Delhi Metro early start on 18 Oct for the half marathon
Red, Yellow, Blue and Violet Metro lines start at 3:30 am on Sunday 18 October 2026 for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Times, frequency and volunteer stations.
TrainLiveStatus Desk · Updated · 3 min read
Photo: SANZU TAMU / Pexels
Delhi Metro starts four lines early on Sunday, 18 October 2026, for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (see the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station page). Trains on the Red, Yellow, Blue and Violet lines begin at 3:30 am from their terminal stations. The other lines keep their regular Sunday timetable, so the early start only helps if your journey uses one of these four lines.
Which lines start early, and where they run
The early service is reported by India.com, which says the change applies from the terminal stations below. Check the stations on the way before you travel, and see the Delhi Metro overview for the full network.
| Line | Terminal stations |
|---|---|
| Red | Rithala to Shaheed Sthal New Bus Adda |
| Yellow | Samaypur Badli to Millennium City Centre Gurugram |
| Blue | Dwarka Sector 21 to Noida Electronic City and Vaishali |
| Violet | Kashmere Gate to Raja Nahar Singh (Ballabhgarh) |
Frequency before and after 6:00 am
| Time on Sunday 18 October | Frequency on the four early lines |
|---|---|
| 3:30 am to 4:15 am | Every 15 minutes |
| 4:15 am to 6:00 am | Every 20 minutes |
| 6:00 am until close of revenue services | Regular Sunday timetable |
The gap between trains widens from 15 to 20 minutes at 4:15 am. Reach the start station with some margin, and do not assume a train is waiting on the platform when you arrive.
Volunteer stations for runners and other riders
DMRC volunteers will be posted at four stations: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Jor Bagh, Janpath and Jangpura. If you need directions, look for a volunteer at one of these stations.
Connecting lines need a separate check
Business Today reported on 16 October that these corridors connect Delhi with Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. An early start on one line does not mean an early connection on another. If your trip changes lines, check the first-train timing on the connecting line before you leave, and allow extra time for the change.
If you are coming from outside the four lines, the regular Sunday timetable applies. Check the Delhi Metro page for your route before you set out, because a first train on the early line will not help if you have to wait for a later connection.
What to do on Sunday morning
- Find your start station and line in the table above, and confirm that the line is one of the four early services.
- Keep your wristband and its QR code with you when you ride to or from the stadium.
- Allow for a 15-minute gap between trains from 3:30 am to 4:15 am, and a 20-minute gap from 4:15 am to 6:00 am.
- If your connection is on a line outside the four early services, expect the regular Sunday first train, not an early one.
Related reading
If you are new to the difference between a metro and a suburban train, metro and suburban rail explained covers how the two systems work. For the Delhi-area rapid line, see Namo Bharat compared with Vande Bharat. If you are heading to New Delhi station before the race, the New Delhi station platform and gate guide is useful for the main railway side.
Where is your train right now?
Live position, expected arrival at every stop and the delay history of the last few weeks.
Good to know
The timings in this article come from the India.com report on the DMRC arrangement, with the connection note from Business Today. Official Delhi Metro notices can change at short notice, so check the DMRC website or app on the morning of the race before you leave home.
Use it on your trip
Frequently asked questions
What time do the first trains run on Delhi Metro on 18 October 2026?
On the Red, Yellow, Blue and Violet lines, trains start from their terminal stations at 3:30 am on Sunday 18 October 2026. Other lines keep the regular Sunday timetable.
How often do trains run at the start of service?
From 3:30 am to 4:15 am the four early lines run every 15 minutes. From 4:15 am to 6:00 am the gap is 20 minutes. From 6:00 am the regular Sunday timetable applies until close of revenue services.
Which stations have volunteers for the half marathon?
DMRC volunteers will be at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Jor Bagh, Janpath and Jangpura stations. Look for them if you need directions on race morning.
Do runners have to pay for the Metro?
No. The event organiser is paying participants' travel to and from the venue. DMRC has provided QR tickets based on the applicable fare, and runners collect wristbands with QR codes along with their bibs from the organisers.
Sources
Rules and fares change. Check the official source before you travel. Last reviewed 17 October 2026.
