Though not on among the ‘developed nation’s list’ yet, India is definitely climbing its way up gradually. From the soaring skyscrapers to the intensive railway connectivity, we’ve come a long way from where we started.
Top class interiors, with top-class facilities and food, are what we are offered in the trains these days. Low, middle or high, all classes use these wagons, though the prices and the facilities naturally vary according to the economic strata.
To get you started,
Here’s a round-up of the top 20 fastest trains of India:
1. Delhi – Bhopal Shatabdi Express 
Rank: 1
Average Speed: 91.85 km/hr.
Just like any other Shatabdi Express, this is just another passenger train, but the one which soars with the air. Starting from New Delhi up till Habiganj, the express runs across the tourism hub of India covering New Delhi, Mathura Junction, Agra Cantonment, Gwalior, Jhansi, Bhopal. Operated by the Northern Railway, the train commenced service in 1988 and was the first Shatabdi train to be introduced.
It covers a distance of about 707 km. in approximately 8 hours 30 minutes every day. You can conveniently book an Executive or an AC Chair Car for you and your family, now even online. With the proper seating, catering and baggage facilities, you’ll reach your destination in no time.
2. Rajdhani Express (Mumbai Central – New Delhi) 
Rank: 2
Average Speed: 91.56 km/hr.
As the name suggests, ‘the Rajdhani Express’ connects the national capital, New Delhi, to the various capitals and the larger cities of the various states. The second fastest express runs from Mumbai Central to New Delhi covering Mathura, Kota, Vadodara, and Surat. Belonging to the Indian Railways, it was introduced on 17 May 1972 between the then Bombay Central and New Delhi.
The train became so popular that prior to the introduction of the current reservation facility its reservation chart was prepared just 15 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. Covering a distance of 1,384 km, the journey time is for about 15 hours 42 minutes. The catering facilities and the sleeping arrangements are just enough for you to have an amazing travel experience. You can selectively book your seat from the following categories: AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier.
3. Duronto (Sealdah – New Delhi) 
Rank: 3
Average Speed: 91.13 km/hr.
The superfast express train of the Duronto Express category belonging to Indian Railways – Eastern Railway zone, runs between Sealdah and New Delhi. It was the first and the fastest Duronto Express to be launched. The 8 years ago commenced train, covers a distance of 1,453.237632 km within an average time of 16 hours, 55 minutes.
AC 1st Class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier are the various categories from which you can conveniently book your tickets. The sleeping arrangements along with the mouthwatering food that they offer is all you need for the perfect journey.
4. Shatabdi Express (New Delhi – Kanpur) 
Rank: 4
Average Speed: 89.63 km/hr.
Originally started due to heavy passenger load in Lucknow Swarna Shatabdi Express, the express turned out to be the fourth fastest in the whole of the country. Often called Kanpur Reverse Shatabdi (because it follows the reverse timetable of Lucknow Shatabdi), it starts from Kanpur Central and finally ends at New Delhi with intermediate stops at Ghaziabad, Etawah, and Aligarh.
Travelling a distance of 437 km in approximately 4:55 hours every day, except Sunday, it provides ample seating service where you munch over the snacks they offer. Executive Chair Car, AC Chair Car are the two options from which you can book your seat.
5. Rajdhani Express (New Delhi – Howrah) 
Rank: 5
Average Speed: 88.21 km/hr.
The most prestigious Rajdhani class train in India, the Howrah Rajdhani was the first Rajdhani Express in India, thereby becoming the first fully air-conditioned train in the country. Belonging to the Eastern Railways, the train covers a distance of 1,451 km.
The time varies for every train: 17 hrs. 10 mins (for 12301), 16 hrs. 55 mins (for 12302), 19hrs 55 mins (for 12305), 19 hrs. 20 mins (for 12306). It runs near some of the holiest sites in India, including Allahabad, Gaya, and Parasnath. Also connecting the financial capital of Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, to Delhi and Kolkata, it halts at Asansol West Bengal and Dhanbad (Jharkhand). AC 1st Class (1A), AC 2 Tier (2A), AC 3 Tier (3A) are the three categories from which you can book your ticket accompanied by sleeping and eating facilities.
6. Duronto Express (New Delhi- Howrah)
Rank: 6
Average speed: 87.06 km/hr.
Belonging to the Eastern Zone of Indian Railways, the train uses the Grand Chord route. Without any unreserved seating, the train makes no stoppages, but few technical halts for carrying food and change of loco pilot staff.
