Indian Railways Route Guide · Updated 2026-06-06

Delhi to Kolkata Train

Quick Answer

The fastest Delhi to Kolkata train is the Howrah Rajdhani Express (12301) — daily from New Delhi (NDLS) at 16:55, arriving Howrah Junction (HWH) at 09:55 the next day in 17 hours. Sealdah Rajdhani (12313) is another daily option (18 hours). Distance: 1,451 km. 3AC fare from ₹1,880. Poorva Express (12303) offers Sleeper class daily.

1451 km 17–20 hours Sleeper from ₹690 3AC from ₹1,880 2AC from ₹2,700

Popular Delhi to Kolkata Train Trains

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Delhi to Kolkata Train — Distance, Duration & Fares

DetailInfo
Rail Distance~1451 km
Journey Duration17–20 hours
Sleeper Class (SL)From ₹690 approx.
3 Tier AC (3AC / 3A)From ₹1,880 approx.
2 Tier AC (2AC / 2A)From ₹2,700 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 Delhi 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

Book Rajdhani seats 120 days in advance — 3AC on Howrah Rajdhani (12301) fills very quickly, especially during Durga Puja season (September–October).
Durga Puja is the peak travel season for Delhi–Kolkata trains. Book at the 8:00 AM opening 120 days before if travelling around Oct–Nov.
If Howrah Rajdhani 3AC is waitlisted, try Sealdah Rajdhani (12313) — separate train, different quota.
Poorva Express (12303) is the best daily budget option with reliable Sleeper availability.
WL on Delhi–Kolkata GNWL moves well — set PNR Alert WhatsApp notifications to track changes automatically.

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Fastest Train: Howrah Rajdhani Express (12301)

The Howrah Rajdhani Express (12301) is the fastest Delhi–Kolkata train — departing New Delhi (NDLS) daily at 16:55 and arriving Howrah Junction (HWH) at 09:55 the next morning, covering 1,451 km in exactly 17 hours. The Sealdah Rajdhani Express (12313) is another daily option departing from H. Nizamuddin (NZM) at 20:35 and arriving Sealdah (SDAH) at 14:45 (+1 day) — about 18 hours. Both Rajdhani trains are AC-only with meals included.


Budget Option: Poorva Express and Kalka Mail

For Sleeper class travel, the Poorva Express (12303) runs daily from New Delhi (NDLS) to Howrah (HWH) — taking approximately 27 hours. Sleeper fares are around ₹690, making it the most affordable regular service. The Kalka Mail (12311) is a legendary overnight train that has run this route for over a century and also has Sleeper class. The Duronto Express (12259) runs on select days (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat) for faster AC-class travel.


Howrah vs Sealdah — Which Kolkata Station for Your Train

Kolkata has two major railway termini and it matters which one your train arrives at. Howrah Junction (HWH) is on the west bank of the Hooghly River — one of India's busiest stations and better for Kolkata south, central, and areas near Howrah Bridge. Sealdah (SDAH) is in north Kolkata — better for Salt Lake, Dum Dum, and North Kolkata. Both are connected by metro and ferry. The Howrah Rajdhani (12301) arrives at HWH; the Sealdah Rajdhani (12313) arrives at SDAH.


Which Station in Delhi to Board Delhi–Kolkata Trains

The Howrah Rajdhani (12301) and Poorva Express (12303) depart from New Delhi (NDLS). The Sealdah Rajdhani (12313) departs from H. Nizamuddin (NZM). The Duronto (12259) also departs from NDLS. Delhi has four major stations — always check your ticket for the exact departure station.

Frequently Asked Questions — Delhi to Kolkata Train

The Howrah Rajdhani Express (12301) is the fastest — departing New Delhi (NDLS) at 16:55 daily and arriving Howrah Junction (HWH) at 09:55 the next morning in exactly 17 hours. The Sealdah Rajdhani (12313) takes about 18 hours to Sealdah station.
The rail distance from Delhi to Kolkata (Howrah) is approximately 1,451 km. The Howrah Rajdhani covers this in 17 hours; express trains like the Poorva Express take 27 hours with more halts.
Trains from Delhi arrive at either Howrah Junction (HWH) or Sealdah (SDAH) depending on the train. The Howrah Rajdhani (12301) and Poorva Express (12303) arrive at Howrah. The Sealdah Rajdhani (12313) arrives at Sealdah. Duronto (12259) arrives at Howrah. Check your ticket for the exact station.
The Poorva Express (12303) runs daily with Sleeper class fares starting from approximately ₹690 — the most affordable regular service on this route. The Kalka Mail (12311) is another affordable overnight option with Sleeper class.
Enter your 10-digit PNR on pnralert.in/pnr-status — no login required. Subscribe for free WhatsApp alerts to get notified when your WL ticket moves, gets confirmed, or chart preparation happens.
Durga Puja (September–October) is the peak festival season for this route — trains book out months in advance. Other busy periods are summer holidays (May–June), Diwali, and the Christmas–New Year window. Book 60+ days in advance during peak periods.
For the 17-hour Rajdhani journey, 3AC is recommended — AC, a proper berth, and meals make the overnight journey comfortable. Sleeper is fine for budget travellers, especially on cooler months. Avoid middle berth on Sleeper for a 27+ hour journey if possible.
As of 2026, Vande Bharat Express does not run the full Delhi–Kolkata distance. The Howrah Rajdhani remains the fastest option. Indian Railways has been expanding Vande Bharat routes — check for the latest announcements.

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