Maitree Express: All you need to know about this train to Bangladesh

By
Annoy Chakraborty
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38
28566
Maitree Express

Started on 14 April, 2008 Maitree Express is much more than just a token of friendship between India and Bangladesh. Though officially separated after the 1947 Partition, the countries have never actually shed their common chords. There is too much binding the countries together; the language, culture, food habits and the much popular Hilsa. Many Indians have their ancestral homes in Bangladesh and many still take that nostalgic journey to Bangladesh far too often. All this makes the Maitree Express much more than just a train. It is a medium that connects family members, friends and acquaintances. Just visit the end terminus of this train, and you can feel this bond among people. However, to ease this cross border journey aboard the Maitree Express keep the below mentioned information in mind.

Maitree Express Train Schedule

Maitree Express

The train runs six days a week, from the Indian and Bangladeshi end, with no trains available on Thursdays.

From Bangladesh (Dhaka Cantonment to Kolkata)

  • 13107 – Sunday and Friday
  • 13110 – Monday and Wednesday

From India (Kolkata to Dhaka Cantonment)

  • 13108 – Saturday and Monday
  • 13109 – Tuesday and Friday

Other Facts

  • Departure Time from Kolkata: 7:10 AM (on all days)
  • Probable Platform for Departure: 1
  • Tip: Reach the Kolkata (Chitpur) station before 5 AM, as there is a two hour document verification procedure that each passenger must undergo. Manage your timings accordingly.

Procedure for Ticket Booking

Maitree Express

All bookings for the Maitree Express have to be done physically as online booking facility is not available for this train. To book tickets look through the below given details:

For Indian Citizens

  • Advance Ticket Booking: All tickets for the train need to be booked one month prior to the date of journey, this is due to certain background checks and rush for seats in the train.
  • Reservation Forms: Reservation forms are distributed, on a first come first serve basis, at the Kolkata (Chitpur) station Counter #4 from 5:30 PM (evening).
  • Documents Required: While seeking ticket booking for the train, one should carry valid Passport and Visa. Without Visa stamping on Passport, passenger will not be issued tickets.
  • Days and timing of Bookings: Tickets for the Maitree Express can be booked on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 6-10 PM at Kolkata (Chitpur) railway station main reservation office, Counter #4.
  • Ticket Fare for various Classes: Rs. 1400 for AC First Class, Rs. 845 for AC Chair Car, Rs. 540 for Second Class Chair Car.

For Foreign Nationals

  • Ticket Booking Venue: All tickets for the foreign nationals need to be physically booked from International Ticket Booking Counter at 17, Netaji Subhash Road, Kolkata.
  • Applicable Currency for Bookings: All the tickets booked would be done against money paid in Indian currency.

Along the Route

Maitree Express

  • No. of Stops: 1 (1 hour 30 minutes halt at Gede)
  • Travel Time: 10-11 hours
  • Checkpoints: Documents such as Passport, Visa and Tickets are checked at Gede and then on arrival at Dhaka Cantonment.

 

ALSO READ: All about Suvidha Trains, Amazing Facts about trains to Northeast

38 COMMENTS

  3. Hello RailYatri,
    I am Bangladeshi National. I shall come to Kolkata by road (Haridaspur). While returning I want to return by Train.

    Is it possible to come in one check point and exit through other check point?

    If yes, is there any procedure? Please note that in my visa both checkpoint name is written.
    Please help me with your valuable information.
    Thanks.

    • Yes, it is possible. But you have to explain why you have you have changed your entry and exit point and possibly a bit of investigation at the border.

  4. My visa mention the port is Air/Haridashpur, in this case can I use Maitree express. I am Bangkadeshi & my visa tipe is Business Multiple entry.

  5. I heard now traveling between India & Bangladesh and vice versa has become easy. Now customs and immigration clearances are done at departing stations which is much easier than earlier.
    Please comment on above and inform how much is total travel time between two cities.

  6. HI ALL!
    CAN I CHANGE THE JOURNEY DATE FOR MAITREE EXPRESS IN BANGLADESH. IF YES, WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE & IS THEIR ANY CHARGE?

  7. I am Uttam. I shall go to bed on 10 the Aug and will return on 15th August. Can I purchase my return tickets from Kolkata? If possible how and where!

  8. Hello. In this article you have said, that Maitree Express runs 4 days from Kolkata to Dhaka and 4 days from Dhaka to Kolkata. But from railway website, I came to know it runs only two days i.e from Kolkata to Dhaka on Tuesdays and Fridays and from Dhaka to Kolkata on Wednesdays and Saturdays. So I think this article should be updated.

    • Hi Mr Rana, hope you are doing well. Well the India Railway always change its Time-table etc. So it may have changed the Time-Table of Maitree Express. We will also update it soon. Thanks

  9. Hi I’m a foreign national, planning to go from Kolkatha to Dakha by train, is it possible to do the Visa On Arrival using this way of transportation? or do I have to get my Bangladesh visa done first? many thanks

  11. Hello,

    1. If my journey (to DHAKA) date is 7th December 2018 then on which date I need to go to book the ticket for reservation?

    2. Can I book the return ticket also at the same time?

  12. Hello RailYatri,
    I’m an Indian, I want to travel to Dhaka on the last week of December. I don’t have visa now, I’m planning to take visa on arrival . is any possibilities to get train ticket?. Kindly elaborate it’s procedures

  14. Dear:sir/ma’m
    I want a general ticket of maytree express but my question is from where can I purchase this ticket ? Can u tell me please?

  15. Why original passport and visa required. Why the ticket will not issued on the basis of photo copy/scan copy of passport and visa. While immigration done at end to end point like flight then why original require. To book a flight ticket original passport or visa is not require, of course while bookig the passport and visa number to be made. What’s the problem to give online reservation to avoid a huge rush over the counter. Today I have visited Fairly Place to book my friends ticket with scan copy of passport and visa but they refused to issue the ticket. Moreover there was no “May I Help Counter” The duty RPF is also not friendly. Since my friends of Bangladesh did not get the ticket well in advance they had to cancel their tour programme to India. It is not only the loss of Indian Tourism but also carry a wrong impression of Indian Railway.

  16. Hi sir
    I want to buy return ticket from dhaka-kolkata -dhaka from comlapur station.so i don’t know which day is the close day.if u inform me i’ll go to buy ticket for next month.plz let me know which day is the off day in dhaka station.

  17. Hello,
    I have heard Visa is only valid for a month, thus one has to stamp the date as late as possible. For example, if I need to come back on 24th January, my passport should not be stamped before 24th December. In this case how do I get my ticket one month prior my journey? Thanks in advance.

  18. my parents and I, want to go by train. Can I book tickets on behalf of my parents? or, is it mandatory that all passengers be present at time of booking reservation?

  19. Hello,
    1. Can I avail senior citizen discount in moitree express, to and fro?
    2. Can I book return reservation (Dhaka to Kolkata) from Kolkata station?

    • Hi Chandan for that you need to be ready with all your documents which is not possible. therefore you may not be able to get tickets. Thanks

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