The express covers a distance of 1,446 km. in about 21hr 45min. You can choose between First AC, Second AC, Third AC, Sleeper which include seating, sleeping, baggage and catering services.
7. Duronto Express (New Delhi – Allahabad)
Rank: 7
Average speed: 86.85 km/hr.
Started in 2010, Allahabad New Delhi Duronto Express is a Superfast express train of the Duronto Express category belonging to Indian Railways – North Central Railway zone that runs between Allahabad Junction and New Delhi.
The 12275 Allahabad New Delhi Duronto Express covers the distance of 634 km. in 07 hours 25 mins and in 07 hours 30 mins as 12276 New Delhi Allahabad Duronto Express. Along with the comfortable sleeping arrangements, the express makes just one halt at Tundla Junction. Book your AC 1st Class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, or Sleeper Class today!
8. Rajdhani Express (Sealdah – New Delhi) 
Rank: 8
Average speed: 87.06 km/hr.
Belonging to the Eastern Railway, the express travels from Sealdah
(Kolkata) to New Delhi every day, with six intermediate stops namely: Kanpur Central Station, Mughalsarai Junction Station, Gaya (Bihar-Jharkhand border), Dhanbad, Asansol and Durgapur.
Covering a distance of 1,458 km. in 17 hr. 30 mins, the train starts from Sealdah at 4.50 pm and reaches to New Delhi at about 10.25 am. Along with proper seating, sleeping, catering and baggage services, you can choose your seat from First AC(1A), Second AC(2A), Third AC(3A) Classes.’
9. Garib Rath (Nizamuddin – Bandra) 
Rank: 9
Average speed: 85.91 km/hr.
Belonging to Indian Railways – Western Railway zone, the superfast express train of the Garib Rath category runs between Bandra Terminus and Hazrat Nizamuddin. Running only thrice a week, the train has comparatively low fare (as the name suggests) and serves the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan & Delhi.
It covers a distance of 1,366 km within a time span of 16 hours 50 mins. It does have seating and sleeping arrangements but no catering services are provided. You can book your seat from only two classes, i.e. AC 3 tier, AC Chair Car.
10. Shatabdi Express (New Delhi-Lucknow) 
Rank: 10
Average speed: 85.03 km/hr.
Operated by the Northern Railway, the Delhi-Lucknow Express connects the country’s capital to the state capital of Uttar Pradesh. Starting from the Delhi Junction, the train travels a distance of 513km. In 6hr.30min. With intermediate stoppage at Ghaziabad Junction, Aligarh Junction, Tundla Junction, Etawah, and Kanpur Central respectively.
Along with comfortable seating and baggage facilities, non-vegetarian, vegetarian, Jain, all kinds of foods are served here. A.C. First Class Chair Car and A.C. Chair Car are the two varieties to choose from.
11. Yuva Express (Nizamuddin – Bandra) 
Rank: 11
Average speed: 84.67 km/hr.
Operating under the Western Railway zone, the superfast train connects Bandra Terminus to Hazrat Nizamuddin. The express travels a distance of 1,366 km. in 17 hrs. Though there isn’t a proper catering facility, the train offers proper seating and sleeping arrangements.
Plus, the seven intermediate stops via the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi suffice the lack of food within the train. The weekly running express offers a variety of seats to choose from AC Chair Car, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier.
12. Bandra Rajdhani Express (Mumbai Central –Nizamuddin) 
Rank: 12
Average speed: 84 km/hr.
The semi-high speed rail service linking the Indian cities of Mumbai and New Delhi. The train takes about 14 hours to complete the 1384-kilometre journey between Bandra Terminus and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in New Delhi. having 3 immediate stops, namely Surat, Vadodara, Kota, the train offers proper sleeping and catering services.
The train is especially popular with business travellers commuting from Delhi to Gujarat, as the train’s schedule allows a full day of work in Delhi with a midnight return in Gujarat. Additionally, a good portion of the traffic fueled at Bandra is from the Bandra-Kurla Complex, an upmarket commercial district about 3 km. from Bandra Terminus.
13. Yuva Express (Howrah – New Delhi)
Rank: 13
Average speed: 83.80 km/hr.
The superfast train of Indian Railways, connecting Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal to New Delhi, the express is operated by the Eastern Railway. Servicing weekly, the train travels a distance of 1,447 km.
