Delhi to Mumbai Train: Best Trains, Fastest Routes and Booking Guide 2026

While Delhi shapes how India is run, Mumbai steers where money moves. Governance flows from one, economic momentum builds in the other. Each dominates a different sphere, yet both shape India’s core identity. It is quite obvious that a huge number of people travel in between these two cities for work, government or personal reasons.Yet, perhaps you’ve thought about how things stand on the rail line between Delhi and Mumbai.

Starting out at one city, the ride to the other lasts close to twenty-four hours, though certain services finish in less than fifteen. Others stretch past twenty-two, depending on scheduling and stops along the way. There is also a big rush for getting a confirmed train ticket. Tickets start getting booked as soon as the 60 day ARP process starts. Tatkal is no different. Trains like Rajdhani and Duronto are always in high demand because of their peak speed.

Understanding the importance of this route and the confusion among the passengers, we have decided to deal with this train route in detail. We have compiled the list of trains between these two cities, we have categorised these trains into different time sections, we provide detailed information about their fares, essential tips for travelers and how passengers can get restaurant quality train food delivery on this Delhi to Mumbai train route.

Stations on the Delhi to Mumbai Train Route

Before we head on to the popular trains that connect this popular Delhi to Mumbai train route, it is important to understand which stations does this route pass through. Here is a list of stations that this route covers:

Note: This table provides a figurative list of the stations. Different trains have different train routes. Therefore the actual stations on the route changes from train to train. You can check train specific route with the help of Train Schedule service.

All Trains from Delhi to Mumbai: Sorted by Travel Duration

Over thirty trains connect Delhi to Mumbai. Departure hubs near Delhi consist of NDLS, NZM, DEE, along with SSB. Trains reach Mumbai through stations like MMCT, BDTS, CSMT, also LTT. Listed beneath are every train arranged by travel time – top to bottom, quickest first.

Trains that take less than 18 Hours

Trains that take more than 18 Hours

Right now, the 12432 TVC Rajdhani along with the 22414 NZM MAO Rajdhani clocks in at 15 hours and 24 minutes, topping the list for speed on this route. Just behind them, by a mere three minutes, runs the 12264 Pune Duronto. When it comes to nonstop travel between Delhi and Mumbai Central, one standout performer emerges: the 12952 MMCT Tejas Rajdhani finishes the trip in 15 hours 40 minutes.

Delhi to Mumbai Train Timings: Organized by Time of Day

Early Morning (12:00 AM – 5:59 AM)

The Golden Temple Mail departs at 4AM, however despite its earthly morning timing the train remains booked. Another train called the Punjab Mail leaves NDLS at 5:10 and is one of the longest operating trains in the country. These trains take about 19 hours to complete the journey, yet when all the other faster train options are filled, there might be few seats left for booking.

Morning (6:00 AM – 11:59 AM)

Early morning departures from NZM offer strong timing advantages. Around 6:16 AM, one tightly packed group of services begins, setting the pace. Within moments, three quick trains roll out almost together, catching any means reaching Mumbai before nightfall. From Sarai Rohilla, another choice appears later. At 8:55, the DEE Garib Rath moves out, offering air-conditioned travel at low cost. This train becomes relevant once earlier seats run out.

Afternoon (12:00 PM – 3:59 PM)

Later arrivals often push onward past Delhi rather than beginning their journey at that point, which typically means quicker boarding through smaller lines. Traveling the full stretch to Thiruvananthapuram gives the Kerala Sampark Kranti an edge in total ridership.

Evening (4:00 PM – 8:59 PM)

Evening brings a hard competition among the trains for user attention. The reasons for this are simple, board the train in the evening and by the morning you are at your destination. Just 5 minutes before 5’ O Clock 12952, Tejas Rajdhani leaves NDLS. A few minutes before this train, Paschim Express (12926) and MMCT Tejas Rajdhani (12952) leave NDLS as well. The evening trains are perfect for passengers travelling with their families. 

