Train Connectivity to Visakhapatnam: Major Routes and Timetables

Visakhapatnam, the “City of Destiny” and “Jewel of the East Coast,” is a captivating blend of beautiful beaches, serene hills, and a vibrant industrial spirit. Whether you’re drawn by its natural beauty, like the Araku Valley and Borra Caves, or its bustling port, reaching Vizag by train is a popular and convenient option for many. Indian Railways offers extensive connectivity to this major Andhra Pradesh city.

Let’s navigate the tracks and explore how you can best reach Visakhapatnam by train.

Visakhapatnam’s Railway Hubs: Where You’ll Arrive

• Visakhapatnam Junction (VSKP): This is the main and most important railway station serving the city. It’s a major halt on the Howrah-Chennai mainline and one of the busiest stations in the East Coast Railway zone. VSKP is well-equipped with passenger amenities and is the primary arrival/departure point for most trains.
  
• Duvvada (DVD): Located on the southern outskirts of Visakhapatnam (about 17-20 km from VSKP), Duvvada serves as an important station for the industrial belt (including the Vizag Steel Plant) and suburban areas. Some long-distance trains, particularly those on the Howrah-Chennai route that might bypass the main city core or those terminating/originating to serve this part of the city, halt at Duvvada. It helps decongest Visakhapatnam Junction.

Understanding Train Timetables: A Crucial Note for Travelers

VERY IMPORTANT: The train numbers, names, and timings mentioned below are for illustrative and general guidance purposes only. Indian Railways schedules are dynamic and can change due to operational reasons, seasonal adjustments, or new timetable introductions.

ALWAYS verify the latest train schedules, timings, and platform information from official sources before planning your trip and on your day of travel.

• Official IRCTC Website: www.irctc.co.in
• National Train Enquiry System (NTES): enquiry.indianrail.gov.in or the NTES app.
• Railway Station Enquiry Counters.

Major Train Routes to Visakhapatnam (with selected train examples)

Visakhapatnam enjoys excellent connectivity from all corners of India. Here are some key routes:

1. From South India:

• Chennai (MAS/PER) to Visakhapatnam (VSKP/DVD):
  
  • Approx. Journey Duration: 12 to 15 hours.
    
  • Popular Trains (Examples):
    
    • 12840 MAS HWH SF MAIL: Departs MGR Chennai Central (MAS) around 7:00 PM – 7:20 PM, arrives VSKP around 7:50 AM – 8:10 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 12842 COROMANDEL EXP: Departs MAS around 7:00 AM, arrives VSKP around 7:50 PM. (Daily)
    • 13352 ALLP DHN EXPRES: Departs MAS around 10:10 PM, arrives VSKP around 1:30 PM next day. (Daily, also connects from Kerala)
    • 22641 SHALIMAR EXP: Departs Perambur (PER) around 9:15 AM, arrives VSKP around 9:45 PM. (Bi-weekly)
      
      
• Bengaluru (SBC/SMVB/YPR) to Visakhapatnam (VSKP):
  
  • Approx. Journey Duration: 17 to 22 hours.
    
  • Popular Trains (Examples):
    
    • 18464 PRASHANTHI EXP: Departs KSR Bengaluru (SBC) around 1:40 PM, arrives VSKP around 11:10 AM – 11:30 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 12864 SMVB HOWRAH EXP: Departs SMVT Bengaluru (SMVB) around 10:35 AM, arrives VSKP around 4:35 AM – 4:55 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 22884 GARIBRATH EXP: Departs Yesvantpur (YPR) around 10:40 PM, arrives VSKP around 8:00 PM – 8:25 PM next day. (Weekly – Saturdays)
    • 12253 ANGA EXP: Departs SMVB around 1:50 PM (check days), arrives VSKP around 8:25 AM next day. (Weekly)
      
      
• Hyderabad/Secunderabad (SC/KCG/LPI) to Visakhapatnam (VSKP):
  
  • Approx. Journey Duration: 8.5 to 14 hours.
    
