Another reserved train joins the Delhi-Bihar festival rush. The Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special enters its regular three-day-a-week schedule on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Train 02252 leaves New Delhi at 8:35 am and reaches Patna at 9:30 pm.
The ‘starts today’ headline needs context. Trains ran on October 16 and 18; today begins the regular pattern. Northern Railway has scheduled 36 one-way trips through November, as detailed in The Indian Express railway schedule report.
Key Highlights
- Train 02252: New Delhi to Patna, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Train 02251: Patna to New Delhi, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
- Six intermediate stops, including Kanpur Central, Prayagraj and Buxar.
- Travel time: 12 hours 55 minutes outward; 13 hours 30 minutes returning.
- AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car seats; no sleeper accommodation.
Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special Running Dates
The outward and return trains follow different calendars.
- New Delhi to Patna (02252): After October 16 and 18, services run every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from October 21 to November 25, 2026.
- Patna to New Delhi (02251): After October 17 and 19, services run every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from October 22 to November 26, 2026.
- Total service: 18 journeys each way, or 36 scheduled one-way journeys during the festival operation.
New Delhi station uses the code NDLS. It is not Old Delhi (DLI) or Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT). A search showing only ‘Delhi’ can obscure that difference; use the station printed on the reservation.
After Wednesday, October 21, the next Delhi departures are October 24 and 26. These extra services do not guarantee seats on a chosen date.
Full Timetable and Six Stoppages
Six intermediate stops connect the terminals. The published train timetable provides the following arrival and departure timings. All entries are in Indian Standard Time.
| Station | 02252: Delhi to Patna | 02251: Patna to Delhi |
| New Delhi | Departs 8:35 am | Arrives 11:30 pm |
| Aligarh Junction | 10:21–10:23 am | 8:53–8:55 pm |
| Kanpur Central | 1:30–1:35 pm | 5:50–5:55 pm |
| Prayagraj Junction | 3:45–3:50 pm | 3:35–3:40 pm |
| Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction | 6:00–6:10 pm | 1:10–1:20 pm |
| Buxar | 7:26–7:28 pm | 11:25–11:27 am |
| Ara Junction | 8:10–8:12 pm | 10:38–10:40 am |
| Patna Junction | Arrives 9:30 pm | Departs 10:00 am |
At Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, the timetable allows ten minutes. The stops at Ara and Buxar are only two minutes each, so intermediate passengers need to be at the correct platform before arrival.
The outward journey takes 12 hours 55 minutes; the return takes 35 minutes longer. Boarding at Kanpur and leaving at Buxar? Search those stations rather than pay attention only to the full-route fare.
Vande Bharat Special Fare and IRCTC Ticket Booking
There are 16 coaches, but no sleeper berths. This is a chair-car service.
NDTV reported fares of ₹2,615 for AC Chair Car and ₹4,695 for Executive Chair Car on the Delhi-Patna service. Your bill may change with boarding points, meals, and charges. Business Today reports that declining meals may lower it.
For booking:
- Open the official IRCTC booking website and enter the travel date, origin, and destination.
- Search 02252 or 02251 according to the direction of travel. New Delhi is NDLS; Patna Junction is PNBE.
- Select CC or EC and review the displayed amount, catering choice, and current seat status before paying.
- Keep the PNR handy. Use Indian Railways’ enquiry services or the NTES system to check running information close to departure.
The IRCTC e-ticket guide explains how to view fares and seat availability. Current booking after chart preparation applies only if vacancies remain.
The Patna train reaches Delhi at 11:30 pm, leaving late-night onward transport to arrange. At Ara and Buxar, halts last just two minutes.
FAQs
Did the Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special start on October 21?
Its regular tri-weekly pattern starts on October 21, 2026. The train had already operated New Delhi departures on October 16 and 18, ahead of that schedule.
What time does train 02252 reach Patna?
Train 02252 is scheduled to leave New Delhi at 8:35 am and arrive at Patna Junction at 9:30 pm on the same day.
How much is the Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat ticket?
Reported full-route fares are ₹2,615 for AC Chair Car and ₹4,695 for Executive Chair Car. Confirm the final price on IRCTC before completing payment.
Does the train stop at Buxar and Ara?
Yes. Train 02252 is scheduled to reach Buxar at 7:26 pm and Ara at 8:10 pm, before reaching Patna Junction at 9:30 pm.
Can passengers book a sleeper berth on this special train?
No. The notified Vande Bharat Festival Special offers AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car. Passengers needing a sleeping berth must search for another train instead.
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