Popular Trains That Pass Through Pune Junction: Complete Guide

Pune Junction is one of the most popular and busy railway stations of the country. Every day more than 250 trains pass through this station. Some 146 trains halt here, 81 trains originate here while 78 trains terminate here. This figure has been counted while excluding the suburban local trains. This railway station leaves a deep mark on all of its passengers whether be it for a local transit or for a long distance journey to distant states.

The station code for Pune Junction is PUNE and it falls under the Central Railway zone. There are six platforms, twelve tracks and around 1.75 lakhs passengers pass through this railway station every single day. The speciality of this station is that you can board trains to almost all major cities such as Jammu, Kolkata, Jodhpur and Chennai. This happens as this station lies where the Mumbai–Chennai mainline and the Pune–Miraj–Londa line converge.

 In this blog we will discuss in detail the trains that pass through this station along with the timings, essential services and options to order food in train.

A Quick Note on Pune Junction’s Layout

Before getting into the trains, the platform logic is worth knowing as it saves a lot of last-minute scrambling.

Platform 1 is where the premium originating services depart: Deccan Queen, Nizamuddin Duronto, Jhelum Express. Platforms 2 and 3 handle southbound and eastern traffic trains to Kolhapur, Hubballi, Howrah. Platforms 4 and 5 are where the Mumbai intercity corridor lives; if you’re catching a Sinhagad or Pragati, start walking there. Platform 6 is the suburban end, right next to the metro interchange on the Aqua Line. Although these are the common stoppage platforms, the actual platform number of the train may vary. Use live train running status to track the platform number on which the train will halt.

The station has two entry points. One of them being the HH Prince Aga Khan Road, which connects the station to the older commercial regions of the city. The second entrance is from the northern side on the Raja Bahadur Mills Road which has become a little crowded with several IT entities.

Category 1: Vande Bharat Express (Semi-High-Speed)

Several Vande Bharat Express trains pass through Pune Junction. The top speed of Vande Bharat is around 130 km/h, although the possible speed of the train is much more. These trains don’t have locomotives at the front as they are self propelled.  Another limiting factor for the train’s speed is the gradient of the route. For example, the Bhor Ghat ascent significantly reduced the train speed.

Pune–Ajni (Nagpur) Vande Bharat  (26101/02):

Departs Pune at 06:25, reaches Ajni at 18:25. That’s the Vidarbha region in a single day without flying. The return, Train 26102, leaves Ajni at 09:50 and gets back to Pune by 21:50. Runs six days a week (no service on Tuesdays from Pune).

Pune–Hubballi Vande Bharat  (20670):

Leaves Pune at 14:15 and reaches Hubballi by 22:45. Stops at Satara, Sangli, Miraj, and Belagavi along the way, good coverage for anyone heading into North Karnataka. Runs three days a week.

Pune–Kolhapur Vande Bharat  (20674):

Same 14:15 departure, arrives Kolhapur at 19:40. Runs three days a week, verify current days on RailMitra before booking. The sugar belt corridor used to be a slog; this cut it down meaningfully.

Solapur–Mumbai CSMT Vande Bharat (22225/26):

Early morning sees the Solapur-bound Vande Bharat pass through Pune between 09:15 and 09:20. Late evening brings its return leg near 7:10 PM, give or take five minutes. Numbered 22225 for Mumbai direction, 22226 toward Solapur. This train passes through Pune Junction, instead of it being the starting point. Operates every day except Wednesday across weekly cycles.

Vande Bharat Sleeper – Mumbai CSMT to KSR Bengaluru (Upcoming):

Not yet running, the Vande Bharat Sleeper on the route from Mumbai CSMT to KSR Bengaluru got clearance in April 2026. Its launch likely arrives before December ends. Traveling via Pune and Solapur, it cuts travel duration sharply. From Pune to Bengaluru, clocks show nearly 16 hours – much faster than current trains manage. 

If your train is a Vande Bharat passing through Pune, you can check the live running position using RailMitra’s Live Train Status  service. It updates the train status in real time and can be acessed using the website as well as the application.

Category 2: Duronto & Humsafar Express (Elite Premium)

Duronto trains get high priority on the network. They run with limited halts and tend to stick closer to schedule than general express services. Pune has a decent cluster of them.

