The five-digit system
Indian Railways moved from four-digit to five-digit train numbers on 20 December 2010. The numbers are not random: the first digit tells you the kind of service, and the following digits often hint at the railway zone that runs the train.
What the first digit tells you
| First digit | Kind of service |
|---|---|
| 0 | Special trains, such as summer, holiday and exam specials |
| 1 or 2 | Long-distance trains, including Superfast and Express services |
| 3 | Kolkata suburban trains |
| 4 | Other suburban trains, such as Chennai and Delhi |
| 5 | Passenger trains with conventional coaches |
| 6 | MEMU services (electric multiple units) |
| 7 | DEMU services and railcars (diesel multiple units) |
| 8 | Suvidha Express trains |
| 9 | Mumbai suburban trains and Vande Metro |
For long-distance trains, numbers that start with 12 or 22 are Superfast services. Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, Garib Rath, Duronto and Sampark Kranti trains also carry numbers in the 12xxx and 22xxx range.
Two numbers for every train
Most trains have a pair of consecutive numbers, one for each direction. For example, 12301 runs from Howrah to New Delhi and 12302 runs back. When you search for a train, make sure you use the number for the direction you need.
Common train types
| Type | What it is |
|---|---|
| Rajdhani | Premium, fully air-conditioned overnight trains linking Delhi with state capitals and major cities, with limited stops |
| Shatabdi | Daytime intercity trains with chair cars, usually returning the same day |
| Vande Bharat | Modern semi-high-speed chair-car trains with CC and EC classes |
| Duronto | Long-distance trains with very few commercial stops |
| Garib Rath | Air-conditioned trains using the lower-fare 3E class |
| Humsafar | All-AC 3-tier long-distance trains |
| Superfast | Trains that run faster than regular Express services (the benchmark is an average of about 55 km/h) and charge a Superfast surcharge |
| Express / Mail | The backbone of long-distance travel, stopping at major stations |
| Passenger | Slow trains that stop at most stations, often unreserved |
| MEMU / DEMU | Short-distance multiple-unit trains used for local and regional travel |
Special trains
Trains numbered 0xxxx are specials. They run on limited dates and are often withdrawn once the festival or holiday rush ends, so a special train that appears in one month's timetable may be gone the next. Always check that a special train is still running before you plan around it.
Find a train
Search by train number or name to see where it runs, when it runs and what it costs.
Open toolFrequently asked questions
Why do some trains run under two numbers?
One number is for the up direction and the next for the down direction, so the same train has a different number on the return journey.
What is the difference between Express and Superfast?
A Superfast train maintains a higher average speed, usually with fewer stops, and charges a Superfast surcharge. Express trains are slower and stop more often.
Does the train number show the railway zone?
Often, yes. For many long-distance trains the second and third digits point to the zone or division that operates the train, though premium services follow their own pattern.
Official sources
Rules change, so confirm the current details with the official sources.
Related guides
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