Sabari Superfast Express

The 20629 / 20630 Sabari Superfast Express is the only train operated in the route between Trivandrum and Secunderabad, it is the most demanded train which runs with heavy waiting list throughout the year. The Train is currently under the ownership of Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. It runs between Secunderabad Junction and Thiruvananthapuram Central.

Sabari Superfast Express

Overview
Service type	Superfast Express
Locale	Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
First service	6 April 1987; 38 years ago (1987-04-06)
Current operator(s)	Southern Railway
Route
Termini	Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) Secunderabad (SC)
Stops	40
Distance travelled	1,555 km (966 mi)
Average journey time	28 hours (Approx.)
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	20629 / 20630
On-board services
Class(es)	AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Yes
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	55 km/h (34 mph) average including halts.
Route map

It is one of the 2 trains which are running between Hyderabad and Kerala. The train has a pantry car attached. It is always crowded with devotees looking to travel to the Sabarimala Temple.

Etymology

The train is named after the famous Hindu pilgrimage site, the Sabarimala Temple.

History

It was a mail express train and started its first service 37 years ago, on 6 April 1987.

Earlier the train used to run between Hyderabad Deccan and Cochin Harbour Terminus railway station from1987 till 2005. It was extended to Thiruvananthapuram Central from 27 March 2005.

The Train Category got Upgraded from Mail Express to Superfast Service from 29th September 2025.

Schedule

The train from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Secunderabad Junction leaves at 6:45 AM and arrives at 11:00 AM the next day. It carries the number 20630.

The train in the opposite direction, from Secunderabad Junction to Thiruvananthapuram Central, leaves at 02:25 PM and arrives at 06:20 PM the next day. It uses the number 20629.

The total distance covered by this train is 1555 km (974 miles). The average journey takes approximately 28 hours.

Important halting stations

Sabari express at Guntur Railway Station

• Thiruvananthapuram Central
• Varkala
• Kollam Junction
• Karunagappalli
• Kayamkulam
• Mavelikara
• Chengannur
• Thiruvalla
• Changanasseri
• Kottayam
• Ernakulam Town (North)
• Aluva
• Thrissur
• Wadakkancherry
• Ottapalam
• Palakkad Junction
• Coimbatore Junction
• Tiruppur
• Erode Junction
• Salem Junction
• Morappur
• Jolarpettai Junction
• Katpadi Junction
• Chittoor
• Tirupathi
• Renigunta Junction
• Gudur Junction
• Nellore
• Singarayakonda
• Ongole
• Chirala
• Bapatla
• Nidubrolu
• Tenali Junction
• Guntur Junction
• sattenapalle
• Piduguralle
• Nadikudi
• Miryalguda
• Nalgonda
• Charlapalli
• Secunderabad Junction

Rake sharing

This train runs with 3 dedicated rakes with primary maintenance at Trivandrum Central.

Traction

The train is regularly hauled by either a Lallaguda Loco Shed based WAP-7 or Vijayawada Loco Shed based WAP-4 electric locomotive on its entire journey.