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:
Contents
✅ 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.) turn0search6turn0search3 - 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. turn0search6turn0search3
💰 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.
turn0reddit11 - 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?