Kolkata to Delhi: Train, Flight and Route Options Compared

At roughly 1,449km by rail, Kolkata–Delhi is a genuine long-haul route where every mode has a real case to make.

Quick comparison

Mode | Duration | Best for --- | --- | --- Rajdhani Express | ~17h15m overnight | Comfort, meals included, no airport hassle Duronto Express | Slightly longer than Rajdhani despite no commercial halts | An alternative when Rajdhani is waitlisted Flight | ~2h–2.5h in the air | Short trips, tight schedules

Rajdhani and Duronto

The Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express covers the route in about 17h15m overnight — historically the gold standard for this corridor, and still a comfortable, reliable option in 2AC or 3AC, with catering included in the fare. The Duronto Express runs the same distance without commercial stops, but still ends up marginally slower than the Rajdhani in practice — worth knowing if you're comparing the two rather than assuming 'non-stop' automatically means 'fastest.'

Flying instead

A flight covers the roughly 1,300km air distance in about 2 to 2.5 hours, which is the obvious pick if your trip is short on days — but demand on this route means fares can swing widely depending on how far ahead you book.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Rajdhani take from Kolkata to Delhi?

Around 17h15m for the Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (via Gaya), covering roughly 1,449km overnight.

Is the Duronto faster than the Rajdhani on this route?

No — despite having no commercial halts, the Duronto Express on this corridor takes slightly longer than the Rajdhani, which remains the faster of the two premium options.