Traveling between Howrah and North Bengal is now faster and more comfortable with the Vande Bharat Express Howrah to New Jalpaiguri.
This semi-high-speed train connects Kolkata with Siliguri and the gateway to Darjeeling, Sikkim, and the Northeast. It is ideal for tourists, business travelers, and families who want a same-day arrival without overnight travel.
If you prefer speed, clean coaches, and included meals — this train is one of the best options on this route.
Overview of the Route
- From: Howrah Junction
- To: New Jalpaiguri Junction
- Distance: Approx. 564 km
- Average Journey Duration: Around 7 hours 30 minutes
- Train Number: 22301 / 22302
This route is extremely popular because New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the main rail gateway to Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kalimpong, and Bhutan border regions.
Earlier, passengers depended on overnight trains. Now, you can leave in the morning and reach by afternoon.
Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Timings (Both Directions)
The train operates as a day journey service, allowing comfortable travel in one working day.
It maintains fixed timings as notified by Indian Railways. However, passengers must always reconfirm live timings on IRCTC before departure.
Train Timings Table
| Direction | Train No. | Departure Station & Time | Arrival Station & Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howrah → New Jalpaiguri | 22301 | Howrah Jn – 05:55 AM | New Jalpaiguri – 01:25 PM |
| New Jalpaiguri → Howrah | 22302 | New Jalpaiguri – 03:05 PM | Howrah Jn – 10:35 PM |
Running Days: 6 days a week (Not running on Wednesday)
Vande Bharat Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Detailed Time Table
The train has limited halts to maintain speed and efficiency. It stops only at key commercial and junction stations.
Major Stoppage Schedule (22301 – Howrah to NJP)
| Stop No. | Station Name | Arrival Time | Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Howrah Jn | — | 05:55 AM |
| 2 | Bolpur Shantiniketan | 07:20 AM | 07:22 AM |
| 3 | Malda Town | 10:32 AM | 10:35 AM |
| 4 | Barsoi Jn | 11:50 AM | 11:52 AM |
| 5 | New Jalpaiguri | 01:25 PM | — |
Summary
- Departure Station: Howrah Junction
- Arrival Station: New Jalpaiguri Junction
- Approximate Journey Duration: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Ideal Travel Option: Morning departure with afternoon arrival
Vande Bharat Express Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Ticket Price
Vande Bharat is a premium day travel service. Fare includes catering and reserved seating.
Fare (One-Way) – As per IRCTC
| Class | Quota Type | Fare (One-Way) |
|---|---|---|
| AC Chair Car (CC) | General | ₹1,585 |
| AC Chair Car (CC) | Tatkal | ₹1,935 |
| Executive Chair Car (EC) | General | ₹2,845 |
| Executive Chair Car (EC) | Tatkal | ₹3,350 |
Important Notes
- Fare may vary depending on dynamic pricing.
- Tatkal opens one day before journey (10 AM for AC classes).
- Catering charges are included in the ticket.
What Is Included in the Ticket?
Your ticket fare covers:
- Onboard vegetarian/non-vegetarian meals (as per time of travel)
- Pushback reclining airline-style seats
- Rotating seats (in Executive Class)
- Bio-vacuum toilets
- Fully air-conditioned coaches
- Charging sockets and reading lights
It offers an airline-like experience on Indian Railways.
Stations & Major Stoppages Explained
Bolpur Shantiniketan – Access point for Shantiniketan tourism and Visva-Bharati University.
Malda Town – Important junction serving North Bengal and Bihar connectivity.
Barsoi Junction – Strategic rail junction in Bihar connecting northeastern routes.
Limited halts ensure faster travel compared to traditional trains.
How to Book Tickets
Online Booking via IRCTC
- Visit irctc.co.in
- Login or register
- Enter “HWH” to “NJP”
- Select travel date
- Choose 22301 or 22302
- Select class (CC or EC)
- Enter passenger details
- Make payment
- Download e-ticket
Tatkal Booking Option
Tatkal opens one day before travel at 10 AM for AC classes.
Seats sell out within minutes during tourist season. Be logged in 5–10 minutes early.
Assisted Booking Support
You can book via:
- Authorized railway ticket agents
- Railway reservation counters
Seat Availability & Booking Strategy
- Book 7–10 days in advance for weekends.
- October to March sees heavy tourist demand.
- Tatkal works better on mid-week travel.
- Executive Class usually has better last-minute availability.
For confirmed travel during peak season, avoid last-day booking.
Why Choose Vande Bharat on This Route?
✔ Fastest day train between Kolkata and NJP
✔ Comfortable premium seating
✔ Limited stops
✔ Same-day arrival in North Bengal
✔ Ideal for tourists heading to Darjeeling or Sikkim
It balances speed, comfort, and reliability.
Travel Tips for Howrah to NJP Journey
- Reach station at least 20–30 minutes early.
- Carry a light jacket (AC coaches can feel cold).
- Keep ID proof handy during ticket checking.
- Download offline maps for Siliguri/Darjeeling region.
- Confirm cab bookings in advance if traveling further uphill.
FAQs – Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat
The Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 22301) departs Howrah Junction at ~05:55 AM and arrives at New Jalpaiguri around 01:30 PM, covering about 561 km in ~7 hrs 35 min with limited halts.
The Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express operates six days a week (except Wednesdays) as per the verified Indian Railways timetable for this premium service.
This train offers fully air-conditioned seating in AC Chair Car (CC) and AC Executive Chair Car (EC) with airline-style rotatable seats and large windows per Indian Railways Vande Bharat standards.
Approximate one-way fares are ₹1,585 for AC Chair Car (CC) and ₹2,845 for Executive Chair Car (EC) from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri under the official Indian Railways fare structure.
The Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express completes the roughly 561 km route in about 7 hrs 30–7 hrs 35 min, making it a fast daytime connection between the two cities.
Yes, the Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express provides onboard catering included in the ticket fare with meals and beverages available as per Indian Railways premium service norms.
Indian Railways offers standard booking quotas on the Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, including General, Tatkal, Ladies and other applicable quotas through IRCTC as per official rules.
Key scheduled halts include Howrah Junction, Bolpur Shantiniketan, Malda Town, Barsoi Junction and New Jalpaiguri Junction per the confirmed Indian Railways route.
The Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express runs as Train No. 22301 in the northbound direction and as Train No. 22302 on the return leg from New Jalpaiguri to Howrah.
Indian Railways equips the Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express with Wi-Fi, infotainment screens, electric outlets, reading lights and the Kavach safety system for enhanced onboard comfort and safety.
Final Verdict – Should You Book It?
If you want a fast, clean, and stress-free journey from Kolkata to North Bengal, this is one of the best rail options available.
Book early during tourist season.
Check live seat availability on IRCTC before planning.
Confirm final fare and running status before travel.
For comfort and time efficiency — the Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express is strongly recommended.
I’m Rohit Kumar Sonkar, a senior travel writer and Indian Railways expert with 6+ years of hands-on experience in train route analysis, ticket fares, schedules, and IRCTC booking systems. I specialize in premium and scenic rail services such as the Vande Bharat Express, Vistadome Coach, and Tejas Express, and I focus on creating accurate, traveler-friendly content that helps people plan smooth and hassle-free train journeys across India.