Deccan Queen Beats Vande Bharat on Pune-Mumbai Route: Faster Journey at 85% Lower Fare
Reported by Amit Singh
Pune, 7th August 2025: On the Pune-Mumbai rail corridor, passengers are presented with two prominent options: the newly introduced Vande Bharat Express (22226) and the legacy Deccan Queen (12124). While both trains offer similar travel durations, fare structures show a significant difference, with Vande Bharat’s Chair Car priced at ₹720 compared to Deccan Queen’s ₹390 Chair Car fare.
Vande Bharat Express covers the Pune-CSMT distance in 3 hours 15 minutes. Deccan Queen, with a daily service record dating back to 1930, completes the same journey in 3 hours 10 minutes. The marginal time difference of 5 minutes places both trains in close competition in terms of travel duration.
However, fare comparison reveals a sharp contrast. The Vande Bharat Chair Car ticket costs ₹720, nearly 85% higher than Deccan Queen’s Chair Car fare of ₹390. Additionally, Deccan Queen offers a Second Sitting (2S) option at ₹110, catering to budget-conscious travelers, a category absent in Vande Bharat’s fare structure.
Deccan Queen is historically known as the first superfast train on the Pune-Mumbai route. Introduced by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) in 1930, it was among the earliest trains in India to feature a dining car. Over its 90-year legacy, the train has established itself as a reliable option for daily commuters, business travelers, and tourists.
Vande Bharat’s Chair Car fare of ₹720 is inclusive of catering charges, which typically add ₹180-₹200 depending on the menu offered. This catering inclusion is part of the overall fare structure and is not optional. Additionally, the fare covers onboard amenities such as Wi-Fi access, mobile charging points at each seat, bio-vacuum toilets, automatic doors, and CCTV surveillance systems. Though capable of higher speeds, on the Pune-Mumbai section, the operational time advantage over Deccan Queen remains minimal due to route constraints.
Both trains operate daily, serving as key passenger services on the Pune-Mumbai sector, offering travelers a choice between legacy affordability and modernized travel experiences.
