A new Vande Bharat Express is set to connect Bengaluru and Goa, offering a direct rail journey between Yesvantpur and Madgaon in around 13 hours and 20 minutes. The Railway Board approved the service on October 30, 2026. The train will travel via Mangaluru Junction, linking towns across Karnataka’s interior and coastal belt before reaching Goa.
The service is expected to begin in the third week of November. However, the final launch date and ticket prices have not yet been announced.
Route and Key Stoppages
The train will operate as a chair car service under numbers 26655 and 26656. The Yesvantpur–Madgaon service will stop at Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Mangaluru Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Mookambika Road Byndoor, Murdeshwar, Gokarna Road and Karwar. It will also halt at Thokur on the journey to Goa.
The route will provide direct connections between Bengaluru, several destinations in coastal Karnataka and Goa, without requiring passengers to change trains along the way.
A Scenic Stretch Through the Western Ghats
One of the journey’s highlights is the section between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. The route passes through the Western Ghats, with views of forested hills and green landscapes.
Passengers will also travel through coastal towns known for their beaches, temples and seaside scenery. The service could appeal to tourists as well as people travelling for work, education or religious visits.
Timings and Weekly Schedule
Train 26655 will depart Yesvantpur at 7:35 am and arrive at Madgaon at 8:55 pm. It will operate six days a week, except Wednesdays.
The return service, train 26656, will leave Madgaon at 8:20 am and reach Yesvantpur at 9:15 pm. It will run six days a week, except Thursdays.
The Railway Board has also decided to discontinue the existing Mangaluru Central–Madgaon Vande Bharat service, citing low passenger numbers.
What Passengers Should Know
The new service is designed to improve direct connectivity between Bengaluru and Goa while offering a scenic daytime journey. Travellers will need to wait for the official launch announcement and fare details before making bookings.