  • Popular Trains (Examples):
    
    • 20834 VANDE BHARAT EX: Departs Secunderabad (SC) around 3:00 PM, arrives VSKP around 11:30 PM – 11:35 PM. (6 days a week, not on Sundays)
    • 20707 VSKP VANDEBHARAT: Departs SC around 5:05 AM, arrives VSKP around 1:50 PM. (6 days a week, not on Tuesdays)
    • 12728 GODAVARI SF EXP: Departs Hyderabad Decan (HYB) or SC around 5:30 PM, arrives VSKP around 5:55 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 12704 FALAKNUMA SF EX: Departs SC around 3:55 PM, arrives VSKP around 3:20 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 12740 GARIBRATH EXP: Departs SC around 8:30 PM, arrives VSKP around 7:50 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 17016 VISAKHA EXP: Departs SC around 4:50 PM, arrives VSKP around 7:10 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 22204 VSKP DURONTO: Departs SC around 8:15 PM, arrives VSKP around 6:30 AM. (Tri-weekly)

2. From East India:

• Kolkata (Howrah HWH / Shalimar SHM / Santragachi SRC) to Visakhapatnam (VSKP/DVD):
  
  • Approx. Journey Duration: 12 to 17 hours.
    
  • Popular Trains (Examples):
    
    • 12841 COROMANDAL EXP: Departs Shalimar (SHM) around 3:15 PM – 3:20 PM, arrives VSKP around 4:20 AM – 4:45 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 12703 FALAKNUMA EXP: Departs Howrah (HWH) around 8:25 AM – 8:35 AM, arrives VSKP around 10:10 PM – 10:35 PM. (Daily)
    • 12863 HWH SMVB EXP: Departs HWH around 10:45 PM – 10:50 PM, arrives VSKP around 12:10 PM next day. (Daily)
    • 12839 CHENNAI MAIL: Departs HWH around 11:45 PM – 11:55 PM, arrives VSKP around 1:50 PM – 2:10 PM next day. (Daily)
    • 18045 EAST COAST EXP: Departs SHM around 11:15 AM – 11:25 AM, arrives Duvvada (DVD) around 4:20 AM next day. (Daily)
      
      
• Bhubaneswar (BBS) to Visakhapatnam (VSKP): (Many trains from Kolkata pass through BBS)
  
  • Approx. Journey Duration: 6 to 8 hours.
    
  • Popular Trains (Examples):
    
    • 18463 PRASHANTHI EXP: Departs BBS around 5:40 AM, arrives VSKP around 1:00 PM. (Daily)
    • 20819 PURI OKHA SF: Departs BBS around 10:20 AM (check days), arrives VSKP around 4:45 PM. (Weekly)
    • 12830 BBS MAS SF EXP: Departs BBS around 12:10 PM, arrives VSKP around 6:25 PM. (Weekly)

3. From North India:

• New Delhi (NDLS/NZM) to Visakhapatnam (VSKP):
  
  • Approx. Journey Duration: 32 to 38 hours.
    
  • Popular Trains (Examples):
    
    • 20806 AP EXPRESS (ANDHRA PRADESH EXP): Departs New Delhi (NDLS) around 8:00 PM, arrives VSKP around 4:20 AM (day after next). (Daily)
    • 12808 SAMTA EXPRESS: Departs Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) around 7:00 AM, arrives VSKP around 4:30 PM next day. (5 days a week)
    • 20808 HIRAKUND EXP (via Sambalpur): Departs NDLS around 8:15 AM (check days), arrives VSKP around 9:40 PM – 9:50 PM next day. (Tri-weekly)

4. From West India:

• Mumbai (LTT/CSMT) to Visakhapatnam (VSKP):
  
  • Approx. Journey Duration: 28 to 30 hours.
    