Night (9:00 PM – 11:59 PM)

Twenty minutes past eight marks the departure of the ASR CSMT Express, which spends just beyond twenty-seven hours en route, reaching CSMT two full days later; even so, it runs daily and tends to hold seats free when competing options fill up. Close to half past three in the afternoon, the MMCT Duronto eases ahead of other departures scheduled for ten fifteen p.m., arriving at Mumbai Central when daylight still stretches across platforms, helpful should light matter more than reaching before shadows settle.

Delhi to Mumbai Train Fare Guide 2026

Fares depend on the train category, class, and whether you’re booking general quota or Tatkal. These are approximate base fares.

Rajdhani / Tejas Rajdhani (meals included)

Duronto Express

Sampark Kranti / Garib Rath / SF Expresses

Mail / Express Trains

Tatkal Surcharges

Premium Tatkal tickets are not like your average ticket where the price remains static. Premium tatkal are like flight tickets where the demand decides the price. When the demand is high, the price can often get 2x or 3x the original ticket price.

Tips to Get a Confirmed Ticket

The train ticket booking window or the ARP begins 60 days before the date of train’s departure. Try to book your train tickets on this day itself, if possible. Popular trains like Rajdhani and Tejas are booked on this day itself. Therefore at 8 AM on the first day of ARP try to get your ticket booking completed.

Try alternate station pairs. Most people search NDLS to MMCT. Switching to NZM to BDTS or NZM to MMCT on the same trains sometimes shows better quota availability.

Check 3E and Garib Rath first. These are overlooked. 3E class gives you AC travel at lower fares and waitlists move faster because fewer people know to look there.

Use Tatkal as a backup, not a plan. On popular trains, even Tatkal fills in minutes. Priced between two and three times the standard ticket, Premium Tatkal suits emergencies. Rely on it solely if alternatives run out.

Understand waitlist odds. WL/1 to WL/20 on most trains has a reasonable confirmation chance if booked early. Beyond WL/40 on a Rajdhani is risky. Mail and Express trains confirm higher waitlists more reliably.

Keep Paschim Express or Punjab Mail as fallback. These run daily, availability is better, and a confirmed lower berth in Sleeper beats a high waitlist on any Rajdhani.

Which Class to Book

1A gives you a private or semi-private cabin with curtains. Best for those who need privacy on a long journey, but not available on every train and expensive.

2A is the standard choice for business travelers. Eight berths per bay with curtains, air conditioned, and comfortable enough for a 15 to 16 hour run.

3A is where most people end up. Six berths per bay, no curtains between bays, still AC. For an overnight journey this works fine and costs significantly less.

3E is available on select trains including Garib Rath. Slightly more berths per coach than standard 3A but fares are lower. Worth checking before defaulting to 3A.

Sleeper is non-AC. Works well in winter on this route. In summer a 15-plus hour journey in Sleeper is uncomfortable, though many people still travel this way.

General has no reserved seating and is not practical for Delhi to Mumbai.

Which Delhi Station to Board From

Most travelers reaching the capital by train arrive at New Delhi station (NDLS). This hub handles more foot traffic than any rail point across India due to its central location. Metro links are strong, especially through the Yellow Line connection. Getting to the airport is done using a special express route.

Begin your trip from Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM), a hub for numerous premier trains. Though often overlooked, it serves as the starting point for long-distance routes across India. Found in southern Delhi, it links directly to the Metro’s Violet Line. When your ticket shows NZM as a departure point, arriving here makes sense, picking a preferred berth comes easier, plus crowds stay lighter compared to NDLS.

Heading into Delhi Sarai Rohilla (DEE) are certain rail services, including the BDTS Garib Rath. Located close to Karol Bagh, passenger volume here stays lower than at most central stations across Delhi.

