1st Class Air Con - Your Experiences Please

Shakyamuni · Sep 2nd, 2004, 23:48

I'm training it up to Pathankot from New Delhi in about two weeks time. I'm booked on an overnight sleeper, 1st Class with air-conditioning.

Can you please reply if you have done any of these overnight journeys in this class and what was your opinion(s)? It doesn't necessarily have to be New Delhi - Pathankot route . . .

Many thanks

steven_ber · Sep 3rd, 2004, 00:05

Very quick reply

Perfect for safety & comfort, though not good value for money.

At least your coming from Scotland, the chill in the compartment wont seem so bad to a person from a cold climate.

The compartments can feel cold.

India Edge · Sep 3rd, 2004, 00:13

Nice train. Although on our Satna to Varanasi ride they had passengers in all the wrong compartments so ended up sharing my berth with an elderly Indian man. Trying to sleep sitting up sideways on a moving train made me feel like I was spinning through space. The guy accross from us snored and farted and talked in his sleep the whole time. What a night... -Greg

Anelegantchaos · Sep 3rd, 2004, 00:50

i feel 1st class alienates you from the world , plus i like open windows and enjoying a kingfisher & a beedie with other travellers. If you really value safety then , ok it probably is the best , but i always travel 2nd , have had nothing stolen and met lots of cool people ...

i'm sure you will make the best choice for your journey

safe travelling ..

cyberhippie · Sep 3rd, 2004, 04:06

I agree with Steven AC can feel cold, but blankets etc are supplied so it's not all bad news!
If you're on the top bunk and the AC vents are blowing a bit too cold turn the the air fins so they point down to the floor and you'll escape the cold draught.
An upside for me in travelling AC class (I mix and match) is you meet just as many interesting people and their command of the english language is usually (though not always of course) better than the folks you meet in 2nd class. So conversations can be a bit more in depth. I've learnt a lot about India on long trips in AC talking to my fellow passengers.

Happy Traveling

iyou · Sep 3rd, 2004, 04:46

It's true you get better English in 1st class, but whether or not that's a plus is debatable. In second class all you have to deal with is "which country come?". Better spoken English does give you more conversations, but they still frequently cover the same ground.

edwardseco · Sep 3rd, 2004, 06:10

Did this for a stretch from Delhi to Rajasthan (with child in tow). Didn't notice a lot of difference in comfort. Guess I am just too used to 2nd and the previous 3rd. AC was inadequate for the summer heat and was turned off at stations so I was less than happy..

Anelegantchaos · Sep 3rd, 2004, 07:10

ok, it is cols but really do you want to be shuttered out from the country you are visiting , and that is what you get ,,,,,you speak to people with better english , that is true , but is that why you are here. Sorry give me 2nd class any day ...

Mandsaur · Sep 3rd, 2004, 07:47

I took a 1st class sleeper from Bombay to Ratlam. At about 2am a guy took the bunk opposite mine and immediately started snoring like a buzz saw. A couple hours later he got off and a group of 4 boarded, sat in the bunk and started chatting. Then around dawn they got off and a family moved in. They chatted and shuffled around for a while and finally went to sleep right about the time I had to get off.

Point is, no matter what class you're in, you'll get a taste of the country. I'm still glad I was in 1st, because at least I was comfortable while being kept awake!

SHIMLA · Sep 3rd, 2004, 10:42

In my opinion, the First AC is fine for the rail buff when the journey is longer than just an overnight one. He/she can then truly savor the comforts of rail travel.

For an overnight journey of 10.5 hours from DLI to PTK, its rather a waste of money, particularly if you're travelling solo.

ddutta · Sep 3rd, 2004, 12:29

If you have money then AC I is definately the best. It is quite comfortable & absolutely safe (coupe for 2 is the best for a couple) too.But I must agree with Steven & Shimla that it is not good value for money for shorter distance . If the flight is available then it is better to go for flight (apex/ super saver scheme) specially when domestic air fare is going down almost every month.For shorter distance AC II is good. (even for a solo traveller). Shatabdi Exp. are good too.(If available on that route ).Rajdahani AC III is good too.

Sahibcol · Sep 3rd, 2004, 12:52

Immersing yourself in the mele of a 2nd or 3rd class carriage is one of the most rewarding experiences of a trip to India. I concur totally with Anelegantchaos, 1st class cocoons you from all this. One gets neither sense of time nor place. If that suits you, fine, but in my opinion you'll be depriving yourself of the very essence of India.

Cruisin' · Sep 3rd, 2004, 13:13

I have to travel from Delhi to Lucknow in November on a Sunday and it looks like a Shatabdi is the only train running on Sunday. Per Steven Ber's excellent research skills, I found the info on the Indian Rail website and it shows only two choices: 1A and CC.

Looks like I don't have a lot of options, either freeze to death or travel with the "masses". I'm sure neither choice would be too horrible as it looks like only a 6-hour train ride.

Two years ago I took the plane (Jet Airways Discover India Pass) but in a lot of the cities, the airports are pretty far out from the city center (as I guess is the case most places) and the relatives suggested taking the train next time as it is more convenient for them and more interesting than flying.

ddutta · Sep 3rd, 2004, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisin'

I have to travel from Delhi to Lucknow in November on a Sunday and it looks like a Shatabdi is the only train running on Sunday.
Looks like I don't have a lot of options, either freeze to death or travel with the "masses".

Dont worry, we do have regulator /switches (in AC compartments) in our good old IR trains. Moreover you can allways ask the attendents /TT of that compartment to adjust / regulate the temp. of that compartment.

steven_ber · Sep 3rd, 2004, 14:13

Have a look at 'Trains at a Glance' , look at tables 18, 22 & 25, there are loads of trains between Delhi & Lucknow.