In every trip considered to be the cheapest of all AC trains between the two cities, it comprises of AC Chair Car, AC 3 Tier and AC 2 Tier along with proper seating, sleeping and catering services.
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14. Rajdhani Express (Rajendra Nagar – New Delhi)
Rank: 14
Average speed: 81.57 km/hr.
Operating under the East Central Railway zone, the train connects Patna with and Delhi an is fastest under this section/route. Starting from Rajendra Nagar Terminal, the express travels a distance of 1,002 km every day within the time span of 11 hours 45 min.
Patna Junction, Mughalsarai Junction, Allahabad Junction, and Kanpur Central are the four halts the train makes during each journey. With 22 Coaches, the train is the longest Rajdhani Express service in the country. Offering First AC, Second AC, Third AC coaches, the express also provides proper seating, sleeping, catering and baggage services.
15. Duronto Express (Secunderabad- Nizamuddin)
Rank: 15
Average speed: 80.88 km/hr.
Operating under the Indian Railways, the superfast express starts from Secunderabad Junction and finishes the journey at Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin after two intermediate halts in between. Running bi-weekly, the train travels a distance of 1,660 km in 22 hrs. 10 mins.
The express offers comfortable and efficient seating, sleeping, catering and baggage facilities with AC 1, AC 2, AC3, Sleeper Class, General Cart to choose the seats from.
16. Duronto Express (Bhubaneswar –New Delhi) 
Rank: 16
Average speed: 80.59 km/hr.
Bhubaneswar Duronto Express is a once-a-week weekly train which runs between Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha and New Delhi. Operated by the East Coast Railway, the train travels a distance of 1,724 km in 21 hours 50 minutes.
With proper sleeping, baggage and catering provisions, the express offers a comfortable journey. The express makes many four technical halts at Balasore, Adra Junction, Mughalsarai Junction, Kanpur Central. The train offers a variety of seating: AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper.
17. Rajdhani Express (New Delhi – Howrah)
Rank: 17
Average speed: 80.30 km/hr.
Howrah Rajdhani is the most prestigious Rajdhani class train in India which connects New Delhi to Howrah, Kolkata. Operating under the Eastern Railways, Howrah Rajdhani is amongst few trains which are fully served by IRCTC.
The express travels a distance of 1,451 km (via Gaya Junction) and 1,430 km (via Patna Junction) within a timespan of 17 hrs 10 mins (for 12301), 16 hrs 55 mins (for 12302), 19hrs 55 mins (for 12305), 19 hrs 20 mins (for 12306). With comfortable seating, sleeping, baggage and catering facilities, the express offers a luxurious experience.
18. Duronto Express (Mumbai CST – Nagpur) 
Rank: 18
Average speed: 80.06 km/hr.
Nagpur Duronto Express is a daily service train which runs between Nagpur Junction, Second Capital of Maharashtra after Mumbai. Operating under the Central Railway, it daily travels a distance of 837 km in 11 hrs.
Being a Duronto express it does not stop at any other station in between. However, it does stop at Bhusawal as a technical Halt. It also stops at Igatpuri and Kasara for removal and addition of banker engines. AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class are the various categories to choose your seat from, which provide proper sleeping and baggage facilities.
19. Duronto Express (Chennai to Nizamuddin) 
Rank: 19
Average speed: 79.54 km/hr.
The Chennai Central – Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express or Chennai Duronto connects Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu with New Delhi the national capital.
Belonging to the Southern Railway Zone, the train operates twice a week, covering a distance of 2,175 km in 27 hours and 55 minutes. Taking 7 intermediate stops in between, the train provides proper sleeping, catering and baggage services. You can conveniently choose from AC 1st Class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class.
20. Rajdhani Express (Ranchi – New Delhi) 
Rank: 20
Average speed: 79.33 km/hr.
The Ranchi Rajdhani Express connects Ranchi and New Delhi and is the fastest train the Ranchi – Delhi sector. Operating under the Indian Railways, the express travels through the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi.
Starting from Ranchi Junction, the train travels a distance of 1,341 km in 16 hours and 55 minutes, making six intermediate halts in between. The bi-weekly running service provides proper seating, sleeping, baggage, and catering arrangements and you can conveniently choose your seat from AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier.
Now that you know all about the fastest trains of India, go and explore for yourself. Unleash the traveling freak within and don’t forget to share your experiences with us in the comments’ section.