When any passenger goes to buy a ticket for a train journey, multiple options are available to them to choose from. Sometime these many options create confusion about which class of ticket should be booked. You can book ticket under the class depending on your need and budget. Here we are going to give a glimpse of the different classes present in the train. We will start moving in ascending order i.e. cheapest to expensive class.
1) Second Sitting (2S)
Second class sitting can be reserved or unreserved. There is no sleeping berth available; people need to manage their whole travel by sitting only. The unreserved second class seating is the cheapest and most crowded one. People stuff in the compartment and fight like animals inside for seats. This unreserved class is not recommended for long distance travel in India.
2) Air Conditioned Chair Car (CC)
Air Conditioned Chair Car class is mostly available in Shatabdi Express and Inter-city Trains. This class is there for only short-distance express trains which connects important cities across. This is fairly comfortable for a day-time journey. This is similar to an airplane and has overhead space for the luggage. The bathroom here is clean and basic; and is of western and Indian styled. The cost of Executive CC is little high as it also includes food.
3) Sleeper Class (SL)
This is the way, most of the middle class Indian travel. Majority of the long distance trains are occupied by this Sleeper class. It is a replica of 3AC with no AC off-course. There are three berths each on both sides of the compartment. Technically, this class is reserved one, so there shouldn’t be any crowd. But due to localities boarding train for their short journey, this class remains crowded. Bedding is not provided and washrooms here are not that clean. Travelling through this class in summers sometimes really becomes a bad idea.
4) Three Tier Air Conditioned Class (3AC)
Three Tier AC class is the cheapest of other AC class which offers comfortable & quite journey to the passengers. Windows are tinted black which can’t be open. Similar to 3-tier sleeper coach, there is 2x3 seating arrangement which can be discomforting sometimes. It is more crowded than other AC classes, privacy also lacks here as there is absence of curtains for the berth in this class. Like other AC class, bedding (pillow & blanket) is provided; the compartments and washrooms (Indian & western styled) are also quite clean here. But the cleanliness depends upon the people who use it.
5) Two Tier Air Conditioned Class (2AC)
Two Tier AC class has 2x2 seating arrangement, that means there are only 4 seats in each compartment and 2 on the opposite corner side. It is preferred choice of class for upper-middle people. The added advantage from 3-Tier AC is that, here there is more space, less crowd and privacy is also offered as curtains are here for the berths. You can travel peaceful through this class.
6) First Class Air Conditioned (1AC)
This class is found in most popular inter-state trains only. It cost double that of 2-Tier AC, near to flying cost. You get a personalized service here for making your bed; other facilities includes provision of bedsheet, pillow, blanket, personalized charging connection & reading light is provided for each bed. Here the compartment has lockable door for privacy. This compartment can have 2 berth or 4 berth in it. Washrooms are the most cleanest and well-maintained one.
1) Second Sitting (2S)
Second class sitting can be reserved or unreserved. There is no sleeping berth available; people need to manage their whole travel by sitting only. The unreserved second class seating is the cheapest and most crowded one. People stuff in the compartment and fight like animals inside for seats. This unreserved class is not recommended for long distance travel in India.
2) Air Conditioned Chair Car (CC)
Air Conditioned Chair Car class is mostly available in Shatabdi Express and Inter-city Trains. This class is there for only short-distance express trains which connects important cities across. This is fairly comfortable for a day-time journey. This is similar to an airplane and has overhead space for the luggage. The bathroom here is clean and basic; and is of western and Indian styled. The cost of Executive CC is little high as it also includes food.
3) Sleeper Class (SL)
This is the way, most of the middle class Indian travel. Majority of the long distance trains are occupied by this Sleeper class. It is a replica of 3AC with no AC off-course. There are three berths each on both sides of the compartment. Technically, this class is reserved one, so there shouldn’t be any crowd. But due to localities boarding train for their short journey, this class remains crowded. Bedding is not provided and washrooms here are not that clean. Travelling through this class in summers sometimes really becomes a bad idea.
4) Three Tier Air Conditioned Class (3AC)
Three Tier AC class is the cheapest of other AC class which offers comfortable & quite journey to the passengers. Windows are tinted black which can’t be open. Similar to 3-tier sleeper coach, there is 2x3 seating arrangement which can be discomforting sometimes. It is more crowded than other AC classes, privacy also lacks here as there is absence of curtains for the berth in this class. Like other AC class, bedding (pillow & blanket) is provided; the compartments and washrooms (Indian & western styled) are also quite clean here. But the cleanliness depends upon the people who use it.
5) Two Tier Air Conditioned Class (2AC)
Two Tier AC class has 2x2 seating arrangement, that means there are only 4 seats in each compartment and 2 on the opposite corner side. It is preferred choice of class for upper-middle people. The added advantage from 3-Tier AC is that, here there is more space, less crowd and privacy is also offered as curtains are here for the berths. You can travel peaceful through this class.
6) First Class Air Conditioned (1AC)
This class is found in most popular inter-state trains only. It cost double that of 2-Tier AC, near to flying cost. You get a personalized service here for making your bed; other facilities includes provision of bedsheet, pillow, blanket, personalized charging connection & reading light is provided for each bed. Here the compartment has lockable door for privacy. This compartment can have 2 berth or 4 berth in it. Washrooms are the most cleanest and well-maintained one.