  • Popular Trains (Examples):
    
    • 18520 LTT VSKP EXPRESS: Departs Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) around 6:55 AM, arrives VSKP around 10:50 AM next day. (Daily)
    • 11019 KONARK EXPRESS: Departs Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) around 2:00 PM, arrives VSKP around 3:40 PM next day. (Daily)
    • 22848 LTT VSKP EXPRESS (via Raipur): Departs LTT around 12:15 AM (midnight), arrives VSKP around 5:20 AM next day. (Weekly – Tuesdays)

5. Important Regional/Scenic Routes:

• Visakhapatnam (VSKP) to Araku (ARK) – The Vistadome Experience:
  
  • This route is famous for its scenic beauty, passing through the Eastern Ghats, tunnels, and valleys. The Vistadome coach offers panoramic views.
  • Train: 08551 VSKP KRDL PGRP (Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Passenger Special) (old number often cited as 58501)
  • Departure (VSKP): Around 6:45 AM – 7:05 AM.
  • Arrival (Araku – ARK): Around 10:50 AM – 11:00 AM.
  • Frequency: Daily.
  • Note: The Vistadome coach (EV class) is extremely popular and needs to be booked well in advance. The return journey from Araku might have different train options or may require a regular coach.
    
• Vijayawada (BZA) to Visakhapatnam (VSKP): (Key intra-state route)
  • Approx. Journey Duration: 4.5 to 8 hours.
  • Popular Trains (Examples):
    • 20834 VANDE BHARAT EX: Departs BZA around 6:55 PM, arrives VSKP around 11:35 PM. (6 days a week)
    • 12718 RATNACHAL SF EX: Departs BZA around 6:00 AM – 06:15AM, arrives VSKP around 12:15 PM. (Daily)
    • 12806 JANMABHOOMI SF: Departs BZA around 1:20 PM, arrives VSKP around 7:45 PM. (Daily)
    • 17239 SIMHADRI EXP: Departs Guntur (originates) but passes BZA around 8:45 AM, arrives VSKP around 4:40 PM. (Daily)
    • Numerous other daily expresses like Godavari Express, Falaknuma Express, AP Express, etc., connect these cities.

Booking Your Train Tickets to Visakhapatnam

• Book in Advance: Vizag is a popular destination. To get confirmed seats, especially in preferred classes and during peak seasons or festivals, book your tickets as soon as the reservation period opens (usually 120 days in advance).
• Online Booking: The IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) and mobile app (IRCTC Rail Connect) are the official and most reliable platforms. Many authorized online travel agencies (OTAs) also offer booking services.
• Tatkal Scheme: For urgent travel, the Tatkal quota opens one day before the train’s departure from its originating station. Seats are limited and get booked very quickly.
• Railway Counters: Tickets can also be booked at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations.

Tips for a Smooth Journey & Station Info

• Check PNR Status & Live Train Status: After booking, keep checking your PNR status for confirmation. On the day of travel, track the live running status of your train using NTES.
  
• Visakhapatnam Junction (VSKP) Facilities:
  • Multiple platforms with digital display boards.
  • Waiting rooms (AC and Non-AC), retiring rooms (book in advance).
  • Food courts, restaurants, and refreshment stalls (e.g., Annapurna, IRCTC Food Plaza).
  • ATMs, Bookstalls, Pharmacy.
  • Escalators and lifts.
  • Prepaid taxi and auto-rickshaw services.
  • The station has received accolades for cleanliness.
    
• Duvvada (DVD) Station: While smaller than VSKP, it has essential facilities, including booking counters, waiting areas, and food stalls. It serves the industrial and suburban belt effectively.

Reaching Visakhapatnam by train is a convenient and often picturesque way to explore this beautiful coastal city. With its excellent rail connectivity, you can easily find a train that suits your schedule and budget. Remember to book in advance, verify your train details from official sources, and get ready to enjoy the “City of Destiny”!