Sundarban Express Schedule — Station Timings, Stoppage & Ticket Price (2026)
This Sundarban Express Schedule includes train timings, ticket prices, stoppages, and travel information for 2026.
There is a moment on the Dhaka-Khulna journey — somewhere after Faridpur, as the train crosses the wide, flat country of the Padma floodplain — when you understand why this train is named after the world’s largest mangrove forest. The landscape here feels ancient and unhurried. The rivers run broad and brown. The paddy fields stretch without interruption to every horizon. This is the Bangladesh that does not appear in Dhaka or Chittagong — and the Sundarban Express has been taking passengers through it since 17 August 2003.
Train 726 runs Dhaka to Khulna, Train 725 runs Khulna back to Dhaka — complete station timings for both directions, the full stoppage list, updated ticket prices, and what you need to know about the Padma Bridge crossing that changed this journey permanently.
Sundarban Express — Key Details Train Numbers: 726 (Dhaka → Khulna) | 725 (Khulna → Dhaka) Route: Dhaka Kamalapur ↔ Khulna Railway Station Distance: ~449 km via Padma Bridge Journey Time: ~7 hrs 40 min (Dhaka→Khulna) | ~7 hrs 25 min (Khulna→Dhaka) Off Day: Train 726 (Dhaka→Khulna): Wednesday | Train 725 (Khulna→Dhaka): Tuesday Total Stoppages: 14 stations including origin and terminus Classes: Shovan Chair, Snigdha (AC Chair), AC Berth/Cabin Inaugurated: 17 August 2003 Live Tracking: SMS ‘TR 726’ or ‘TR 725’ to 16318
Understanding this history helps explain why the current Sundarban Express Schedule looks so different from the pre-2022 timetable.
The Padma Bridge — Why This Journey Changed in 2022
Before June 2022, the Dhaka-Khulna train journey involved a ferry crossing of the Padma River — one of the widest and most powerful rivers in South Asia. Passengers had to get off the train, board a ferry, cross the river, and board again on the other side. The entire process could add two to three hours to a journey that was already long.
The opening of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge on 25 June 2022 changed this permanently. Trains now cross the Padma on the lower deck of the bridge — no ferry, no transfer, no waiting. The journey from Dhaka to Khulna that once took 10 to 12 hours now takes approximately 7 hours 40 minutes on the Sundarban Express. The bridge crossing itself — high above the Padma, with the river visible in both directions — has become one of the more memorable moments of the journey.
Below is the complete Sundarban Express Schedule for Train 726.
Train 726 — Dhaka to Khulna Station Timings
Train 726 departs Kamalapur in the morning, crosses the Padma Bridge in the mid-morning, and arrives in Khulna in the afternoon. It is a daytime service — the entire journey happens in daylight, which means you can watch the Padma Bridge crossing and the river-delta landscape through the window. Off day is Wednesday. The complete Sundarban Express Schedule station timings are below.
| Station | Arrival | Departure | Halt |
| Dhaka Kamalapur | — | 08:00 AM | Starting Station |
| Bhanga | 09:07 AM | 09:09 AM | 2 min |
| Faridpur | 09:39 AM | 09:42 AM | 3 min |
| Rajbari | 10:15 AM | 10:25 AM | 10 min |
| Pangsha | 10:59 AM | 11:01 AM | 2 min |
| Kushtia Court | 11:35 AM | 11:38 AM | 3 min |
| Poradaha | 11:50 AM | 11:53 AM | 3 min |
| Alamdanga | 12:09 PM | 12:11 PM | 2 min |
| Chuadanga | 12:27 PM | 12:30 PM | 3 min |
| Darshana Halt | 12:50 PM | 12:53 PM | 3 min |
| Kotchandpur | 01:16 PM | 01:18 PM | 2 min |
| Mubarakganj | 01:30 PM | 01:33 PM | 3 min |
| Jashore | 02:04 PM | 02:08 PM | 4 min |
| Noapara | 02:41 PM | 02:44 PM | 3 min |
| Daulatpur | 03:08 PM | 03:10 PM | 2 min |
| Khulna | 03:40 PM | — | Terminus |
| Rajbari — The Longest Halt on Train 726 Rajbari station has a 10-minute halt — the longest of any intermediate stop on this route. This is because Rajbari is a major junction where passengers for other lines and branch services change trains. It is also the station nearest to the Padma Bridge approach, and the extended halt allows any operational adjustments before the bridge section. If you are travelling on Train 726 and need to use the facilities or get platform food, Rajbari is your best opportunity. |
Here is the return Sundarban Express Schedule for Train 725
Train 725 — Khulna to Dhaka Station Timings
Train 725 is the overnight service — departing Khulna late at night and arriving in Dhaka before sunrise. For passengers who want to avoid a full travel day, this timing is ideal: travel through the night, arrive in Dhaka early morning, and have the full day ahead. Off day is Tuesday. Here is the complete Sundarban Express Schedule for the return journey.
