Rajdhani express are premium category trains by the Indian Railways that redefines luxury travelling in India. It is a fully air-conditioned train which connects country capital (Delhi) with state capitals. That is why they are called 'Rajdhani' which translates to 'Capital' in English. These train runs at very high speed and therefore it usually takes least time to reach destination compared to other trains on the same route. Mumbai rajdhani is the fastest rajdhani train which attains a maximum speed of 140 kmph on some stretch. Rajdhani Express offers catering facilities inside the train the fare of which is included in ticket fare. Rajdhani trains have 3 classes - First AC (1A), AC II-tier (2A) and AC III-tier (3A) only and they are coupled with LHB coaches that have higher safety features. The ticket fare for Rajdhani is maximum amongst all trains on the same route and has dynamic fare (Flexi Fare) system. Waitlisted passengers are strictly not allowed inside this train. Rajdhani train coaches are usually painted in red with a grey colored strip outside. 1 rajdhani train runs from Kolkata to Patna - RAJDHANI EXPRES (12305).
Kolkata to Patna RAJDHANI EXPRES (12305) departs from Howrah Jn station (HWH) at and arrives Patna Jn station (PNBE) at . Kolkata to Patna rajdhani fare is Rs.2595 in First AC, Rs.1610 in Second AC and Rs.1205 in Third AC for this train which includes meal charges also. Active on IRCTC
Duronto express is a newer premium class of train which runs as fast as Rajdhanis. Duronto word comes from restless in Bengali as these trains had no intermediate commercial stops when they started. But since Indian Railways incurred losses for these trains, some technical stops were converted to commercial stops. On some routes (such as Delhi-Kolkata) they take lesser time than corresponding Rajdhani express. Unlike rajdhani some durontos also have non-air conditioned sleeper class. Thus, Duronto trains have classes First AC (1A), AC II-tier, AC III-tier and Sleeper. Bed-rolls in sleeper class of Mixed Duronto Express trains will be supplied to passengers on demand, on payment of stipulated charges. Duronto trains are distinguished by vibrant and colorful vinyl coating on the outer surface of the coaches. 2 duronto trains run from Kolkata to Patna - PNBE DURONTO EX (22213) and NDLS DURONTO EX (12273).
Kolkata to Patna PNBE DURONTO EX (22213) departs from Kolkata Shalimar station (SHM) at and arrives Patna Jn station (PNBE) at . Kolkata to Patna duronto fare is Rs.2410 in First AC, Rs.1445 in Second AC and Rs.1040 in Third AC for this train which includes meal charges also.
Kolkata to Patna NDLS DURONTO EX (12273) departs from Howrah Jn station (HWH) at and arrives Patna Jn station (PNBE) at . Kolkata to Patna duronto fare is Rs.2640 in First AC, Rs.1635 in Second AC, Rs.1230 in Third AC, Rs.965 in Third Economy and Rs.500 in Sleeper for this train which includes meal charges also.
Jan Shatabdi express as the name indicates is the shatabdi express for Jan (common mass). Basically these trains are an affordable version of Shatabdi trains in India. Therefore Jan Shatabdi trains have either seating arrangements as air-conditioned Chair Car (CC) or non air-conditioned Second Seating (2S) coaches. These are very pocket friendly compared to other trains on same route. These trains are for short distances and does not run overnight just like Shatabdi trains. It does not have onboard catering services which is there in Shatabdi trains. In general these trains are painted in white and blue combination with window panes painted either white or blue. 1 jan-shatabdi train runs from Kolkata to Patna - JANSHATABDI EXP (12023).
Kolkata to Patna JANSHATABDI EXP (12023) departs from Howrah Jn station (HWH) at and arrives Patna Saheb station (PNC) at . Kolkata to Patna jan-shatabdi fare is Rs.775 in Chair Car and Rs.225 in Second Seater for this train.
The concept of Garib Rath started with the vision to provide air conditioned berths at a comparatively low price for the people who could not afford to travel in AC coaches. Garib-rath phrase translates to poor man's chariot in English. The fare in this train is almost two-thirds of regular third ac fare. Usually Garib Rath have Third AC (3A) class only excepting some 1-2 trains which also have Chair Car (CC) class. The compartments of these train coaches have 9 berths making an extra space for side middle berth which is not there in any other train in India. In case passengers want to have bedrolls they need to pay separately for it. Some garib-raths run as fast as rajdhani, but they have lesser priority for track clearance compared to them. These trains are painted green with a yellow colored strip along the window panes. 1 garib-rath train runs from Kolkata to Patna - PNBE GARIB RATH (12359).
Kolkata to Patna PNBE GARIB RATH (12359) departs from Kolkata Chitpur station (KOAA) at and arrives Patna Saheb station (PNC) at . This train has 10 stoppages. Kolkata to Patna garib-rath fare is Rs.640 in Third AC for this train.