Pune–Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto (12263/64):

Twice weekly, this train operates: Tuesdays and Fridays. From Pune, departure hits 11:10 sharp. After Vasai Road comes Vadodara, one after another. When speed counts, few ground options match its pace toward Delhi. Called 12263 outbound, the return leg carries 12264. Those skipping air travel might find the train schedule works better. Movement flows west to north without detours. Rail users note its steady path past western hubs.

Ahmedabad–Pune Duronto (12297/98):

Before sunrise, the Ahmedabad–Pune Duronto (12297/98) arrives in Pune at 07:40 after departing from Ahmedabad. On return trips, locomotive 12298 rolls away from Pune not every day – only when Monday, Thursday, or Saturday ticks past midnight. Though these hours hold steady now, movement in timetables could still happen without warning. Because of that possibility, confirming recent updates matters before any ticket gets booked.

Pune–Howrah Duronto (12221/22):

Pulling away at three fifteen in the afternoon, this train heads east every Monday and Saturday. Twice each week, rail travelers can board the Pune–Howrah Duronto (12221/22). Nearly twenty-nine hours pass before reaching its endpoint. Though similar routes exist, this one gains time compared to the Azad Hind Express. Arrival happens earlier despite shared tracks along parts of the way.

SC–LTT Duronto (12219/20):

Before sunrise on Tuesdays and Fridays, the SC–LTT Duronto brushes past Pune around 07:50, timing shifts slightly based on travel direction. Connecting Secunderabad straight to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, it rolls through critical junctions such as Pune along the way. Cutting a clean path across central India, the journey links large stations without unnecessary diversions. Numbered 12219 when heading upward, then 12220 on return descent. Few stops mean travelers anticipate tight schedules, supported by its express classification. Although delays are rare, they sometimes surface despite operational precision.

Most trains under the Humsafar name feature only three-tier air-conditioned carriages. Running once a week, they often get fully booked – especially on routes between Pune and Nagpur.

Monday mornings bring the Santragachi–Pune Humsafar (20821/22) into town, coming from near Kolkata. Running on different days, Nagpur Humsafar (11417/18) serves its route with regular stops. The morning train traffic also includes Ajni Humsafar (22139/40), moving steadily between terminals. Ahmedabad to Chennai travelers can board ADI–MAS Humsafar (22920), which cuts across central India. Pune appears along several of these paths, linking distant cities by rail.

Category 3: The Mumbai–Pune Intercity Six

These six trains are practically Pune’s backbone. Between them, they cover departure windows from early morning to evening, and between 06:00 and 22:00 you’re rarely more than 90 minutes from one heading to Mumbai CSMT.

The Deccan Queen (12123/24) deserves a separate mention. It has been running since 1930, has a dining car, and carries a particular culture of monthly pass holders who’ve been making this trip for decades. It remains one of the very few long-distance trains in India that still runs a proper dining car with a fixed menu and waitstaff, a feature that’s largely disappeared from Indian Railways. The 3h 10m timing is also the fastest on the corridor for a conventional hauled service.

Pragati Express (12125/26) uses a different route via Panvel–Karjat, so if you’re heading to the Harbour Line side of Mumbai, this is the one to check. Check seat availability on all six using RailMitra’s Seat Availability tool before assuming you’ll get a walk-in reservation.

Category 4: Amrit Bharat Express (Affordable High-Speed)

Pune–Danapur Amrit Bharat  (11431):

This train leaves every day at 3:30 in the afternoon. Roughly 34 hours are needed to arrive in Danapur, traveling across nearly 1,748 kilometers of track. Instead of turning around during stops, two engines – one on each end – keep things moving forward efficiently. Because of this setup, there is no need for shunting maneuvers mid-route. Even though it can go as fast as 130 km/h, how often it halts affects total travel duration. The ride benefits from steady pickup between stations thanks to balanced power distribution.

The rake has 11 general coaches and 8 sleeper coaches. No AC. The occupancy has been above 100% consistently since launch, which is either a great sign or a reason to book early, probably both.

The bigger news is Amrit Bharat 3.0, which is reportedly going to include limited AC coaches in a hybrid configuration. That would open up a price bracket that currently has nothing between sleeper and 3AC.

Category 5: National Trans-Continental Networks

This is the category where Pune Junction earns its junction status. Trains in all four compass directions, some of them covering over 2,000 km.

