The Surat Udaipur City Vande Bharat Express, Train No. 26903 and 26904, is set to launch this week as Surat first originating Vande Bharat service. This semi high speed train will connect the textile and diamond hub of South Gujarat directly with Udaipur in Rajasthan. Ticket bookings officially opened on October 1, 2026, through IRCTC counters and online booking platforms. The new service is expected to make travel between Surat and Udaipur faster and more comfortable, reducing the journey time compared with road travel. For passengers in South Gujarat, this train offers a direct rail link to one of Rajasthan most popular destinations, making it easier to plan both business and leisure trips.
Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Launch and Schedule
The inaugural special run is scheduled for October 2, 2026. The special train, Train No. 09103, is scheduled to depart from Surat at 10:00 AM and arrive in Udaipur at 5:40 PM. Regular services will begin from:
- October 3, 2026: Ex Udaipur
- October 4, 2026: Ex Surat
The train will operate 6 days a week, with service every day except Tuesday. The travel duration is 7.5 hours, compared with an 8 to 9 hour road journey. This makes the Vande Bharat Express a faster and more convenient option for passengers travelling between the two cities. The morning departure from Surat and the late afternoon departure from Udaipur allow passengers to complete their journey within the same day.
Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Train Timings
The regular schedule provides a morning departure from Surat and a late afternoon departure from Udaipur.
| Train Number | Route | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26903 | Surat to Udaipur City | 06:10 AM | 01:40 PM |
| 26904 | Udaipur City to Surat | 03:35 PM | 11:00 PM |
Train No. 26903 will leave Surat at 6:10 AM and reach Udaipur City at 1:40 PM. The return service, Train No. 26904, will depart Udaipur City at 3:35 PM and arrive in Surat at 11:00 PM. These timings are convenient for passengers who want to travel during the day and reach their destination by evening or late night.
Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Route and Stoppages
The train will make 9 key halts across Gujarat and Rajasthan. The stoppages are:
- Bharuch
- Vadodara
- Anand
- Maninagar
- Asarva (Ahmedabad)
- Himmatnagar
- Shamlaji Road
- Dungarpur
- Zawar
The route provides a direct connection between Surat and Udaipur through these important stations. Passengers from Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand and Ahmedabad will also benefit from this service, as the train stops at these major stations. The inclusion of stations like Himmatnagar, Shamlaji Road, Dungarpur and Zawar makes the service useful for passengers travelling to and from smaller towns along the route.
Train Coaches and Maintenance Facility
The Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Express will operate with an 8 coach rake configuration. The rake will include:
- Standard AC Chair Cars
- Premium Executive Chair Cars
The primary maintenance facility for the train has been established in Surat. This means that the train will be maintained and serviced at Surat, which is an important operational advantage because it ensures that the rake is available for daily service without long gaps. The maintenance facility in Surat also creates local employment opportunities and supports the railway infrastructure in the region.
Impact on Existing Vande Bharat Service
To accommodate the new service, Western Railway is discontinuing the existing Udaipur City to Asarva Vande Bharat Express, Train No. 26963 and 26964, effective October 2, 2026. The rakes from that train are being repurposed and extended to serve the new route, providing passengers with a direct line to Surat instead of terminating in Ahmedabad. This change means that passengers who were earlier using the Udaipur to Asarva service will now have the option to travel directly to Surat, which is a major city in South Gujarat. The extension of the route is expected to benefit a larger number of passengers and improve connectivity between Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Ticket Booking Opens | October 1, 2026 |
| Inaugural Special Run | October 2, 2026 |
| Regular Service from Udaipur | October 3, 2026 |
| Regular Service from Surat | October 4, 2026 |
| Weekly Service | 6 Days |
| Weekly Off | Tuesday |
| Travel Duration | 7.5 Hours |
Why This Train Matters for Surat and Udaipur
The Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Express is important because it gives Surat its first originating Vande Bharat service. Until now, passengers from Surat who wanted to travel to Udaipur had to rely on other trains or road transport. With this new service, they can board the train directly from Surat and reach Udaipur in 7.5 hours. For Udaipur, the train provides a direct connection to Surat, which is a major industrial and commercial centre. The service is expected to boost tourism, business travel and trade between the two regions. Udaipur is a popular tourist destination known for its lakes, palaces and heritage sites, and the new train will make it easier for travellers from Surat to visit the city.
Conclusion
The Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Express will become Surat first originating Vande Bharat service. Train No. 26903 will operate from Surat to Udaipur City, while Train No. 26904 will run from Udaipur City to Surat. The regular Surat departure is scheduled for 6:10 AM, with arrival in Udaipur at 1:40 PM. The return service will depart Udaipur at 3:35 PM and reach Surat at 11:00 PM. The service will operate six days a week, except Tuesday, with 9 key stoppages across Gujarat and Rajasthan. With ticket bookings already open and the inaugural run scheduled for October 2, 2026, the new Vande Bharat Express is expected to become a popular travel option for passengers travelling between Surat and Udaipur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When will the Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Express start?
A1. The inaugural special run is scheduled for October 2, 2026, with regular services beginning from October 3, 2026 from Udaipur and October 4, 2026 from Surat.
Q2. What are the train numbers for the Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Express?
A2. The train numbers are 26903 for Surat to Udaipur City and 26904 for Udaipur City to Surat.
Q3. What are the timings for Train No. 26903?
A3. Train No. 26903 departs from Surat at 6:10 AM and arrives at Udaipur City at 1:40 PM.
Q4. What are the stoppages for the Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Express?
A4. The train stops at Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Maninagar, Asarva (Ahmedabad), Himmatnagar, Shamlaji Road, Dungarpur and Zawar.
Q5. How many days a week will the Surat Udaipur Vande Bharat Express operate?
A5. The train will operate 6 days a week, with service every day except Tuesday.