Best Trains Between Mumbai and Goa (Konkan Route)
Mumbai-Goa trains compared: the Vande Bharat is fastest at about 10.5 hours but runs three days a week, the Konkan Kanya is the classic overnight sleeper pick.
TrainLiveStatus Desk · Updated · 4 min read
Photo: Mohit Hambiria / Pexels
The Konkan Railway between Mumbai and Goa is as much about the journey as the destination, running between the Western Ghats and the sea through a line of roughly 90 tunnels (counted over the full Konkan Railway) and long coastal stretches. Which train to pick depends on whether speed, an overnight sleeper, or the views matter most to you.
The comparison
| Train | Type | Journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vande Bharat Express (22229) | Vande Bharat, chair car | About 10 h 35 min | Fastest, runs Mon/Wed/Fri |
| Mangaluru Express (12133) | Overnight, mixed classes | About 11 h | Overnight, continues past Goa |
| Tejas Express (22119) | Daytime, executive chair car | About 11 h 30 min | Daytime comfort, good views |
| Konkan Kanya Express (20111) | Overnight, Sleeper and AC | About 12 h 40 min | Classic overnight, save a hotel night |
| Mandovi Express (10103) | Daytime, all classes, pantry | About 14 h 45 min | Best scenic value, most stops |
Scheduled times above are from the monsoon timetable in force at the time of writing, and most trains are faster outside it; check each train's own page for live running status and running days before booking, since the fastest option here doesn't run daily.
How long does the fastest train take?
The Vande Bharat Express (22229) covers Mumbai CSMT to Madgaon in around 10 hours 35 minutes, the fastest scheduled option on the route, but it only runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so it needs planning around rather than being a daily fallback. If your travel date doesn't line up with those days, the next-fastest options are the overnight Mangaluru Express, which runs daily, and the daytime Tejas Express, which runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, both around eleven to eleven and a half hours.
Is there a good overnight sleeper option?
Yes, the Konkan Kanya Express (20111) is the long-standing overnight choice on this route, leaving Mumbai late and reaching Goa by late morning, which saves a hotel night compared with a daytime train. It carries Sleeper and AC classes, unlike the Vande Bharat and Tejas which are chair-car only, making it the practical pick if budget or an overnight save matters more than speed.
Which train has the best scenic views?
For pure scenery, the Mandovi Express (10103) is the classic pick, a slower daytime train that covers most of the Konkan coast in daylight (it reaches Madgaon at about 22:00) with more stops than the faster options, giving more time to take in the tunnels, river bridges and monsoon waterfalls beside the track. It's the slowest of the group at nearly 15 hours, but for travellers who see the journey as part of the trip rather than just transport, it's worth the extra hours. The Tejas and Vande Bharat also run in daylight and offer genuine views, just at a faster pace with fewer stops to linger at.
Which Goa station should you book to?
Most of these trains terminate at Madgaon (MAO), the main Goa terminus and the right choice for South Goa. If you're staying in North Goa, check whether your train also stops at Thivim (THVM), which saves a good hour of onward road travel compared with getting off at Madgaon and backtracking north. For Panaji or Old Goa, Karmali (KRMI) is the closer stop. Not every train calls at both intermediate stations, so it's worth checking the specific stop list on your train's page rather than assuming it matches another service on the same route.
Fares and catering across the options
The Vande Bharat and Tejas both include catering in the fare, with meals served through the journey, and both are chair-car classes built for a daytime seated trip rather than lying down. The Mangaluru Express and Konkan Kanya Express carry Sleeper and AC classes at a lower fare than the premium daytime trains, with a pantry car for food rather than an included meal. The Mandovi Express, the slowest and most budget-friendly, also runs a full range of classes including unreserved second class, making it the cheapest way to cover the route if time isn't the priority.
A note on running days
Not every train on this list runs daily. The Vande Bharat's current three-day-a-week schedule is the most restrictive (it runs on more days outside the monsoon timetable, which ends on 20 October in 2026, so recheck its running days for a winter trip), but it's worth double-checking the running days for whichever train you're considering, since Konkan Railway schedules on some services vary by day of the week more than routes elsewhere in the country. This is a quick check on the train's own page and avoids the disappointment of planning a trip around a train that doesn't actually run on your date.
Booking and checking your train
Use our trip planner to compare seat availability across these options for your travel date, and check live running status before heading to the station, particularly if you're travelling in the monsoon window when timings shift from the standard schedule. This route is genuinely popular year-round, so booking within the advance reservation window rather than close to your date gives you the best shot at your preferred train and class.
Check seats and confirmation chances
Shows availability by class, the chance a waitlisted ticket confirms, nearby boarding stations and two-train connections.
Where is your train right now?
Live position, expected arrival at every stop and the delay history of the last few weeks.
Use it on your trip
Frequently asked questions
Which train has the best scenic views on this route?
The Mandovi Express, a slower daytime train with more stops that covers most of the Konkan coast in daylight, is the classic scenic pick. The faster Tejas and Vande Bharat also run in daylight with genuine views, just at a quicker pace.
How long does the fastest train take from Mumbai to Goa?
The Vande Bharat Express (22229) takes about 10 hours 35 minutes, but it only runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so check it matches your travel date.
Is there a good overnight sleeper option?
Yes, the Konkan Kanya Express, which carries Sleeper and AC classes and saves a hotel night by leaving Mumbai CSMT late at night (around 23:00) and arriving in Goa in the late morning.
Which station in Goa should I book to?
Madgaon (MAO) for South Goa, the main terminus most trains use. For North Goa, check if your train also stops at Thivim, which is closer to the northern beaches; for Panaji and Old Goa, Karmali is the nearer stop.
Sources
Rules and fares change. Check the official source before you travel. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.
