The 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express is India’s twenty-eighth (28th) semi-high-speed train, improving rail connectivity between Tirunelveli and Chennai Egmore in Tamil Nadu. Departing from Tirunelveli Junction, the train travels to Chennai Egmore, halting at six key stations along its route. This modern express train was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing from New Delhi on September 24, 2023.
Train Timetables and Schedules
Station Name | Arrival | Departure | Halt Time | Distance |
Tirunelveli Junction | Start | 06:05 AM | -- | 0 km |
Virudhunagar Junction | 07:18 AM | 07:20 AM | 02 min | 113 km |
Madurai Junction | 07:50 AM | 07:55 AM | 05 min | 157 km |
Dindigul Junction | 08:38 AM | 08:40 AM | 02 min | 222 km |
Tiruchchirappalli Junction | 09:45 AM | 09:50 AM | 05 min | 317 km |
Villupuram Junction | 11:46 AM | 11:48 AM | 02 min | 494 km |
Tambaram | 01:13 PM | 01:15 PM | 02 min | 628 km |
Chennai Egmore | 01:55 PM | End | -- | 653 km |
Table of Contents
General Overview
The table below presents key specifications of the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express, including its type, number, series, generation, manufacturer, operator, inaugural run date, and other essential details. This information provides passengers with a clear understanding of the train’s important attributes.
| Train Service: | Vande Bharat Express (formerly known as Train18) |
| Train Type: | Semi-High-Speed |
| Train Name: | Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express |
| Train Number: | 20666 |
| Train Series: | Twenty-Eighth (28th) Vande Bharat Express Train |
| Train Generation: | Twenty-Sixth 2nd Generation | Fourteenth Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 Express Train → Now Extended to Regular Vande Bharat 2.0 Express Train on 15 January 2025 |
| Train Version: | Vande Bharat 2.0 or VB2 |
| Designed By: | Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) |
| Manufactured By: | Integral Coach Factory (ICF) |
| Operated By: | Indian Railways |
| Current Operator Zone: | Southern Railways (SR) |
| Inaugural Run: | 24 September 2023 |
| Commercial Run: | 25 September 2023 |
| Reverse Route: | 20665 Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli Vande Bharat Express Train |
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Platform Number and Stops
In the table below, you’ll find the halts, station names, station codes, and platform numbers for the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express. This information ensures passengers can plan their boarding and alighting at the correct platforms throughout the journey.
| Halt/Stops | Station Name | Station Code | *Platform Number |
| Start | Tirunelveli Junction | TEN | 3 |
| First | Virudhunagar Junction | VPT | 2 |
| Second | Madurai Junction | MDU | 1 |
| Third | Dindigul Junction | DG | 4 |
| Fourth | Tiruchchirappalli Junction | TPJ | 3 |
| Fifth | Villupuram Junction | VM | 4 |
| Sixth | Tambaram | TBM | 4 |
| End | Chennai Egmore | MS | 4 |
Note: *Platform numbers for the 20666 Vande Bharat Express may change. Please verify the platform information at the station before boarding.
Coach Position and Its Components
Here’s a detailed table showing the coach positions and components of the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express. The table covers coach serial numbers, positions, colors, seating capacities, travel classes, and seating arrangements, helping you easily locate your seat and class on board.
| Coach Serial Number | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Coach Position |  C14 | C13 | C12 | C11 | C10 | C9 | C8 | E2 | E1 | C7 | C6 | C5 | C4 | C3 | C2 | C1 |
| Coach Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Pink Color | Pink Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color |
| Seating Capacity | 44 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 52 | 52 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 44 |
| Travel Class | CC | CC | CC | CC | CC | CC | CC | EC | EC | EC | CC | CC | CC | CC | CC | CC |
| Seating Arrangement | 3×2 | 3×2 | 3×2 | 3×2 | 3×2 | 3×2 | 3×2 | 2X2 | 2X2 | 3X2 | 3X2 | 3X2 | 3X2 | 3X2 | 3X2 | 3X2 |
Train Routes and Frequency
For those planning to travel on the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express, the following table gives essential details about its route, frequency, and running days. It outlines the train’s path from origin to destination and the specific days it operates for passenger convenience.
| Train Routes | Tirunelveli Junction → Virudhunagar Junction → Madurai Junction → Dindigul Junction → Tiruchchirappalli Junction → Villupuram Junction → Tambaram → Chennai Egmore |
| Frequency | Six days a week, excluding Tuesdays |
| Running Days | Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays |
Speed and Distance
For those interested in the travel specifics of the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express, the table below details the train’s average speed, maximum permissible speed, distance covered, and total travel time. This information helps passengers better understand the journey’s pace.
| Speed | Average: 83 km/h | Maximum: 110 km/h |
| Distance | 653 km |
| Travel Time | 7 hours 50 minutes |
Fares
The fare structure of the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express includes AC Chair Car (CC) and Executive Chair Car (EC) options. The table below highlights ticket prices from the starting station to intermediate points and the final destination, ensuring clarity for passengers.