Sep 2nd, 2004, 23:48	#1
Shakyamuni Caught up in cyclic existence Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 68	1st Class Air Con - Your Experiences Please I'm training it up to Pathankot from New Delhi in about two weeks time. I'm booked on an overnight sleeper, 1st Class with air-conditioning. Can you please reply if you have done any of these overnight journeys in this class and what was your opinion(s)? It doesn't necessarily have to be New Delhi - Pathankot route . . . Many thanks

Sep 3rd, 2004, 00:05	#2
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,567	Very quick reply Perfect for safety & comfort, though not good value for money. At least your coming from Scotland, the chill in the compartment wont seem so bad to a person from a cold climate. The compartments can feel cold. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Sep 3rd, 2004, 00:13	#3
India Edge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 218	Nice train. Although on our Satna to Varanasi ride they had passengers in all the wrong compartments so ended up sharing my berth with an elderly Indian man. Trying to sleep sitting up sideways on a moving train made me feel like I was spinning through space. The guy accross from us snored and farted and talked in his sleep the whole time. What a night... -Greg __________________ India pics India vids

Sep 3rd, 2004, 00:50	#4
Anelegantchaos Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 28	2nd class i feel 1st class alienates you from the world , plus i like open windows and enjoying a kingfisher & a beedie with other travellers. If you really value safety then , ok it probably is the best , but i always travel 2nd , have had nothing stolen and met lots of cool people ... i'm sure you will make the best choice for your journey safe travelling .. __________________ Enlightenment is permanent because we have not produced it we have merely discovered it

Sep 3rd, 2004, 04:06	#5
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	"cool" I agree with Steven AC can feel cold, but blankets etc are supplied so it's not all bad news! If you're on the top bunk and the AC vents are blowing a bit too cold turn the the air fins so they point down to the floor and you'll escape the cold draught. An upside for me in travelling AC class (I mix and match) is you meet just as many interesting people and their command of the english language is usually (though not always of course) better than the folks you meet in 2nd class. So conversations can be a bit more in depth. I've learnt a lot about India on long trips in AC talking to my fellow passengers. Happy Traveling

Sep 3rd, 2004, 04:46	#6
iyou Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon USA Posts: 502	english It's true you get better English in 1st class, but whether or not that's a plus is debatable. In second class all you have to deal with is "which country come?". Better spoken English does give you more conversations, but they still frequently cover the same ground. __________________ . . . --May a moody baby doom a yam.

Sep 3rd, 2004, 06:10	#7
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,841	Did this for a stretch from Delhi to Rajasthan (with child in tow). Didn't notice a lot of difference in comfort. Guess I am just too used to 2nd and the previous 3rd. AC was inadequate for the summer heat and was turned off at stations so I was less than happy..

Sep 3rd, 2004, 07:10	#8
Anelegantchaos Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 28	shuttered windows ok, it is cols but really do you want to be shuttered out from the country you are visiting , and that is what you get ,,,,,you speak to people with better english , that is true , but is that why you are here. Sorry give me 2nd class any day ...

Sep 3rd, 2004, 07:47	#9
Mandsaur Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 140	I took a 1st class sleeper from Bombay to Ratlam. At about 2am a guy took the bunk opposite mine and immediately started snoring like a buzz saw. A couple hours later he got off and a group of 4 boarded, sat in the bunk and started chatting. Then around dawn they got off and a family moved in. They chatted and shuffled around for a while and finally went to sleep right about the time I had to get off. Point is, no matter what class you're in, you'll get a taste of the country. I'm still glad I was in 1st, because at least I was comfortable while being kept awake!

Sep 3rd, 2004, 10:42	#10
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	In my opinion, the First AC is fine for the rail buff when the journey is longer than just an overnight one. He/she can then truly savor the comforts of rail travel. For an overnight journey of 10.5 hours from DLI to PTK, its rather a waste of money, particularly if you're travelling solo. __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Sep 3rd, 2004, 12:29	#11
ddutta Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: kolkata Posts: 803	If you have money then AC I is definately the best. It is quite comfortable & absolutely safe (coupe for 2 is the best for a couple) too.But I must agree with Steven & Shimla that it is not good value for money for shorter distance . If the flight is available then it is better to go for flight (apex/ super saver scheme) specially when domestic air fare is going down almost every month.For shorter distance AC II is good. (even for a solo traveller). Shatabdi Exp. are good too.(If available on that route ).Rajdahani AC III is good too.

Sep 3rd, 2004, 12:52	#12
Sahibcol Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Panvel, Navi Mumbai, India Posts: 54	Immersing yourself in the mele of a 2nd or 3rd class carriage is one of the most rewarding experiences of a trip to India. I concur totally with Anelegantchaos, 1st class cocoons you from all this. One gets neither sense of time nor place. If that suits you, fine, but in my opinion you'll be depriving yourself of the very essence of India.

Sep 3rd, 2004, 13:13	#13
Cruisin' Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Seattle & L.A. Posts: 28	I have to travel from Delhi to Lucknow in November on a Sunday and it looks like a Shatabdi is the only train running on Sunday. Per Steven Ber's excellent research skills, I found the info on the Indian Rail website and it shows only two choices: 1A and CC. Looks like I don't have a lot of options, either freeze to death or travel with the "masses". I'm sure neither choice would be too horrible as it looks like only a 6-hour train ride. Two years ago I took the plane (Jet Airways Discover India Pass) but in a lot of the cities, the airports are pretty far out from the city center (as I guess is the case most places) and the relatives suggested taking the train next time as it is more convenient for them and more interesting than flying.

Sep 3rd, 2004, 14:13	#15
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,567	Cruisin' Have a look at 'Trains at a Glance' , look at tables 18, 22 & 25, there are loads of trains between Delhi & Lucknow.

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