- Route
- Multiple daytime intercity routes across India
- Speed
- Up to 150 km/h
- Train type
- Premium Daytime Intercity Express
- Introduced
- 1988
Shatabdi Express is another iconic premium train category of Indian Railways.
The first Shatabdi service was introduced in 1988 between New Delhi and Jhansi. The Shatabdi concept was created to provide fast daytime connections between major cities, with passengers normally completing their journeys within the same day.
Unlike Rajdhani trains, which primarily serve longer overnight routes, Shatabdi services generally use seating accommodation rather than sleeper berths.
Traditional Shatabdi services offer AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car accommodation and are known for limited stops and relatively high average speeds.
Indian Railways training material lists a maximum permissible speed of 150 km/h for Shatabdi Express, although only suitable sections can support that speed.
The New Delhi–Bhopal Shatabdi became particularly famous for high-speed operation, historically running at up to 150 km/h on the New Delhi–Agra section.
Before Gatimaan and Vande Bharat, Shatabdi trains represented some of the fastest passenger services available in India.
They remain historically important because they demonstrated the demand for premium, fast intercity rail services and helped prepare the way for newer high-performance trains.