3rd class A/C

Jamie11 · Dec 2nd, 2004, 17:13

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what to expect of conditions when travelling 3rd A/C on the train?

thanks

soulstation · Dec 2nd, 2004, 17:19

3 A/C is a decent option. It is air con coach with three berth facing each other and 2 side berths (one upper and one lower). They will provide u with bed roll which inclues 1 blanket, 2 bed sheets, 1 small towel per person

This wont be crowded like Sleeper Class(SL) which is non-AC. You will mostly find city indians here...

This is best comfortable option to travel thru IR. I personally use this whenever I travl

ddutta · Dec 2nd, 2004, 17:20

I think this thread will help you

Knowing the Indian Train

jarman_ah · Dec 2nd, 2004, 17:27

There's really very little difference between 3AC and the much-more-expensive 2AC, especially if you specify, when booking, that you'd like either SL (side lower) or SU (side upper). In this case, you are sharing your section with only one other person (same as 2AC), and you will be lying the same way that the train is going, which means that the rocking will have much the same effect as a baby's cradle and you'll sleep well.

Really, the only thing you WON'T get in these seats that you'd get in 2AC is the privacy curtain, so 3AC people sleep in their clothes and 2AC people bring nightwear.

When we were in India we travelled in just about all the classes: 1st non-air-cond, coach class, "sleeper class", 2AC, and 3AC. The 3AC was the best option, dollar for dollar.

cyberhippie · Dec 2nd, 2004, 18:15

Nice post Jarman ah
I'll just add one tiny remark, one other advantage of 2AC over 3AC is space during the day. 2AC has only four people in the inside compartment this means a little more space to stretch out and more space for your luggage.
Just a little thing but I thought it worth mentioning!!
Other than that 3AC is probably better value for money in terms of AC travel in India!!

Happy Traveling

bansuri · Dec 2nd, 2004, 18:25

I don't know, I found there to be very little difference between 3ac and sleeper, except the blankets (in 3ac) and the fact that you can actually see out the windows in sleeper. I also found that the people in sleeper were generally more polite. Unless you are travelling during an extremely hot time of year I wouldn't waste money on AC.

SHIMLA · Dec 2nd, 2004, 20:36

3AC is crowded - 64 people accomodated as against 46 in 2AC in almost the same space !! There is far too little space under the seats to accomodate the huge suitcases(which Indians are extremely fond of carrying) of six people occupying a "cabin" !

In season, travel by 3AC is a punishment when you have to share your berth during the daytime with entire families including bawling & crawling kids and home made food !!

If you MUST travel by 3AC, then as jarman_ah recommends, try to get the side berths.

I recommend paying more, opting for LB / UB and travelling comfortably by 2 AC !!

guerik · Dec 3rd, 2004, 10:10

Fresh off a first class non-AC train from Bikaner to Delhi, I'd like to add that it's a lovely option (although not as common it seems).
I lucked out on sharing a coupe (just 2 beds) with one other lady and it was a really pleasant journey

sadhuji · Dec 3rd, 2004, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie11

Can anyone tell me what to expect of conditions when travelling 3rd A/C on the train?

there is nothing as 3rd class in the indian railways - there are only 2 options : 1st class or 2nd class.

sub options - 1st class - ordinary or air conditioned
2nd class - unreserved or sleeper

sub sub option - sleeper normal - 2 tier or 3 tier
sleeper air conditioned - 2 tier or 3 tier

mr pastry · Dec 3rd, 2004, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHIMLA

3AC is crowded - 64 people accomodated as against 46 in 2AC in almost the same space !! There is far too little space under the seats to accomodate the huge suitcases(which Indians are extremely fond of carrying) of six people occupying a "cabin" !

In season, travel by 3AC is a punishment when you have to share your berth during the daytime with entire families including bawling & crawling kids and home made food !!

If you MUST travel by 3AC, then as jarman_ah recommends, try to get the side berths.

I recommend paying more, opting for LB / UB and travelling comfortably by 2 AC !!

Having recently done the trip from Ernakulam to Margoan in AC3 I can confirm that it is a squeeze. Our compartment had 8 adults and 4 children (+ the luggage). The adults were 2 to a berth, head to toe, with the children. 2 of the children had dreadful coughs and were awake most of the night. We were in AC3 as we had brought forward our travel date by 2 days - we did have reservations in AC2 (Indrail passes) - AC3 was the best the really helpfull reservations supervisor at Ernakulam could manage over the Diwalhi weekend.

Jamie11 · Dec 3rd, 2004, 18:40

thanks for the info.

timmy · Dec 4th, 2004, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHIMLA

If you MUST travel by 3AC, then as jarman_ah recommends, try to get the side berths.

That all depends on what time of day you're travelling. On a night journey (e.g. Mumbai-Goa, 12 hours) after a few hours sitting with an Indian family you get to sleep on a longer, wider bunk, with your feet hanging off the end if you're tall. A side berth bunk will only allow someone 5"6 or less to lie down without having to assume a bent leg or foetal position.

