Vande Bharat Express 

Optional Catering Service Vande Bharat Express Price List

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Optional Catering Service Vande Bharat Express Price List

Catering Services on NDLS-SVDK Vande Bharat Express

Management of On-Board Catering Services on NDLS-SVDK Vande Bharat Express

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No. 2018/Catering/600/14

New Delhi, Dated: 11.10.2025

The Principal Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways,

The Chairman and Managing Director,
IRCTC, Barakhambha Road, New Delhi.

CMD/CRIS
Chanakya Puri, New Delhi.

(Commercial Circular No. 48 of 2025)

Sub: Management of On-Board Catering Services on NDLS-SVDK Vande Bharat Express.

(i) The sector-wise catering services and tariff of Vande Bharat Express between NDLS-SVDK shall be as under:-

From NDLS to SVDK (Train No. 22439)
Between Stations Type of Service Tariff in Rs.
EC CC
NDLS-SVDK (06:00 Hrs to 14:00 Hrs) Breakfast with Morning Tea and Lunch 399 344
NDLS-UMB (06:00 Hrs to 08:10 Hrs) Breakfast with Morning Tea 155 122
NDLS-LDH (06:00 Hrs to 09:19 Hrs) Breakfast with MomingTea 155 122
NDLS-JAT (06:00 Hrs to 12:38 Hrs) Breakfast with MomingTea 155 122
UMB-LDH (08:12 Hrs to 09:19 Hrs) Breakfast with MomingTea 155 122
UMB-JAT (08:12 Hrs to 12:38 Hrs) Breakfast with MomingTea 155 122
UMB-SVDK (08:12 Hrs to 14:00 Hrs) Breakfast with Morning Tea & Lunch 399 344
LDH-JAT (09:21 Hrs to 12:38 Hrs) Breakfast with MomingTea 155 122
LDH-SVDK (09:21 Hrs to 14:00 Hrs) Breakfast with MomingTea & Lunch 399 344
JAT-SVDK (12:40 Hrs to 14:00 Hrs) Lunch 244 222
From SVDK to NDLS (Train No. 22440)
Between Stations Type of Service Tariff in Rs.
EC CC
SVDK-NDLS( 15:00 Hrs to 23:00 Hrs) Evening Tea with Snacks and Dinner 349 288
SVDK-1AT(15:00 Hrs to 16:13 Hrs) Evening Tea with Snacks 105 66
SVDK-LDH (15:00 Hrs to 19:32 Hrs) Evening Tea with Snacks 105 66
SVDK-UMB (15:00 Hrs to 20:48 Hrs) Evening Tea with Snacks & Dinner 349 288
JAT-LDH (16:15 Hrs to 19:32 Hrs) Evening Tea with Snacks 105 66
JAT-UMB (16:15 Hrs to 20:48 Hrs) Evening Tea with Snacks & Dinner 349 288
JAT-NDLS (16:15 Hrs to 23:00 Hrs Evening Tea with Snacks & Dinner 349 288
LDH-UMB (19:34 Hrs to 20:48 Hrs) Dinner 244 222
LDH-NDLS (19:34 Hrs to 23:00 Hrs) Dinner 244 222
UMB-NDLS (20:50 Hrs to 23:00 Hrs) Dinner 244 222

(ii) The scheme of ‘Optional Catering Service’ as advised vide Board’s letter no. 2015/TG-III/631/4 dated 14/08/2019 shall also be applicable for NDLS-SVDK Vande Bharat Express Train.

(iv) All other instructions of Commercial Circular No. 5 of 2025 will remain unchanged.

This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

(Philip Varghes)
Director (Tourism & Catering)
Railway Board

Source: indianrailways.gov.in

Here’s the Vande Bharat Express Optional Catering Service Price List (2025 update), including catering inclusion norms and passenger experience feedback:

✅ 1. Catering Inclusion & Optional Meals

  • On Vande Bharat trains (Train 18 & derivatives), catering is not optional by default — it is included in the ticket fare unless the passenger opts out during booking.
    (Standard fare includes catering charges integrated into ticket price.) turn0search6turn0search3
  • Exception: passengers traveling only on the last leg of the train’s route (e.g., Allahabad–Varanasi) can opt out at booking; otherwise, meal cannot be excluded. turn0search6turn0search3

💰 2. Catering Pricing for Inclusive Meals

As per Railway Board’s Catering Circular No. 48 of 2025 for NDLS–SVDK Vande Bharat (serving as a reference model):

Class Meal Type Rate (₹, incl. GST)
Executive CC (EC) Breakfast + Morning Tea + Lunch ₹399
Chair Car (CC) Breakfast + Morning Tea + Lunch ₹344
Both classes Lunch only (JAT–SVDK segment) EC: ₹244, CC: ₹222
Evening Tea + snacks & Dinner (Southbound): EC ₹349, CC ₹288
Tea/snacks only segments: EC ₹105, CC ₹66
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This segmented pricing allows meal component charges to be matched to journey duration and time specifics.

🍽️ 3. Standalone Meal Portion Pricing

When opting for only a portion of the catering facility, listed prices are:

  • Tea/Coffee/Beverages: ₹15 (both EC & CC)
  • Breakfast + Morning Tea: EC ₹155, CC ₹122
  • Lunch/Dinner: EC ₹244, CC ₹222
  • Evening Tea with Snacks: EC ₹105, CC ₹66
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This allows flexibility for partial meal inclusion if full service is not needed.

🛒 4. Onboard Cooked Meals for Non-optee Passengers

  • From early February 2025, any passenger who opted out at booking may still purchase cooked meals onboard, at the same standard rates.
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🧾 5. Passenger Observations & Reddit Feedback

  • Tea/snacks basic portions: Approx ₹90–101 total including ₹50 service charge as reported in recent Reddit threads.
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  • Sample meal review (August 2025): Veg meal priced at ₹220; included paneer curry, dal, chapatis, rice, curd — felt overpriced relative to quantity, though taste was decent.

“220 for that … should be not more than 150‑180.”
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  • Frequent complaints about over‑charging or service fees (bottled water ₹15 vs ₹20 charged, etc.).

“charged catering charges when I booked with no food” – saw ₹19+GST billed—possibly for water.
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🧭 6. Summary Table

Option Chair Car (CC) Price Executive Class (EC) Price
Full Meal (Breakfast+Lunch) ₹344 ₹399
Lunch Only ₹222 ₹244
Tea/Snacks Only (evening/tea) ₹66 ₹105
Standalone Tea/Coffee ₹15 ₹15

✅ Recommendations

  • Decide at booking whether to include meals — opting out reduces ticket price, but onboard cooked meals can be purchased later.
  • Track your fare breakdown, especially the “catering charges” line to see included/non‑included status.
  • Keep receipts and check bills; some passengers report over‑charging or opaque service fees.

Would you like help checking exact catering charges for a specific Vande Bharat train route or comparing meal options across Chair Car vs Executive Class?

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