Mumbai to Bangalore by Train — Overnight and Day Options
Guide to Mumbai-Bangalore trains covering Udyan Express, Chalukya Express, and Rajdhani. Compare overnight and day options with fares and practical tips.
Mumbai to Bangalore by train is about 1,000 km and takes 16-24 hours. It's a long journey — significantly longer than the 1.5-hour flight — but for those who enjoy train travel or need the budget savings, there are several solid options. The route passes through the Deccan Plateau with some impressive ghat sections.
Train Options
| Train | Number | From | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Fare Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Udyan Express | 11301/02 | CSMT | 08:05 | 07:00+1 SBC | ~23h | ₹400–₹2,500 |
| Chalukya Express | 11005/06 | CSMT | 21:25 | 17:10+1 SBC | ~19h 45m | ₹400–₹2,500 |
| Mumbai-Bangalore Rajdhani | 22691/92 | LTT | 20:00 | 07:00+1 SBC | ~17h | ₹1,500–₹3,800 |
| Sharavati Express | 11035/36 | CSMT | 22:40 | 17:15+1 SBC | ~18h 35m | ₹400–₹2,000 |
| Karnataka Express | 12627/28 | NDLS | Via | Via SBC | ~24h | ₹500–₹3,500 |
Udyan Express — The Scenic Route
The Udyan Express (11301/02) is the most storied train on this route. Departing CSMT at 8:05 AM, it's a daytime-start journey that gives you the full visual experience. The name means "garden" — a nod to Bangalore's Garden City moniker.
The train climbs through the Sahyadri Mountains between Pune and Belgaum, passing through several tunnels and offering views of the Western Ghats. The section between Belgaum and Dharwad runs through the northern Karnataka plateau — red soil, sugarcane fields, and the occasional ancient temple visible from the window.
At 23 hours, it's not fast. But if you treat it as a scenic experience rather than just transport, the Udyan delivers.
Rajdhani — The Fastest
The Mumbai-Bangalore Rajdhani (22691/92) is actually a Delhi-Bangalore Rajdhani that passes through Mumbai. It originates at Nizamuddin (Delhi) and reaches LTT (Mumbai) in the evening before continuing to Bangalore.
From LTT, it departs around 8 PM and reaches SBC by 7 AM next morning — about 17 hours, making it the fastest train option. Meals and bedding are included. The 3AC fare starts around ₹1,500.
The catch: availability from Mumbai depends on how full the train is from Delhi. During peak season, berths might be taken by Delhi passengers. Check availability specifically for LTT-SBC leg on indianrail.app.
Chalukya Express — Overnight Classic
The Chalukya Express (11005/06) departs CSMT at 9:25 PM and arrives SBC at 5:10 PM the next day. It's not truly overnight — you sleep through the first part but arrive in the late afternoon, not morning. This means you're on the train during the morning and afternoon, which has its advantages (daylight views) and disadvantages (a long second day on the train).
It's named after the Chalukya dynasty of Karnataka. The train is reliable and has a good reputation for maintenance.
Route Through the Deccan
The Mumbai-Bangalore route goes through:
Mumbai CSMT → Pune → Satara → Belgaum (Belagavi) → Dharwad → Hubli → Davangere → Tumkur → Bangalore
This is the Central Railway/South Western Railway route through the heart of the Deccan Plateau. The terrain shifts dramatically:
- Mumbai to Pune: The climb through Bhor Ghat (tunnels, bridges, monsoon waterfalls)
- Pune to Belgaum: Descends from the Ghats to the Deccan Plateau. Open farmland, sugarcane, and red soil.
- Belgaum to Hubli: Northern Karnataka plateau. Dry but productive agricultural land.
- Hubli to Davangere: Cotton and sunflower country.
- Davangere to Bangalore: The terrain becomes rockier, with granite outcrops. You're on the central Deccan Plateau.
Which Station?
Mumbai departures:- CSMT: Udyan, Chalukya, Sharavati
- LTT (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus): Rajdhani, some superfast trains
Should You Fly Instead?
Bluntly: if time is your priority, yes. Mumbai-Bangalore flights take 1.5 hours and cost ₹2,500-6,000. The fastest train takes 17 hours. That's more than 10x the flight time.
But trains make sense when:
- Budget matters: SL class at ₹400 is one-sixth the typical flight fare.
- You enjoy the journey: The Deccan Plateau, the Ghat section, the changing landscapes — it's 20+ hours of India unfolding.
- Heavy luggage: Train luggage policy is unbeatable.
- Overnight timing: Board at 8-9 PM, sleep 8 hours, use morning for reading or watching scenery, arrive by afternoon/evening.
Practical Tips
- The Belgaum/Belagavi station stop is a long one (10-15 minutes typically). Good for stretching legs and grabbing platform food. The station has decent samosas and chai.
- Hubli station is another long stop. If you need to stock up on food, this is your last major stop before the 6-hour run to Bangalore.
- Carry ample food for 20+ hour journeys. Pantry car services exist but are inconsistent on this route.
- AC coaches on summer journeys (April-June) are essential. The Deccan Plateau heat is unforgiving — SL class without AC will be uncomfortable.
- Book lower berths in 2AC/3AC for the Ghat section between Mumbai and Pune — the views are worth being awake for.
- Winter (Nov-Feb) is the best season for this journey — comfortable temperatures and clear skies.
Hubli as a Break Point
If 20+ hours feels excessive, consider splitting the journey. Take a morning train from Mumbai to Hubli (10-12 hours), spend a night in Hubli or Dharwad (excellent North Karnataka food — try the Dharwad peda), then continue to Bangalore the next day (6-7 hours). This makes the journey more manageable and you get to explore a part of Karnataka that most travelers skip.