| Station | Arrival | Departure | Halt |
| Khulna | — | 09:45 PM | Starting Station |
| Daulatpur | 09:57 PM | 09:59 PM | 2 min |
| Noapara | 10:22 PM | 10:25 PM | 3 min |
| Jashore | 10:53 PM | 10:57 PM | 4 min |
| Mubarakganj | 11:24 PM | 11:26 PM | 2 min |
| Kotchandpur | 11:38 PM | 11:40 PM | 2 min |
| Chuadanga | 12:21 AM | 12:24 AM | 3 min |
| Alamdanga | 12:40 AM | 12:42 AM | 2 min |
| Poradaha | 12:58 AM | 01:00 AM | 2 min |
| Kushtia Court | 01:12 AM | 01:15 AM | 3 min |
| Pangsha | 01:51 AM | 01:53 AM | 2 min |
| Rajbari | 02:30 AM | 02:40 AM | 10 min |
| Faridpur | 03:12 AM | 03:15 AM | 3 min |
| Bhanga | 03:45 AM | 03:47 AM | 2 min |
| Dhaka Kamalapur | 05:10 AM | — | Terminus |
Note: Train 725 makes a 10-minute halt at Rajbari (2:30 AM to 2:40 AM) in the early hours of the morning. This is the only extended halt on the overnight journey and corresponds to the junction operations at Rajbari. Train timings are based on the official Bangladesh Railway 2026 timetable. Actual running times can vary by 15 to 30 minutes depending on conditions. Always confirm at railway.gov.bd on the day of travel.
Full Stoppage List — What Each Station Means for Travellers
The Sundarban Express stops at 14 stations between Dhaka and Khulna. Unlike the Chittagong trains which pass through a relatively urbanised corridor, this route crosses the agricultural heartland and river-delta country of southwest Bangladesh — and each stop reflects that geography: Knowing these stops on the Sundarban Express Schedule helps you plan exactly where to board, get off, or expect a longer halt.
| Dhaka to Khulna — Key Stops Explained Bhanga — First stop after Dhaka. Near the Padma Bridge southern approach. Important junction for Faridpur district. Faridpur — Divisional city of the Faridpur region. Strong passenger demand. Rajbari — Major junction. 10-minute halt. Where the Padma Bridge Rail Link connects to the southwestern network. Kushtia Court — Kushtia district — home of Lalon Shah, one of Bangladesh’s most revered folk philosophers. Chuadanga — Border district town near India. Major agricultural area. Darshana Halt — Border area. First railway station in Bangladesh historically — where the original Darshana-Jagati line opened in 1862. Jashore — Largest city on the route after Dhaka and Khulna. Significant passenger stop — 4-minute halt. Daulatpur — Last stop before Khulna. Outer suburb of the city. |
The Sundarban Express Schedule also includes the latest Bangladesh Railway ticket prices.
Ticket Prices — 2026 Updated Fares
The Dhaka-Khulna route falls under the Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway — which means it was not affected by the December 2025 Eastern Zone pontage charge revision. Western Zone fares remained stable. Current fares for the Sundarban Express:
| Class | Fare | What You Get |
| Shovan Chair | ৳ 280 | Reserved fan-cooled seat. Comfortable for this journey. Most popular class. |
| Snigdha (AC Chair) | ৳ 955 | Air-conditioned, cushioned reclining seat. Strongly recommended for the overnight Train 725. |
| AC Berth / Cabin | ৳ 1,545 | Fully air-conditioned sleeping berth or private cabin. Ideal for overnight travel on Train 725. |
If you’re unsure which class suits your journey, our Bangladesh Railway seat plan guide explains coach layouts and seat numbering in detail.
