Seats in sleeper class on an overnight train?

sophia · Mar 18th, 2006, 10:55

My friend and I just bought tickets on an overnight train, and stupidly we waited for the last minute. The man at the reservation counter told us there were no more berths available, but he could sell us tickets for seats in sleeper class, and it was quite likely we would get a berth anyway. So, on the tickets it has seat numbers, and its definitely for sleeper class, not chair, so what does this mean? How can we have seats and not berths when the numbering is the same for both? Are we going to be forced out of our seats at nine and made to wander the train all night?

steven_ber · Mar 18th, 2006, 11:00

More details needed.

Is there a waitlist number (WL/XX) - please give both (WL/XX - WL/XY)

Is there an RAC number (RAC/XX) - Please give both (RAC/XX - RAC/XY)

Or a combination of the 2 (WL/XX - RAC/XY)

jyotirmoy · Mar 18th, 2006, 11:02

I think what you have got is what is called an RAC ticket. This means you will have a seat but not a berth. If berths are cancelled you may get them depending on what your RAC number.

ddutta · Mar 18th, 2006, 11:06

Seat in sleeper class is possible in case of RAC only. Where you will have a seat (that is side lower seat in most cases ) initially & you will be alloted a berth (sleeper) incase of any cancelation /vacancy. In worst case ie if there is no cancelation/vacancy if will have to continue your journey seating /sharing a sinlgle sleeper with another RAC passenger.You dont have to vacate your seat.

steven_ber · Mar 18th, 2006, 11:08

It is likely that you have RAC tickets, this means Reserved Against Cancellation.

With an RAC ticket you can board the train.

Some (lower) side berths are kept as (2) seats for RAC ticket holders, if someone doesn't turn up for the train at the last minute - one of the RAC ticket holders are given that vacent berth, then the 2 seats are turned into a berth, giving the 2nd RAC ticket holder a berth.

This does mean however, that you are unlikely to have berths next to each other.

EDIT NOTE - Sorry jyotirmoy & ddutta, we seemed to have all been replying at the same time.

sophia · Mar 19th, 2006, 14:42

Thanks for the advice everyone. Yes, we have RAC tickets, and I'm very happy to be able to have some idea what that means before I get on the train.

vsp27759 · Mar 21st, 2006, 10:23

Dear Sophia,
Your observation:-
"My friend and I just bought tickets on an overnight train";
"but he could sell us tickets for seats in sleeper class,"
---------------
@@@Now,if possible, please indicate the following details:-
1) Date of Journey
2) Train Number (**or Name)
2) Starting Station
3) Terminating Station
-----------
V.Srinivasa Prasad
21.3.2006/10.25 hrs.

sophia · Mar 21st, 2006, 14:17

Thanks for your help, but my trip was actually a couple days ago and I got it all sorted out!

Mar 18th, 2006, 10:55	#1
sophia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 10	Seats in sleeper class on an overnight train? My friend and I just bought tickets on an overnight train, and stupidly we waited for the last minute. The man at the reservation counter told us there were no more berths available, but he could sell us tickets for seats in sleeper class, and it was quite likely we would get a berth anyway. So, on the tickets it has seat numbers, and its definitely for sleeper class, not chair, so what does this mean? How can we have seats and not berths when the numbering is the same for both? Are we going to be forced out of our seats at nine and made to wander the train all night?

Mar 18th, 2006, 11:00	#2
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,207	More details needed. Is there a waitlist number (WL/XX) - please give both (WL/XX - WL/XY) Is there an RAC number (RAC/XX) - Please give both (RAC/XX - RAC/XY) Or a combination of the 2 (WL/XX - RAC/XY) __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

Mar 18th, 2006, 11:06	#4
ddutta Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: kolkata Posts: 803	Seat in sleeper class is possible in case of RAC only. Where you will have a seat (that is side lower seat in most cases ) initially & you will be alloted a berth (sleeper) incase of any cancelation /vacancy. In worst case ie if there is no cancelation/vacancy if will have to continue your journey seating /sharing a sinlgle sleeper with another RAC passenger.You dont have to vacate your seat. __________________ "If you smile at me I will understand, because that is something everyone everywhere does in the same language"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
pros and cons of sleeper class train travel	dessy	Indian Railways	34	Nov 23rd, 2005 00:12
Seats numbers - sleeper class	kailash35	Indian Railways	4	Nov 3rd, 2005 12:47
AC class vs sleeper class	michaelb77	Indian Railways	27	Oct 28th, 2004 23:57
Cleanness in Sleeper class	Manicek	Indian Railways	13	Oct 5th, 2003 05:15
'Woes of Sleeper Class Travel'	-m2-	Indian Railways	5	May 10th, 2003 00:18

Mar 18th, 2006, 11:02	#3
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,621	I think what you have got is what is called an RAC ticket. This means you will have a seat but not a berth. If berths are cancelled you may get them depending on what your RAC number.

Mar 18th, 2006, 11:08	#5
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,207	It is likely that you have RAC tickets, this means Reserved Against Cancellation. With an RAC ticket you can board the train. Some (lower) side berths are kept as (2) seats for RAC ticket holders, if someone doesn't turn up for the train at the last minute - one of the RAC ticket holders are given that vacent berth, then the 2 seats are turned into a berth, giving the 2nd RAC ticket holder a berth. This does mean however, that you are unlikely to have berths next to each other. EDIT NOTE - Sorry jyotirmoy & ddutta, we seemed to have all been replying at the same time.

Mar 19th, 2006, 14:42	#6
sophia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 10	Thanks for the advice everyone. Yes, we have RAC tickets, and I'm very happy to be able to have some idea what that means before I get on the train.

Mar 21st, 2006, 10:23	#7
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 1,464	Dear Sophia, Your observation:- "My friend and I just bought tickets on an overnight train"; "but he could sell us tickets for seats in sleeper class," --------------- @@@Now,if possible, please indicate the following details:- 1) Date of Journey 2) Train Number (**or Name) 2) Starting Station 3) Terminating Station ----------- V.Srinivasa Prasad 21.3.2006/10.25 hrs.

Mar 21st, 2006, 14:17	#8
sophia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 10	Thanks for your help, but my trip was actually a couple days ago and I got it all sorted out!

User Name		Remember Me?
Password