Banalata Express (791)
Route & Stoppage Schedule (রুট ও স্টপেজ সময়সূচী)
| Station (স্টেশন) | Arrival (পৌঁছানো) | Departure (ছাড়ার সময়) | Halt (বিরতি) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka | --:-- | 01:30 pm BST | 0 min |
| Biman_Bandar | 01:53 pm BST | 01:58 pm BST | 05 min |
| Rajshahi | 05:45 pm BST | 06:05 pm BST | 20 min |
| Chapainawabganj | 07:15 pm BST | --:-- | 0 min |
General Expert Tips for Bangladesh Railway Travel
- Book tickets online at eticket.railway.gov.bd — the booking window opens 10 days before departure at 8 AM.
- Choose Snigdha (AC chair) or AC Berth for journeys longer than 4 hours; Shovan Chair is a comfortable budget option.
- Track any train in real time: SMS "tr [train number]" to 16318 (works on Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink).
- Arrive at the station at least 20–30 minutes before departure; platform assignments can change.
- During Eid and major public holidays, tickets sell out weeks in advance — plan and book as early as possible.
Source: BD Railway Info editorial team.
About Banalata Express (791)
Banalata Express (Train No. 791) connects Dhaka with Rajshahi, named after "Banalata Sen" — one of the most celebrated poems in Bengali literature, written by Jibanananda Das. The poem's evocative imagery of Natore (a town on this route) and its metaphorical beauty made it a fitting inspiration for a train that traverses the cultural heartland of northwestern Bangladesh. Banalata Express provides an additional option on the Dhaka–Rajshahi corridor alongside the Silk City Express (765/766) and Dhumketu Express (769/770), ensuring that the growing travel demand between Bangladesh's capital and its silk-weaving northwestern hub is adequately served. The train offers Shovan Chair and Shovan classes, making it accessible to students, academics, and budget-conscious travellers. The 330-kilometre journey passes through Sirajganj and Natore — the latter immortalised in Jibanananda Das's poem — before arriving at Rajshahi, the city of silk, mangoes, and the mighty Padma river.
বনলতা এক্সপ্রেস (ট্রেন নং ৭৯১) ঢাকা–রাজশাহী রুটের ট্রেন। জীবনানন্দ দাশের বিখ্যাত কবিতা "বনলতা সেন"-এর নামানুসারে নামকরণ।
Route Highlights (রুট হাইলাইট)
- Named after the legendary Bengali poem "Banalata Sen" by Jibanananda Das.
- Passes through Natore — the town immortalised in the poem.
- Third major service on the Dhaka–Rajshahi corridor.
- Gateway to Rajshahi's silk industry, mango orchards, and Padma riverfront.
- Affordable Shovan classes ideal for university students and budget travellers.
Train History (ইতিহাস)
Banalata Express takes its name from Jibanananda Das's poem "Banalata Sen," written in 1934, which is considered one of the greatest Bengali poems of the 20th century. The poem's famous lines about "Natore's Banalata Sen" immortalised the town of Natore, which this train passes through on its way to Rajshahi. By naming the service after a literary masterpiece, Bangladesh Railway created a unique cultural connection between its rail network and the Bengali literary heritage — a distinction few railway systems in the world can claim.
How to Book Banalata Express Tickets (কিভাবে টিকেট কিনবেন)
You can book Banalata Express tickets online through the official Bangladesh Railway e-ticket portal at eticket.railway.gov.bd. Select Dhaka as departure and Rajshahi as destination, choose your preferred seat class (AC Berth, Snigdha, Shovan Chair, etc.), and pay via bKash, Nagad, Rocket or bank card.
Banalata Express এর টিকেট eticket.railway.gov.bd থেকে অনলাইনে কিনতে পারবেন।
Travel Tips for Banalata Express (ভ্রমণ টিপস)
- Literature enthusiasts: Natore stop is where the poem's imagery originated.
- Rajshahi mangoes are world-class — visit during May–July for the best varieties.
- Good alternative when Silk City Express (765) and Dhumketu (769) are booked.
- Rajshahi University campus is worth a visit — 15 minutes from the station.
- Track via SMS "tr 791" to 16318.
Live Train Tracking (লাইভ ট্র্যাকিং)
SMS Service (এসএমএস সেবা)
Send tr <space> Train no. or tr <space> Train name to 16318 to get real-time train location.
ট্রেনের বর্তমান অবস্থান জানতে 16318 নম্বরে SMS পাঠান।
Available on: Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink
Example for Banalata Express:
tr 791
tr Banalata Express
Send to: 16318
SMS Code Generator (এসএমএস কোড তৈরি করুন)
Type any train name or number to get the SMS tracking code instantly.