| Fare Notes Dhaka-Khulna is a Western Zone route — fares were not revised in December 2025. Eastern Zone routes (Chittagong, Sylhet) had fare increases; this route did not.A ৳ 20 online service charge applies per ticket when booking at eticket.railway.gov.bd.Children under 3 travel free. Children aged 3 to 12 pay half the adult fare.Student concession cardholders get up to 50% off — apply at any Bangladesh Railway station with a valid student ID.For the overnight Train 725, investing in Snigdha or AC Berth is genuinely worth the extra cost — 7+ hours overnight in Shovan Chair is less comfortable than the price difference might suggest. |
What the Journey Is Actually Like
| The Sundarban Express Schedule covers timings and fares, but the experience on board is worth knowing too. The Padma Bridge Crossing — The Highlight For Train 726 from Dhaka, the Padma Bridge crossing happens roughly an hour into the journey — around 9:00 to 9:10 AM. The train approaches from the Bhanga side, slows slightly, and then moves out onto the lower deck of the bridge with the river visible on both sides. The Padma at this point is enormous — a wide, powerful river that was considered unbridge-able for decades before the 2022 project. The crossing takes about 6 to 7 minutes. Window seat is worth having. On Train 725 from Khulna, the crossing happens around 2:30 AM — most passengers are asleep and miss it entirely. The Landscape — Flat, Wide, and Quietly Remarkable The Dhaka-Khulna corridor passes through some of Bangladesh’s most productive agricultural land. After the bridge, the train moves through Faridpur and Kushtia districts — known for sugarcane, paddy, and the wide flat lines of the western delta. This is not dramatic scenery in the way that Sylhet’s tea hills are dramatic. It is slow beauty — endless fields, wide rivers, rural Bangladesh going about its business at a pace that feels entirely different from Dhaka. The Overnight Run — Train 725 The overnight journey from Khulna at 9:45 PM is one of those train experiences that is genuinely pleasant if you have the right seat class. In Snigdha or AC Berth, you settle in as the train moves through Jashore and Kushtia, the AC hum becomes a kind of white noise, and the next thing you know it is 4 AM and the train is approaching the Padma from the south. Arrive in Dhaka at 5:10 AM with the whole day ahead. Food and the Pantry Car The train has a pantry car. Basic train food — rice, curry, tea, snacks — is available on board. The pantry is most useful on the overnight Train 725, where a hot meal in the evening before you settle in for the journey makes the experience considerably more comfortable. Platform vendors at Jashore and Rajbari stations also have good options during the longer halts. |
Arriving in Khulna — The Gateway to the Sundarbans
Once you’ve completed the Sundarban Express Schedule journey and arrived in Khulna, most people are heading there for one of three reasons: family visits, business, or the Sundarbans.If it is the third, here is what you need to know from Khulna station:
| From Khulna Station Khulna Railway Station is centrally located. CNG auto-rickshaws and taxis are available immediately outside. The main Rupsha River ghat — where Sundarbans launch services depart — is about 20 to 25 minutes from the station. Hotel area (KDA Avenue, Shiromoni) is 10 to 15 minutes. Getting to the Sundarbans The Sundarbans — the world’s largest mangrove forest and home of the Royal Bengal Tiger — is accessed from Mongla Port, approximately 48 km from Khulna. Tour operators in Khulna run 2-day, 3-day, and longer packages. The forest entry requires a permit from the Bangladesh Forest Department. Most organised tour packages include permits, boats, and guides. Going in without permits and a guide is both illegal and genuinely risky — the Sundarbans is not a park you wander through independently. Mongla Port — 48 km from Khulna. Main gateway to the Sundarbans. Launches depart from here.Bagerhat — 53 km from Khulna. UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Mosque City of Bagerhat with 360 medieval mosques.Kuakata — 170 km from Khulna. Sea beach with sunrise and sunset views. Reachable by local transport. |
Booking Your Ticket
You can book your Sundarban Express ticket directly using the live booking tool on our homepage, or follow the steps below. Booking requires a registered account — if you haven’t logged in before, check our Bangladesh Railway eTicket Login guide for the full process. Select Dhaka and Khulna as departure and destination (or the reverse). Choose your class — Shovan Chair, Snigdha, or AC Berth. Pay via bKash, Nagad, Rocket, or card. E-ticket arrives by SMS and email. Once your payment is confirmed, you can verify your booking anytime using our PNR status check guide.
Booking window opens 10 days before the journey date at 8:00 AM. Snigdha and AC Berth on the overnight Train 725 book out fast — particularly for Thursday and Friday departures, which are the most popular days for Khulna travel. Shovan Chair seats are more available but also fill up on weekends.