Northern Corridor

Jhelum Express  (11077/78):Departs Pune daily at 17:20. Destination: Jammu Tawi, 2,174 km away, in just over 40 hours. Covers Madhya Pradesh, UP, Delhi, and Punjab. Heavily used by defence personnel and Vaishno Devi pilgrims.

Goa Express  (12779/80): Runs between Nizamuddin and Vasco da Gama. Passes through Pune, good for Goa-bound travellers from Delhi who don’t want to switch trains.

Jodhpur Express (20694):Departs around 00:15. It connects Pune to the Marwar region of Rajasthan.

Eastern Corridor

Azad Hind Express (12129/30):Daily superfast to Howrah. Departs at 18:35, passes through Central India’s industrial belt.

Konark Express (11019/20): Connects Pune to Bhubaneswar. Good option for Odisha travel.

Pune–Bhubaneswar SF (22881):Another Odisha link, faster scheduling than the Konark.

Santragachi Humsafar (20821):Already mentioned above, but it’s here too: all-AC, weekly, Kolkata suburbs.

Southern Corridor

Chennai Mail (12157/58) | Chennai Express (12163/64): Two separate trains, both heading to Chennai. The Mail runs via the Coromandel route, the Express via a different alignment. Both connect Pune to the Coromandel coast.

Udyan Express (11301/02):Bengaluru link. 18+ hours currently, but once the Vande Bharat Sleeper starts, this will face real competition.

Hussain Sagar Express (12701/02):Pune–Hyderabad. Particularly used by IT workers moving between the two cities. The tech-to-tech corridor that doesn’t get as much press as the Pune–Mumbai one.

Western Corridor

Ahmedabad Duronto (12297/98):(covered above) Jodhpur Express – 20694 Plus occasional specials to Bhuj, Veraval, and Rajasthan during peak seasons.

Vidarbha / Nagpur

Beyond the Vande Bharat, travelers can board the Nagpur Humsafar (11417), running once each week with full air-conditioning. While less frequent, the Ajni Humsafar (22139) offers another fully cooled journey on a seven-day cycle. For those watching expenses, the Garib Rath steps in – air-conditioned, yet priced lower.

Checking train times from one stop to another works anywhere, not only in Pune, thanks to RailMitra’s between-stations tool. When deciding between starting at Pune Junction or Daund, this helps spot less busy boarding spots. trains between stations 

Category 6: Regional and Suburban Trains

Mumbai–Pune Corridor Locals:17 daily services run between Pune and Lonavala, and 4 between Shivaji Nagar and Talegaon. Morning peak departures start as early as 06:30. These serve the Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial belt heavily such as Khadki, Akurdi, Chinchwad, Dapodi are all on the way.

Daund and Baramati DEMUs: Eight daily DEMU services connect Pune eastward through Hadapsar, Loni, Uruli, and Kedgaon toward Daund. Baramati has a separate spur. The section was electrified back in 2017 but still runs DEMUs pending full EMU rollout, that’s a separate infrastructure conversation.

Regional Expresses Koyna Express (11029/30) and Mahalaxmi Express (17411/12) pass through the Kolhapur railway station but via different train routes. These trains are much much slower than the available Vande Bharat options. However, these trains stop even at very small stations making it even better than the express trains in terms of accessibility and affordability.

Category 7: Seasonal and Special Trains

Pune Junction is also provided with a number of special trains on high rush and festival time. Whether it be the time of summer holidays or festivals like Holi, Diwali, Chhath and Durga Puja, Indian Railways launch several special trains to counter the huge tsunami of passengers reaching the station during these times. A significant chunk of this mass demand goes to the laborers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Summer Specials to Gorakhpur, Danapur, and Nagpur run from roughly April through June. Festival specials like the Pune–Ghazipur City Special and Pune–Barauni Special appear around October–November. These aren’t permanent entries in the timetable, so checking Central Railway’s official announcements or the RailMitra Train Schedule page is the most reliable way to spot them when they’re active.

How to Order Food on Your Train at Pune Junction

On Platform One, Pune Junction welcomed India’s inaugural Jumboking food truck, a rare sight back then. Elsewhere among the tracks, travelers find fourteen small eateries scattered through different levels. Near the central passage sits a government-subsidized meal counter offering budget plates. For those waiting longer, there is an indoor dining area with chairs and tables. That space works well when departure times stretch into hours.

