Besides being the administrative center of Chhattisgarh, Raipur serves as a major gateway for trade in central India. For business, tourism, education, or even spiritual travel, arriving in Raipur by train is affordable and dependable. Scenic views along the route make rail travel one of the most picturesque. Due to the extensive railway network, Raipur is well connected to many metro cities and even remote areas of India.
In this guide, we will discover important railway routes leading to Raipur, other train stations in the vicinity of the city, railway services along with their class division, ticketing strategies, and travel tips which will help you in your journey.
Bullet point summary of Raipur Junction Railway Station
- Name: Raipur Junction Railway Station
- Code: R
- Backround: Most important services of the city are provided at this railway station. It is one of the oldest and busiest stations in the region.
Key Features:
- Belt: South East Central Railway (SECR)
- Railway Platforms: 7
- Additional Services: Waiting rooms, escalators, retiring rooms, serving food courts, prepaid autos
- Relations: Interconnected to north, south, east, and west India
Considering the number of services, Raipur Junction is punctual along with maintaining most modern schedule. Divisional freight hubs also guarantee the station an extensive number of express, superfast, premium and local trains, leading to the station at all hours.
Prominent Train Routes of Raipur
To the east and west of Raipur, there are three railway lines that meet, making the city a crucial center for business and trade in the region.
1. Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai Route (East-West Axial Corridor)
This is one of the most active rail corridors in India as it provides access to major population centers of Maharashtra and West Bengal.
Important Trains
- Gitanjali Express (12859/12860): Howrah to Mumbai CSMT. Stops at Raipur
- Duronto Express (12261/12262): Fast premium service from Mumbai to Howrah, via Raipur
- Azad Hind Express (12129/12130): Good service Pune–Howrah; another fast reliable service via Raipur Best use this route for Kolkata, Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune, Bhilai and Durg bound passengers.
2. Raipur–Vizianagaram–Visakhapatnam Route (South East Axis)
Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are also connected via this route, making it convenient for people traveling from Bhubaneswar, Vizag and Brahmapur.
Important Trains
- Samaleshwari Express (18005/18006): Howrah–Jagdalpur via Raipur and rayagada.
- Korba–Visakhapatnam Express (18517/18518): It is a portion of the coastal Andhra Chhattisgarh link. This route provides good access for people going to South India through Visakhapatnam and those returning from it.
3. Bilaspur-Katni-Delhi Route (Northward Axis)
Rome and other cities in northern India are directly connected with Raipur Maddapara via Jabalpur Katni and Satna.
Key Trains:
- Samta Express (12807/08) : Visakhapatnam–Hazrat Nizamuddin stops at Raipur
- Chhattisgarh Express (18237/18238) Bilaspur to Amritsar, goes through Raipur For passengers travelling from Delhi, MP, Punjab and UP, this route is most convenient.
Raipur–Nagpur–Hyderabad/Bangalore (Southwest Axis)
This line gives connectivity from Raipur to the south of India specifically to Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Key Trains:
- Sanghamitra Express (12295/12296) Patna–Bangalore via Raipur
- Secunderabad–Raipur Express (12771/72) connects Chhattisgarh to Telangana
- Yeshvantpur–Korba Express (22648/22647) from Korba and Bangladore to Raipur. A preferred option for people travelling to and from Hyderabad, Bangladore and southern states.
Well Known Trains Servicing Raipur
| Train Name | Route | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Gitanjali Express (12859/60) | Mumbai – Howrah | Superfast |
| Samta Express (12807/08) | Visakhapatnam – Delhi | Superfast |
| Azad Hind Express (12129/30) | Pune – Howrah | Superfast |
| Chhattisgarh Express (18237/38) | Amritsar – Bilaspur | |
| Samaleswari Express (18005/06) | Howrah – Jagdalpur | Express |
| Secunderabad–Raipur Express | Telangana – Raipur | Superfast |
| Sanghamitra Express (12295/96) | Patna – Bangalore | Premium |
| Garib Rath (12535/36) | Lucknow – Raipur | AC Budget |
Railway Stations Adjacent to Raipur
Along with Raipur Junction, there areother stations adjacent to it which can be useful for your travel locally.
| Station Name | Code | Distance from Raipur | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urkura | URK | 4 km | Suburban station |
| Sarona | SZB | 7 km | Minor passenger halts |
| Mandir Hasaud | MNDH | 16 km | Small local station |
| Bhilai (Power House) | BPHB | 30 km | Industrial township nearby |
| Durg Junction | DURG | 40 km | Major station for Bhilai-Durg region |
If your stay or travel is in Telibandha, New Raipur, or Sejbahar, these stations would be more convenient and less busy.
