Towards the end of the year 2018, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) upgraded the Kaduna – Abuja Train service by adding two new trains and about 10 more coaches to existing ones. With that development came an increase in the number of daily trips through the route from two to four. And expectably, the prices also went up slightly.

The seemingly moderate upgrade went a long way in improving the Kaduna to Abuja train service, as it has now become one of the most effective, organized, and widely patronized train services in the country. In this post, we’d be looking at the current Kaduna – Abuja train schedule, travel fares, and other important details you need to know before plying that route via the train.

Kaduna to Abuja Train Schedule for Sundays

• Departure from Rigasa station: 1.00pm (first trip) & 4.00pm (second trip)
• Arrival at Kubwa station: 2.50pm (first trip) & 6.00pm (second trip)
• Departure from Kubwa station: 2.54pm (first trip) & 6.05pm (second trip)
• Arrival at Idu station: 3.05pm (first trip) & 6.20pm (second trip)

Abuja to Kaduna Train Schedule for Sundays

• Departure from Idu station: 12.30pm (first trip) & 5.00pm (second trip)
• Arrival at Kubwa station: 12.44pm (first trip) & 5.10pm (second trip)
• Departure from Kubwa station: 12.49pm (first trip) & 5.15pm (second trip)
• Arrival at Rigasa station: 3.00pm (first trip) & 7.05pm (second trip)

Kaduna to Abuja Train Schedule for Wednesdays

• Departure from Rigasa station: 6.40am (first trip) & 6.00pm (second trip)
• Arrival at Kubwa station: 8.28am (first trip) & 8.04pm (second trip)
• Departure from Kubwa station: 8.21am (first trip) & 8.05pm (second trip)
• Arrival at Idu station: 8.43am (first trip) & 8.20pm (second trip)

Abuja to Kaduna Train Schedule for Wednesdays

• Departure from Idu station: 7.00am (first trip) & 6.00pm (second trip)
• Arrival at Kubwa station: 7.14am (first trip) & 6.10pm (second trip)
• Departure from Kubwa station: 7.17am (first trip) & 6.15pm (second trip)
• Arrival at Rigasa station: 9.15am

Kaduna to Abuja Train Schedule for Other Days (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat)

• Departure from Rigasa: 6.40am, 10.35am, 2.00pm & 6.00pm (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th trips)
• Arrival at Kubwa: 8.28am, 12.59pm, 3.58pm & 8.04pm (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th trips)
• Departure from Kubwa: 8.21am, 2.04pm, 4.03pm & 8.07pm (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th trips)
• Arrival at Idu: 8.43am, 1.20pm, 4.16pm & 8.20pm (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th trips)

Abuja to Kaduna Train Schedule for Other Days (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat)

• Departure from Idu: 7.00am, 9.50am, 2.00pm & 6.00pm (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th trips)
• Arrival at Kubwa: 7.14am, 10.02am, 2.36pm & 6.12pm (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th trips)
• Departure from Kubwa: 7.17am, 10.07am, 2.41pm & 6.15pm (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th trips)
• Arrival at Rigasa: 9.15am, 12.01pm, 5.00pm & 7.56pm (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th trips)

Kaduna to Abuja Train: Ticket Prices

• First class normal trip: N2,500
• First class express trip: N3,000
• Economy normal trip: N1,300
• Economy express trip: N1,500

UPDATE: After a 4-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government, on July 29, 2020, announced the resumption of rail services along the Abuja-Kaduna route. However, along with this development came the not-so-cheering news that train fares have been increased to enable the FG to meet up with the running costs.

Here are new rates, as announced by the FG:

• First Class: N6,000
• Business Class: N5,000
• Economy: N3,000

A normal trip refers to one during which the train will stop at every station along the Kaduna to Abuja route, while an express trip refers to a non-stop ride during which the train will stop at only two points, the Kubwa and Idu stations. So, if you’re looking to reach your destination a bit earlier, consider an express trip.

While economy trips through the Abuja – Kaduna train routes provide enough convenience, first-class trips are even better. With a first-class ticket, you get to enjoy more space, and you’d have a center table to yourself. So, if you have some work to do on your laptop, for example, you can easily pull it out and get right at it.

Abuja to Kaduna Train Service: Other Things You Need to Know

On Wednesdays and Sundays, there are only two trips from each station along the Abuja Kaduna train route. However, for other days of the week, there are 4 trips daily.

There’s a luggage carriage van dedicated to travelers’ luggage. So, if you’re worrying over having too much luggage, you’re covered.

For now, you cannot book train travel tickets online — not even through the NRC website! If you want to travel through the train service, you’d have to make your booking at the train station.

Try to get to the train station as early as possible before the stated departure time. So, if the departure time is 8 am, for example, be there by 6.30 am.

Unlike what obtains with air travel, you cannot purchase return tickets from the departure station. You have to wait until you get to the station you’ll be starting your return journey from.

During each train trip, you’d be able to buy food and gain access to medical attention if necessary. There are a number of popular Nigerian foods and snacks as well as soft drinks available on the train and medical personnel are always on board, too.

The time required for a train journey from Abuja to Kaduna is between 2 hours 30 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes. So, if you’re really pressed for time and would prefer a faster option, board a plane. Nonetheless, train trips through the route are usually smooth and cool.