With RailMitra’s Food in Train feature, typing in your PNR unlocks meal choices. Selections range from thalis to biryani – snacks appear too. Regional dishes show up based on where the train stops. What turns up depends partly on the station serving that route. It works at Pune Junction and at multiple stops along most major routes, so if you miss the window at Pune, you can often order at the next major halt.

How to Track Your Train’s Live Status at Pune Junction

Occasionally, platforms at Pune Junction fill quickly, especially when services bunch up during peak hours. Trains moving east face longer waits because they merge onto the busy Central Railway corridor. A quick status check ahead of departure might save time otherwise lost standing around. Real-time movement data helps adjust plans without relying on announcements alone.

Pune travelers find train updates without downloading anything. Real-time location plus delays appear through RailMitra’s tracking feature. Expect arrival times displayed clearly. The Station Live tool focuses only on Pune Junction movements. Arrival details shift as trains approach. Platform numbers update when schedules change. Waiting becomes easier with precise timing. Knowing departures helps plan pickups smarter.

Once the train chart forms, knowing your position gets easier with RailMitra’s update tool. Near chart prep time, it reveals seat numbers, coach assignments, while showing if confirmation has gone through. Information appears clearly after finalization, helping travelers track their exact spot without guesswork.

Trains by Destination Corridor: Quick Reference

Passenger Tips for Pune Junction

Passengers are advised to arrive at the Pune Junction 20 minutes before the time of the train’s departure. The station is very large and the platform number can change at the last moment. It is better to reach early and have enough time for these last minute adjustments. If you have heavy luggages with you, then also you are advised to reach the station a bit earlier than the time of train’s departure.

The premium trains usually start from Platform Number 1. To reach here, the main entrance on the Aga Khan Road is the fastest way to reach Platform Number 1. Passengers who are trying to board a local train should go through the Raja Bahadur Mills Road.

The Executive Lounge on Platform 1 is a paid-access waiting area with AC, showers, and Wi-Fi, usable if you have a long layover between connecting trains.

Metro connectivity is live from Platform 6 via the Pune Railway Station metro stop on the Aqua Line. If you’re reaching Pune Junction from anywhere along the Aqua Line, this is the exit you want.

Conclusion

Pune Junction is not a station you just pass through, for most of Maharashtra, it’s where journeys actually begin. With trains heading to every major city in the country, a growing Vande Bharat network, and a suburban system that stitches together the metro region’s industrial corridors, the station handles an enormous range of passenger needs. Whether you’re tracking a Duronto from the capital, booking a sleeper to Kolkata, or just catching the morning Deccan Queen to Mumbai, the trains at Pune Junction are reliably diverse and, most of the time, surprisingly well connected.

Use RailMitra to check live train status at Pune Junction, book food on your train, verify PNR status after chart preparation, or look up seat availability before your journey.

FAQs for Pune Junction

Q: What is the station code for Pune Junction?
A: PUNE. It falls under the Central Railway zone.

Q: How many trains pass through Pune Junction daily?
A: Around 146 trains halt here daily, with 81 originating and 78 terminating at the station.

Q: Which is the fastest train from Pune to Mumbai?
A: The Deccan Queen (12123/24) covers the route in 3 hours 10 minutes, making it the fastest conventional service. The Sinhagad Express is faster in practical terms for early morning commuters since it departs at 06:05.

Q: Does Vande Bharat stop at Pune Junction?
A: Yes. Several Vande Bharat trains originate or stop at Pune including the Pune–Ajni, Pune–Kolhapur, Pune–Hubballi, and the Solapur–Mumbai CSMT services.

Q: How do I check the live running status of trains at Pune Junction?
A: Use RailMitra’s Live Train Status, enter your train number for real-time position and expected arrival at Pune.

Q: Can I order food on the train at Pune Junction?
A: Yes. RailMitra’s Food in Train service allows you to order food to your seat by entering your PNR. Delivery is timed to the train’s halt at the station.

Q: Which train is best from Pune to Delhi? The Pune–Nizamuddin Duronto (12263) is the fastest, running twice a week. The Jhelum Express (11077) is the daily option.

Q: Is there a direct train from Pune to Bengaluru?
Yes. The Udyan Express (11301) runs daily. The Vande Bharat Sleeper on the Mumbai CSMT–Bengaluru route is expected to pass through Pune later in 2026 and will cut the journey time meaningfully once it’s operational.