Train Classes and Seat Options
Subject to your financial plan and the comfort level you seek, the following options are available.
| Class Code | Description | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | AC First Class | Private cabins, meals (some trains) |
| 2A | AC 2-Tier | Bunks, bedding, privacy curtains |
| 3A | AC 3-Tier | Budget AC with more passengers |
| SL | Sleeper Class | Non-AC, open berths, popular choice |
| 2S | Second Sitting | Day trains, non-AC |
| GEN | General | Cheapest, unreserved |
For long distance train journeys longer than 6 hours, 3A or SL is usually the most comfortable and offer great value.
Booking Train Tickets to Raipur
Step-by-Step Booking Instructions:
- For ticket booking users may visit www.irctc.co.in or download Paytm, MakeMyTrip and ConfirmTkt
- For example: “Delhi – Raipur” Select departure and arrival stations
- Choose your train and class
- Fill forms for every passenger and proceed to make the payment
- Receive e ticket on email or SMS
Tips:
- For long journeys make sure to book tickets 15-30 days earlier
- For last minute travel, try the Tatkal Quota (available one day prior to travel)
- It is mandatory to carry a valid photo ID while traveling
Facilities Available on Raipur Junction
- Waiting Rooms: AC and Non-AC for reserved passengers
- Retiring Rooms: Can be booked through IRCTC for a short rest.
- Food Options: Vendors on the platform (local snacks), IRCTC food courts (catered meals), and snack stalls
- Sanitation Services: Clean toilets and reverse osmosis water.
- Elevators and Escalators: Escalators for the elderly and those with heavy baggage.
- Free railwire wi-fi is available
- Outside of Platform 1 is a Stand for Prepaid Auto
Best Train Travel Time to Raipur
| Season | Travel Conditions | Suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Oct–Feb) | Moderately cool and pleasant hours | Ideal time for tourism and enjoyment |
| Summer (Mar–June) | Extremely warm during the day | Travel in AC coaches and drink lots of water |
| Monsoon (July–Sept) | Humid but attractive | Buffered train delay time is likely |
Suggestions and Recommendations
- Make sure to check your PNR status before traveling on IRCTC or by using the ‘Where is my Train’ app
- Try to avoid traveling to peak dates of festivals unless there is an advanced ticket booking
- Choose early morning or overnight trains for more comfort.
- Local auto-rickshaws and city buses are accessible at the exit of Raipur station.
Train Connectivity From Raipur To Nearby Destinations
| Route | Estimated Duration | Common Trains |
|---|---|---|
| Bilaspur | 2 hrs | Korba Exp, Samta Exp, Local trains |
| Durg/Bhilai | 1 hr | Many MEMUs and Express trains |
| Jadgalpur | 6-7 hrs | Samaleshwari Exp via Rayagada |
| Nagpur | 5-6 hrs | Gitanjali and Azad Hind Exp |
| Bhubaneshwar | 10-11hrs | Samaleshwari Exp, Puri Exp |
| Delhi | 20 hrs | Samta and Chhattisgarh Express |
| Mumbai | 16-18 | Gitanjali, Duronto, Azad Hind |
Raipur is a Rail Ready City
Owing to its strategic location, the city is one of the most connected rail cities in the country. Train travel to Raipur is not an issue whether you are coming from a metro like Delhi or Mumbai, or a smaller town in Odisha or MP. Trains to the heart of Chhattisgarh are available, and at an affordable fare as well.
So buy your ticket, settle on an itinerary, and prepare for the culture, industry, and greenery that is Raipur, starting with a train ride.
