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Overview
The holy city of Katra, where the Vaishno Devi Bhavan can be found, is about 634 kilometres away from Delhi. This distance can take around 10 to 11 hours to cover by driving when you have your own or hired vehicle. If you would be relying on public transportation, journey duration can take as long as 15 hours. Train is usually preferred by pilgrims as Katra has its own railway station, inaugurated during the year 2014, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station. Instead of reaching Jammu Tawi first, which most pilgrims did before the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station was created, the journey has become easier and more direct. From Delhi, there are a number of direct trains running to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station as well so there is no need for changing of trains.
Direct Trains from Delhi to Katra
There are 15 direct trains from Delhi to Katra. Most of the trains depart from the New Delhi Railway Station, although a few also originate from the Old Delhi Junction Railway Station and the Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station. Below, we would be listing all these trains, arranged accordingly, with those having the shortest journey durations at the top and those with the longest journey durations at the bottom. Their halts or stopovers along the way would also be included.
Direct Trains from Delhi to Katra Time Table
| Train Name & Number | Departure Time (Station) | Arrival Time | Journey Duration (Halts) | Schedule |
| Shri Shakti AC Express Train No. 22461 | 17:30 (New Delhi) | 5:10 | 11 Hours and 40 Minutes (6) | Daily |
| Uttar Sampark Kranti Express Train No. 12445 | 20:50 (New Delhi) | 8:40 | 11 Hours and 50 Minutes (9) | Daily |
| Swaraj Express Train No. 12471 | 4:50 (New Delhi) | 17:10 | 12 Hours and 20 Minutes (8) | Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday |
| Sarvodaya Express Train No. 12473 | 4:50 (New Delhi) | 17:10 | 12 Hours and 20 Minutes (8) | Sunday |
| Jamnagar Katra Sindhu SF Express Train No. 12477 | 4:50 (New Delhi) | 17:10 | 12 Hours and 20 Minutes (8) | Wednesday |
| Sarvodaya Express Train No. 12475 | 4:50 (New Delhi) | 17:10 | 12 Hours and 20 Minutes (8) | Thursday |
| Yesvantpur SVDK Suvidha Express Train No. 82651 | 7:50 (New Delhi) | 20:25 | 12 Hours and 35 Minutes (3) | Monday |
| Anand Vihar SVDK SF Special Train No. 04401 | 22:20 (Anand Vihar) | 13:00 | 14 Hours and 40 Minutes (11) | Monday and Friday |
| Jammu Mail Train No. 14033 | 20:10 (Old Delhi Junction) | 11:05 | 14 Hours and 55 Minutes (30) | Daily |
| Himsagar Express Train No. 16317 | 00:10 (New Delhi) | 15:20 | 15 Hours and 10 Minutes (26) | Monday |
| Andaman Express Train No. 16031 | 00:10 (New Delhi) | 15:20 | 15 Hours and 10 Minutes (26) | Tuesday, Friday and Saturday |
| Tirunelveli SVDK Express Train No. 16787 | 00:10 (New Delhi) | 15:20 | 15 Hours and 10 Minutes (25) | Monday and Thursday |
| Jabalpur Katra Express Train No. 11449 | 00:10 (New Delhi) | 15:20 | 15 Hours and 10 Minutes (17) | Wednesday |
| Navyug Express Train No. 16687 | 00:10 (New Delhi) | 15:20 | 15 Hours and 10 Minutes (24) | Thursday |
| Kota Katra Weekly Express Train No. 19803 | 00:10 (New Delhi) | 15:20 | 15 Hours and 10 Minutes (19) | Sunday |
These are all the trains running between Delhi and Katra. As you can see, you have many options but to help you pick which train is most suitable for you, let us further discuss your best choices.
Which Trains Should You Choose and Avoid?
Train With Least Number of Halts
The trains with the least number of halts is the Yesvantpur SVDK Suvidha Express Train No. 82651. It departs from the New Delhi Railway Station at 7:50 and arrives in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station at around 20:25. Although it just has 3 halts, journey duration is still around 12 hours and 35 minutes. Its average delay is also quite bad at about 4 hours, more or less. Further, this train only has a schedule during Mondays. So even if this train has the least number of halts, it's not a good idea to pick this one.
Yesvantpur SVDK Suvidha Express Train No. 82651
Train With Shortest Journey Duration
The Shri Shakti AC Express Train No. 22461 is a better option. It departs from the New Delhi Railway Station at around 17:30 and arrives in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station at around 5:10. This train has the shortest journey duration at 11 hours and 40 minutes. It also has just 6 halts along the way so the stopovers are very minimal. It has daily schedules too, unlike other trains which only have schedules once a week or so. Its average delay is just 24 minutes so you can still reach Katra within 12 hours or so despite the delay.
Shri Shakti AC Express Train No. 22461
Another Good Option
The Uttar Sampark Kranti Express Train No. 12445 is also a good option. It departs from the New Delhi Railway Station as well, at around 20:50 and arrives in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station at about 8:40. Its journey duration is just 11 hours and 50 minutes, with just 9 halts in between. It also has daily schedules and its average delay is about an hour or less. This delay is still acceptable as other trains have delays of hours like the first mentioned train.
Uttar Sampark Kranti Express Train No. 12445
Better to Avoid
It's best to avoid these trains: the Jamnagar Katra Sindhu SF Express Train No. 12477, the Andaman Express Train No. 16031 and the Jabalpur Katra Express Train No. 11449. These trains have longer journey durations and in addition, they have average delays of more than 3 to 4 hours. They have stopovers along the way too which contributes to the delays they encounter.
Jamnagar Katra Sindhu SF Express Train No. 12477
Conclusion
These are all your train options between Delhi and Katra. While there are plenty of trains to choose from, the best ones are highlighted above. The trains that you should avoid are also given. It's still up to you though, the schedules are listed above anyway. These are all direct trains so there's no need for changing of trains or stations at all. Once you reach the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station, you can easily ride an auto rickshaw that would take you to the entrance of the Vaishno Devi Bhavan pilgrimage route. I hope this helps you!