Tips Worth Knowing Before You Travel
Which Train to Choose — Sundarban Express or Chitra Express
Two intercity trains run on the Dhaka-Khulna corridor. Here is how they compare:
Comparing the Sundarban Express Schedule with its main alternative helps you decide which train fits your travel plans
| Factor | Sundarban Express (725/726) | Chitra Express (763/764) |
| Dhaka departure | 8:00 AM (Train 726) | 7:00 AM (Train 764) |
| Arrives Khulna | 3:40 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Khulna departure | 9:45 PM (Train 725) | 10:00 PM (Train 763) |
| Arrives Dhaka | 5:10 AM | 6:00 AM |
| Off Day (Dhaka→Khulna) | Wednesday | Monday |
| Off Day (Khulna→Dhaka) | Tuesday | Sunday |
| AC Berth | Yes | Yes |
| Running since | 2003 | Earlier |
| Best for | Sundarbans trips, overnight option | When Sundarban is off or full |
Both trains are comfortable and serve the same stops. The Sundarban Express is more widely known and tends to book out faster. Chitra Express is a solid alternative when it is off or full — slightly earlier departure from Dhaka, slightly later arrival in Khulna, but otherwise a very similar experience.
These frequently asked questions about the Sundarban Express Schedule help travelers plan their journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q1: What is the Sundarban Express schedule for 2026? A: Train 726 (Dhaka to Khulna): Departs Kamalapur at 8:00 AM, major stops at Bhanga 9:07 AM, Faridpur 9:39 AM, Rajbari 10:15 AM, Jashore 2:04 PM, arrives Khulna at 3:40 PM. Off day Wednesday. Train 725 (Khulna to Dhaka): Departs Khulna at 9:45 PM, major stops at Jashore 10:53 PM, Rajbari 2:30 AM, Faridpur 3:12 AM, arrives Dhaka Kamalapur at 5:10 AM. Off day Tuesday. |
| Q2: What stations does the Sundarban Express stop at? A: The train stops at 14 stations in total. Dhaka to Khulna: Bhanga, Faridpur, Rajbari, Pangsha, Kushtia Court, Poradaha, Alamdanga, Chuadanga, Darshana Halt, Kotchandpur, Mubarakganj, Jashore, Noapara, Daulatpur, Khulna. The return direction (Train 725) covers the same stations in reverse order. |
| Q3: What is the Sundarban Express ticket price in 2026? A: Shovan Chair costs ৳ 280, Snigdha AC Chair costs ৳ 955, and AC Berth/Cabin costs ৳ 1,545. The Dhaka-Khulna route is on the Western Zone and was not affected by the December 2025 Eastern Zone fare revision. A ৳ 20 online service charge applies when booking through eticket.railway.gov.bd. |
| Q4: What are the off days for this train? A: Train 726 (Dhaka to Khulna) does not run on Wednesdays. Train 725 (Khulna to Dhaka) does not run on Tuesdays. The two directions have different off days — always check which direction you are travelling before booking. |
| Q5: Does the Sundarban Express cross the Padma Bridge? A: Yes. Since the Padma Multipurpose Bridge opened on 25 June 2022, trains on the Dhaka-Khulna route cross the Padma River on the lower deck of the bridge rather than using the old ferry crossing. This reduced the journey time from 10 to 12 hours to approximately 7 hours 40 minutes. The bridge crossing is one of the highlights of the daytime Train 726 journey. |
| Q6: How do I get to the Sundarbans from Khulna? A: From Khulna Railway Station, go to Mongla Port (about 48 km, 1 to 1.5 hours by road). Most Sundarbans tour operators in Khulna arrange transport, permits, boats, and guides as part of package tours. Permits from the Bangladesh Forest Department are required — do not enter the Sundarbans without permits and a licensed guide. Organised tours are the safest and most practical approach. |
| Q7: Is there food available on board? A: Yes. The train has a pantry car with hot tea, snacks, and basic meals (rice, dal, curry). The pantry is most useful on the overnight Train 725 where a meal in the evening makes the journey more comfortable. Platform vendors at Jashore and Rajbari stations (which have longer halts) also offer food options during the stops. |
Twenty Years Connecting Dhaka and the Mangrove Coast
Following the Sundarban Express Schedule, this train has been running the route since 2003 — and the opening of the Padma Bridge in 2022 gave it a second life. What was once a 10-hour journey that required a river ferry is now a direct, comfortable daytime or overnight service. The train’s name was always aspirational — a nod to the mangrove forests at the end of the line. The Padma Bridge made the journey worthy of it.
Book at eticket.railway.gov.bd. Booking window opens 10 days before travel at 8:00 AM. Track live: ‘TR 726’ or ‘TR 725’ to 16318.
Always check the latest Sundarban Express Schedule before your journey.