Mumbai Arrival Stations

When you think of a Railway Station, you usually assume that there will be one station in the city. For most small cities this might hold true but for bigger cities there can be multiple railway stations. Therefore it is natural that a city of the size and scale of Mumbai has many stations. However, for passengers boarding their train can be confusing. Therefore we are describing railway stations of the city. You can choose the once that suits best for you based on their distance from your location.

Mumbai Central (MMCT)

It is one of the most popular railway stations of Mumbai. This is the station where many popular trains of this route like the Rajdhani and Tejas end their journey. If you are heading towards Bandra, Andheri and northern regions of this city, this station is perfect for you. This railway station is well connected with the Western Railways.

Bandra Terminus (BDTS)

Heading toward Mumbai’s western suburbs? Bandra Terminus (BDTS) cuts down travel time upon reaching the city. Reaching your destination becomes quicker once you arrive.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal (CSMT)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal or CSMT is the busiest railway station in India. Long distance trains like Punjab Mail and CSMT Rajdhani connect this city with the capital city of Delhi. This railway station is located in the Southern part of Mumbai. If you are someone living in this region, CSMT is the best station for you.

A trip toward Thane, Navi Mumbai, or areas east usually kicks off at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, nestled in Kurla. Despite sitting amid urban noise, the station runs steadily under the radar for regular travelers. Its pulse matches the arrival and departure of trains, consistent, unhurried. Connections stretch outward, stitching distant pockets into one web. Rhythm keeps it alive; motion gives it meaning. A quiet hub, it rarely tops travel plans, yet holds steady in function. Moving through becomes the point, rather than arriving, transition shapes its purpose.

Far beyond Mumbai’s core sits Panvel, marked simply as PNVL on timetables. Not a primary hub, yet some Rajdhani trains stop briefly during their run. Occasionally, Duronto routes also pause at this point along the line. When heading toward Navi Mumbai, stepping off at this point may shorten travel duration. A brief detour could mean quicker arrival.

Checking PNR Status and Live Train Running Status

After booking, two things you’ll keep checking are PNR status and live train status. Your PNR is the 10-digit number on your ticket. You can check it on RailMitra’s PNR Status page without logging in, it shows current booking status, berth number if confirmed, and coach details.

Waitlist updates happen in real time in the days before departure. The chart is usually prepared 4 hours before departure. After chart preparation, e-tickets that don’t confirm get automatically cancelled with refund processed.

For live status on travel day, Delhi to Mumbai trains can run 30 minutes to a few hours late depending on season and track conditions. RailMitra’s Train Live Status page shows the train’s current location and expected arrival at your station, worth checking before you leave home.

Food on the Train

A 15 to 27 hour journey means eating on board. Pantry car food is available on most trains but quality varies. Rajdhani and Tejas fares include meals, though they’re standard railway catering.

A better option is ordering from restaurants near stations your train stops at. RailMitra’s food in train service lets you place the order in advance and get hot food delivered to your berth. At places such as Kota, Vadodara, Surat, and Borivali, this system performs effectively. Those seeking Jain meals, strictly vegetarian dishes, or lighter cooking methods find that placing orders online beats hoping the pantry car stocks their needs.

Checking Seat Availability

Checking seat status before confirming? RailMitra’s train seat availability tool shows live updates for every train on your route, all in a single view. When your first choice has long waiting times, this feature lets you see alternatives with space – same-day departures included, so there is no need to search multiple entries manually.

Final Word

Few routes see more train traffic across India than this one. When schedules open, seats vanish quickly, especially on high-demand services where standby lists grow fast because timing affects availability more than most expect. Mid-week travel instead of Friday or Sunday makes a visible difference. Same for avoiding long weekends and festival periods around Diwali, Holi and the summer vacation months.

For most travelers the practical choice is 2A or 3A on a Rajdhani or Duronto departing in the evening from NZM,  sleep through the journey, wake up in Mumbai. Book on Day 1 of ARP, keep Paschim Express or Golden Temple Mail as your confirmed backup, and use RailMitra to track PNR status and live train running status on travel day.