| Station (From/To) | CC Fare (₹) | EC Fare (₹) |
| Tirunelveli Junction to Virudhunagar Junction | 470 | 905 |
| Tirunelveli Junction to Madurai Junction | 655 | 1195 |
| Tirunelveli Junction to Dindigul Junction | 765 | 1420 |
| Tirunelveli Junction to Tiruchchirappalli Junction | 920 | 1730 |
| Tirunelveli Junction to Villupuram Junction | 1200 | 2295 |
| Tirunelveli Junction to Tambaram | 1625 | 2965 |
| Tirunelveli Junction to Chennai Egmore | 1665 | 3055 |
Note: Fares include all additional charges, such as catering fees and other related costs, applicable only for the general quota.
Connecting State and City
The table below provides details on the states/UTs and cities connected by the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express. It includes information on journey days, total stops/halts, and intermediate stations from the source to the destination, helping passengers plan their trip effectively.
| Connecting State/UT | Only Tamil Nadu |
| Connecting City | Tirunelveli and Chennai Egmore |
| Journey Days | Single Day |
| Intermediate Stations | 6 halts and 113 Intermediate Stations between Tirunelveli Junction and Chennai Egmore |
Features and Facilities
The 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express offers modern facilities for a comfortable journey. The table below provides details on coach classes, seating arrangements, and total capacity. It also includes information on onboard services like catering, entertainment, charging ports, baggage handling, sleeper class availability, and more.
| No. of Coaches | 16 |
| Coach Class(es) | The Vande Bharat Express is equipped with two types of coaches: AC Chair Car coaches, numbered from C1 to C14, and AC Executive Chair Car coaches designated as E1 and E2. |
| Coach Positions | The 16-coach position layout of the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express Train is as follows: C14 → C13 → C12 → C11 → C10 → C9 → C8 → E2 → E1 → C7 → C6 → C5 → C4 → C3 → C2 → C1. In the 16-coach regular Vande Bharat Express, Coaches No. 1 to 7 (C14 to C8) are designated as Chair Car (CC). Coach No. 8 and 9 (E2 and E1) is reserved for Executive Class (EC), while Coaches No. 10 to 16 (C7 to C1) are also allocated as Chair Car (CC). |
| No of AC Chair Coach Classes | 14 |
| Seating Arrangement AC Chair Car | 3×2 |
| No of AC Executive Chair Car Coach Classes | 2 |
| Seating Arrangement AC Executive Chair Car | 2×2 |
| Total Passenger Seating Capacity | 1128 |
| Seating Passengers Capacity by Coach No | In the seating arrangement, both C14 and C1 coaches are designed to accommodate 44 passengers each. Moving on to C13 through C2 coaches, these compartments offer spacious seating for 78 passengers each. Additionally, E2 and E1 coaches are tailored to comfortably accommodate a total of 52 passengers each. |
| AC Chair Coaches Color | Aqua Color |
| AC Executive Chair Coaches Color | Pink Color |
| Pantry/Catering facilities | Yes (On Board Catering/E-Catering) |
| Observation Facilities | Large Windows in All Coaches |
| Entertainment Facilities | On-board WiFi, Infotainment System, Reading Light, Electric, Outlets, Bottle Holder, Seat Pockets, and Tray Table. |
| Charging Facilities | Yes |
| Sleeping | No |
| Seating Arrangement | Airline Style, Rotatable seats |
| Baggage Facilities | Overhead Racks |
| Sleeper Classes | No |
| Other Facilities | KAVACH, Additional Parking Brakes and Traction Motor System, Smoke Alarms, CCTV Cameras, Bio-Vacuum Toilets, Sensor-based Water Taps, Roller Blinds, Automatic Doors, and Odour Control System. |
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
When does the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express depart and arrive?
The 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express departs from Tirunelveli Junction at 06:05 AM and arrives at Chennai Egmore at 01:55 PM.
How often does the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express run, and what are its operating days?
This train operates six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, and does not run on Tuesdays.
How many stations does the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express stop at, and what are the station names?
The train halts at six stations during its journey from Tirunelveli Junction to Chennai Egmore. The names of the stations where it halts are: Virudhunagar Junction, Madurai Junction, Dindigul Junction, Tiruchchirappalli Junction, Villupuram Junction, and Tambaram.
How far is the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express route, what is its speed, and how long does the journey take?
The train covers a total distance of 653 km at an average speed of 83 km/h, taking approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes to complete the journey. Its maximum permissible speed is 110 km/h.
What is the route of the 20666 Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express from start to end?
The 20666 Tirunelveli–Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express follows this route from start to end:
Tirunelveli Junction → Virudhunagar Junction → Madurai Junction → Dindigul Junction → Tiruchchirappalli Junction → Villupuram Junction → Tambaram → Chennai Egmore.
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