Here is the brief explanation of the different classes of travel.

  • AC First Class (1A)- It is the highest class of travel Indian Railways offers on normal trains. It offers air conditioned accommodation for two berths (one up or one down) or four berths (two up and two down). They are lockable compartments for overnight journeys. The other services provided are linen/blankets, facility of shower/toilet at either end of the carriage and attendant services are also provided.
  • AC 2 Tier (2A)- It is the second highest sleeping class offered by the Indian Railways. It consists of eight bays of berths that are divided into four "inner" (or transverse) berths and two "side" berths. While the former are arranged perpendicular to the direction of the train, the latter are parallel to its movement. Each set of four inner berths has a privacy curtain that can be drawn across to cut off views of the corridor, as does each set of side berths.
  • AC 3 Tier (3A)- Three-tier AC Sleeper has a similar layout when compared with Second AC Sleeper - the coach is divided into eight bays that have six "inner" berths and two "side"berths in each bay respectively. The inner bay in Three-tier has three sets of berths; lower, middle and upper (hence the name, "three-tier"). The backrest of the lower berth rotates upward to form the middle berth, which when up prevents any of the three passengers - lower, middle, and upper - from sitting upright. Toilet facility and the shower facility is also provided at the either end of the carriage.
    • First class (FC)- It offers non AC accommodation for two berths( one up and one down) or four berths (two up and two down). They are lockable compartments for overnight journeys. The facility of toilet/shower are also provided at either end of the carriage.
    • AC chair car(cc)- It is an air conditioned carriage with reclining seats. It provides only sitting accommodation.
    • Sleeper (SL)- It is similar to AC 3 tier except that it is non-AC.
    • Second Sitting (2S)- It provides sitting accommodation with bench style seats.