Also I find AC quite unnessary. The only reason I've travelled in 3A this time has been because I was unable to secure a ticket for SL at short notice. With the breeze coming in the windows and ther fans it's really not that hot.

swami upanunda · Dec 4th, 2004, 20:28

I think 3AC is a bit too expensive. I travelled in 3AC for the first time this trip, and it was quite enjoyable.
But I don't think you can beat Sleeper class. What do people go to India for these days ?? What's wrong with actually being with people. It's much more of a cultural experience in sleeper, everybody becomes family after a short while, and it's really fun to watch the circus around you.

cyberhippie · Dec 4th, 2004, 20:36

True but you can have exactly the same in 3AC, just because they are slightly better heeled in 3AC doesn't make them unapproachable or Indeed unfriendly.
Some of the most interesting travel mates I had were in 3AC
I mean wouldn't you like to share a compartment with beach or shimla???
I've had good times in both classes up to about 24 hours I travel 2nd class, after that I like 3AC, for the space and for the cleanliness, not of the carriage itself but because the windows are sealed, I've done a couple of 35 hour journeys in sleeper class I was filthy from the dust coming through the windows!! Combined with how hot it can get in South India it made for a pretty uncomfortable journey!!
Just my opinion

wonderwomanusa · Dec 5th, 2004, 05:54

>>I've done a couple of 35 hour journeys in sleeper class I was filthy from the dust coming through the windows!!<<

Think of what it was like when the trains ran on coal, CH! You'd have coal smuts in your hair, and smudges on your face! Ah, but the showers in the ladies' waiting room at the stations were free then, and I used them often ... even before going off to my hotel!

Dec 2nd, 2004, 17:13	#1
Jamie11 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 195	3rd class A/C Hi, Can anyone tell me what to expect of conditions when travelling 3rd A/C on the train? thanks

Dec 2nd, 2004, 20:36	#7
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,129	3AC is crowded - 64 people accomodated as against 46 in 2AC in almost the same space !! There is far too little space under the seats to accomodate the huge suitcases(which Indians are extremely fond of carrying) of six people occupying a "cabin" ! In season, travel by 3AC is a punishment when you have to share your berth during the daytime with entire families including bawling & crawling kids and home made food !! If you MUST travel by 3AC, then as jarman_ah recommends, try to get the side berths. I recommend paying more, opting for LB / UB and travelling comfortably by 2 AC !! __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

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Dec 2nd, 2004, 17:19	#2
soulstation For God's Sake, Save The Tiger! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: IND Posts: 141	3 A/C is a decent option. It is air con coach with three berth facing each other and 2 side berths (one upper and one lower). They will provide u with bed roll which inclues 1 blanket, 2 bed sheets, 1 small towel per person This wont be crowded like Sleeper Class(SL) which is non-AC. You will mostly find city indians here... This is best comfortable option to travel thru IR. I personally use this whenever I travl

Dec 2nd, 2004, 17:20	#3
ddutta Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: kolkata Posts: 803	I think this thread will help you Knowing the Indian Train

Dec 2nd, 2004, 17:27	#4
jarman_ah Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 373	There's really very little difference between 3AC and the much-more-expensive 2AC, especially if you specify, when booking, that you'd like either SL (side lower) or SU (side upper). In this case, you are sharing your section with only one other person (same as 2AC), and you will be lying the same way that the train is going, which means that the rocking will have much the same effect as a baby's cradle and you'll sleep well. Really, the only thing you WON'T get in these seats that you'd get in 2AC is the privacy curtain, so 3AC people sleep in their clothes and 2AC people bring nightwear. When we were in India we travelled in just about all the classes: 1st non-air-cond, coach class, "sleeper class", 2AC, and 3AC. The 3AC was the best option, dollar for dollar.

Dec 2nd, 2004, 18:15	#5
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	Nice post Jarman ah I'll just add one tiny remark, one other advantage of 2AC over 3AC is space during the day. 2AC has only four people in the inside compartment this means a little more space to stretch out and more space for your luggage. Just a little thing but I thought it worth mentioning!! Other than that 3AC is probably better value for money in terms of AC travel in India!! Happy Traveling

Dec 2nd, 2004, 18:25	#6
bansuri Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Quebec Posts: 5	I don't know, I found there to be very little difference between 3ac and sleeper, except the blankets (in 3ac) and the fact that you can actually see out the windows in sleeper. I also found that the people in sleeper were generally more polite. Unless you are travelling during an extremely hot time of year I wouldn't waste money on AC.

Dec 3rd, 2004, 10:10	#8
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	Fresh off a first class non-AC train from Bikaner to Delhi, I'd like to add that it's a lovely option (although not as common it seems). I lucked out on sharing a coupe (just 2 beds) with one other lady and it was a really pleasant journey

Dec 3rd, 2004, 18:40	#11
Jamie11 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 195	thanks for the info.

Dec 4th, 2004, 20:28	#13
swami upanunda Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 19	I think 3AC is a bit too expensive. I travelled in 3AC for the first time this trip, and it was quite enjoyable. But I don't think you can beat Sleeper class. What do people go to India for these days ?? What's wrong with actually being with people. It's much more of a cultural experience in sleeper, everybody becomes family after a short while, and it's really fun to watch the circus around you.

Dec 4th, 2004, 20:36	#14
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	True but you can have exactly the same in 3AC, just because they are slightly better heeled in 3AC doesn't make them unapproachable or Indeed unfriendly. Some of the most interesting travel mates I had were in 3AC I mean wouldn't you like to share a compartment with beach or shimla??? I've had good times in both classes up to about 24 hours I travel 2nd class, after that I like 3AC, for the space and for the cleanliness, not of the carriage itself but because the windows are sealed, I've done a couple of 35 hour journeys in sleeper class I was filthy from the dust coming through the windows!! Combined with how hot it can get in South India it made for a pretty uncomfortable journey!! Just my opinion

Dec 5th, 2004, 05:54	#15
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,243	>>I've done a couple of 35 hour journeys in sleeper class I was filthy from the dust coming through the windows!!<< Think of what it was like when the trains ran on coal, CH! You'd have coal smuts in your hair, and smudges on your face! Ah, but the showers in the ladies' waiting room at the stations were free then, and I used them often ... even before going off to my hotel!

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