questions — Chennai to Kolkata Train

Coromandel Express (12842, daily MAS to HWH, ~26–28 hours) is the most popular and prestigious. East Coast Express (12822) is the reliable daily alternative.
Coromandel: ~26–28 hours. East Coast Express: ~28–30 hours. Distance: 1,660 km.
Key stops: Nellore (AP), Visakhapatnam (VSKP), Vizianagaram (VZM), Bhubaneswar (BBS), Kharagpur (KGP), Howrah (HWH). The coastal stretch near Vizag is the most scenic.
Coromandel: Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, 1AC. East Coast Express: same classes.
Sleeper: from ₹760. 3AC from ₹2,055. 2AC from ₹2,940. Fares vary.
Enter your 10-digit PNR at pnralert.in/pnr-status. Free WhatsApp alerts available.
Yes — Coromandel Express (12841) runs Howrah→Chennai, and 12842 runs Chennai→Howrah, both via the same East Coast route through Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.
Yes — Bhubaneswar (BBS), Odisha's capital, is a major stop. It is close to Puri (75 km) and Konark Sun Temple (60 km) — popular side trips for those breaking their journey.

Railway Guides for This Journey

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