Different Types of Travel Classes in Indian Railway

Travel Classes in Indian Railway

There are approximately 11 classes in the Indian Railway. In different classes the facilities are different and the fare also varies with classes. The idea of making this blog is to provide an understanding of different classes to railway travelers so that they can be comfortable while booking. Tickets can be booked through the official website of railway booking Irctc or some partners like Paytm, Railyard, etc.

Different Travel Classes in Indian Railway

The list of travel classes is as follows-

·       First AC Class(1A)

First AC is the most expensive mode of travel on the Indian railway. Every compartment in such coaches consists of 2 to 4 berths although there is no side birth available.

The major features of such trains are-

-       The ticket price is quite higher which is sometimes greater than the plane ticket fare.

-       Every compartment is equipped with a door that can be locked from the inside.

-       One can order the food through a menu card and the ambiance is made hygienic.

-       The coaches are fully air-conditioned and perfect for couples while traveling with luxury.

·       Second AC or AC 2-tier (2A)

It is also known as the AC two-tier sleeper class. This is most popular in middle-class people where four beds are available in each cabin thus it provides good spacing in terms of floor area. 

The major features of such trains are-

-       Increased privacy through certain curtains which facilitates if one is not willing to talk with others.

-       Available great floor area.

-       Separate study lights are available.

·       Third AC or AC 3-tier (3A)

This is the most selling ticket and almost all middle-income people travel through this class as the fare is optimum which means less than plane fare and greater than sleeper class fare.

The major features of such trains are-

-       The coaches are fully airconditioned.

-       6 seats are available in every cabin along with 2 side seats named side lower and side upper seats.

-       Once the senior citizen is allotted the top birth it is very difficult to manage as the height is quite high. 

·       Third AC economy (3E)

These coaches are usually found in Duronto trains and Garib Rath class trains. The prime objective of starting such trains was to provide AC coaches through which even poor people can enjoy the ride. These classes are like 3A with the only difference being that it had 3 side seats also.

The major features of such trains are-

-       Total number of seats in every cabin is 9.

-       The floor space is very small as a greater number of people are available in the cabin area.

-       The ticket fare is slightly lower thus low-income people can enjoy the AC travel.

·       AC Chair (CC)

AC chair car is available in certain trains which are usually running for short distances.  The coaches are fully air-conditioned and seats are arranged just like in airplanes.

The major features of such trains are-

-       These are specially designed for daytime travel.

-       The seats are sophisticated with a front small table, AC, and luggage rack just like in road buses.

·       First Class (FC)

These classes have been phased out although heritage trains still running with such coaches. These coaches have become symbols of prosperity in the 1970s or before and are basically non-AC coaches

The major features of such trains are-

-       Neat and clean trains with AC.

-       Two birth couples and two birth cabins with a door that can be locked from the inside.

-       These classes are less wide and less spacious compared to 1AC.

·       AC Executive Class (EC)

EC class is just like business class travel in airplanes. In such compartments, there are no sleeping provisions because of 2 by 2 seating arrangement.

The major features of such trains are-

-       Great leg space which provides more comfort level for travelers.

-       Trains like Shatabdi Express and Tejas Express are equipped with this class.

·       Sleeper Class (SL)

This is widely used by lower to middle-class people because of more flexibility available with less fare. These classes are very popular and like 3A classes except for air conditioning.

The major features of such trains are-

-       Total of 8 seats are available in each cabin although the total number of seats per compartment may be 72 to 80 numbers.

-       Nowadays two Western and two Indian toilets are available in each compartment.

-       4 Fans are available in each cabin.

·       Second Seating AC (2S)

This is the cheapest reserved train which runs generally in the daytime. The trains of the category of Jan Shatabdi and inter-city consist of such coaches. The seat configuration may be combined or individual depending upon the year of manufacturing of the coaches. 

The major features of such trains are-

-       This is the least fare booking option available through IR.

-       This is a safe and better way to travel through unreserved train coaches.

·       Unreserved General Class (UR)

This is the category of the train where people who do not have a prior booking are allowed to travel with a simple window ticket.

The major features of such trains are-

-       There are no reserved seats for the people traveling with coaches.

-       There are usually 2-3 unreserved coaches with selected trains.

-       This is the least-fare train coach available in IR.

-       If one has a bit of money try to avoid travel in this class.

·       Executive Anubhuti (EA)

These class coaches are available in certain only where sole purpose of such trains is to provide executive class comfort which may be equivalent to flight travel.

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