The Various Travel Classes on Trains

The Indian Railways is the 4th most extensive railway network in the world. With 7349 stations across the country and over 13,000 passenger trains being operated, it is the main mode of transport or the 1.35 billion people who live in India. It is the cheapest mode of transportation across India, with tickets as less as INR 1000 for travel from the southern tip of India, Kanyakumari to the northernmost part of India, Jammu. Several websites allow you to check the indian train status, to know its exact location at a specific time.

Since it caters to a broad customer base, the Indian Railways offers different types of travel classes on their train coaches.

The Different Classes of Seating

• 1A – This is also known as AC first class. It is the most expensive class, with prices almost the same as air travel. Generally, there are eight cabins in the full first AC coach and three cabins in the half first class AC coach. What makes this coach so costly is the presence of an attendant to answer your calls. Bedding is also included in the fare. Due to its high-price, the air-conditioned coach is only present on some of the popular routes. Three cabins in the half first class AC coach. What makes this coach so costly is the presence of an attendant to answer your calls. Bedding is also included in the fare. Due to its high-price, the air-conditioned coach is only present on some of the popular routes.
• 2A- This is also known as AC two tier. In addition to being air-conditioned, they have sleeping berths. This is arranged in two different levels of size, with two lengthwise along the coach and four across the width. A coach can typically carry around 48 passengers.
• FC- First Class is similar to 1A, except for the presence of air conditioning. Bedding is also not available, and the berths are not as wide and spacious as in 1A. One attendant is present, and these coaches are only present in heritage trains.
• 3A- This is known as AC 3 tier. These air-conditioned coaches have 64 berths in total and are slightly less luxurious as compared to 2A. Reading lights and curtains are not present, although bedding is included in the fare.
• CC- Popularly known as AC chair car, this air-conditioned coach has five seats in every row. It is typically used for intercity day travel. The Double Decker Express with its double-deck coaches has something very similar to this.
• SL- The well-known and popular sleeper class. Usually, ten or more coaches of sleeper class are attached to a train. Three berths are present across the width of the coach, and two lengthwise and air-conditioning is not present. For long-distance trains, SL is the default class that is available. 72 passengers can be present in each coach.

• 2S- Second Seater is very similar to the chair car, except that it doesn’t have air conditioning. IT is the cheapest reserved class available on the indian train status.
• UR/GEN: This is the unreserved or general class. It is the least expensive mode of accommodation by the Indian Railways. The primary issues, however, is that seats are not guaranteed. Since it is unreserved, tickets are only valid for use within 24 hours of purchase. It is the least expensive mode of accommodation by the Indian Railways. The primary issues, however, is that seats are not guaranteed. Since it is unreserved, tickets are only valid for use within 24 hours of purchase.

The multitude of seating accommodation available ensures that people of all backgrounds are able to travel across the country as per their means.