- Route
- New Delhi to major cities across India
- Speed
- Up to 130 km/h
- Train type
- Premium Fully Air-Conditioned Long-Distance Express
- Introduced
- 1969
Rajdhani Express is one of the most famous premium train categories operated by Indian Railways.
The first Rajdhani Express was introduced in 1969 between New Delhi and Howrah, marking a major step forward in the speed and quality of long-distance passenger travel in India.
The word Rajdhani means “capital,” reflecting the original concept of connecting India's national capital, New Delhi, with important state capitals and major metropolitan cities.
Over time, multiple Rajdhani services were introduced connecting Delhi with cities including Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai and several other important destinations.
Rajdhani services are fully air-conditioned and traditionally offer First AC, AC Two-Tier and AC Three-Tier accommodation depending on the particular service.
Indian Railways training documentation lists 130 km/h as the maximum permissible speed for Rajdhani Express trains, though the actual operating speed varies according to the permissible speed of each railway section.
Rajdhani trains receive high operational priority and historically offered significantly shorter journey times than many conventional long-distance express trains.
Their introduction was particularly significant because they established the idea of premium, faster intercity rail travel many decades before Gatimaan and Vande Bharat appeared.
Even today, Rajdhani Express remains one of the most recognisable brands in Indian long-distance railway travel.