which class to go for

jsme84

hi

I' m looking to get a night train from Delhi to Varanasi over the next few days and undedied on what class to go for.The 3a , 2A or sleepr class.Any info wuld be appreciated!

steven_ber

What's your budget?

What kind of comforts are you used to?

Does traveling in Sleeper Class worry you?

Sleeper Class details & photos.


If you look at the Sleeper Class thread, and in particular the carriage layout and the photos, 3-tier air con is the same as Sleeper Class, but it has 1 less section (1 section = 6 inside berths and 2 side berths), and has air con and sealed windows, 2-tier air con is the same as 3-tier air con, but there are no middle berths in 2-tier air con, 2-tier air con has more space and loads of curtains for more privacy.

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Train information.


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vicke

Hi! I have a similar question. When two adults travel with 1 year old toddler from Mumbai to Kerala, is it wise to choose the 1AC? It´s at least double price compared to 2AC, right? Is it more convenient for toddlers though, since we need some space to change diapers, preferably more room to manouver and preferably a big sink to wash her. Otherwise I ´don´t mind other classes and like to travel with train, but is it even possible to enjoy train travel in 1AC? And is there even more room in 1AC compared to 2AC? Has anyone here traveled in Indian trains with toddlers? I´m little worried if she can sleep in train bunks...

Swapnil

Probably these links will help you out to decide :

http://www.seat61.com/India.htm#classes

http://www.indiamike.com/india-artic...-indian-train/

steven_ber

Hello Vicke and welcome to indiamike.

How long before your train journey will you get to Mumbai?

If you arrive in Mumbai at least one day before the train, book 1A.

Here's the reason, you can't include the child's details in the booking, so there's no way for the railways to know you have a todler with you, so when you get to Mumbai, go to the departure station the day before* and request a 2-berth coupe (you'll have to fill in a request form), and tell them you will be travelling with a BABY, not a todler (don't take the todler along), this way you should get a coupe instead of a 4 berth cabin.

A coupe will be perfect, you can get all your stuff out and just lock the door, so there's no need to put it all away.

There's a whole lot more I could add as I travelled with a 7-month old baby in 1A, however....

*there's no Mumbai-Kerala trains that have 1A, the Rajdhani passes close to Mumbai (Panvel), but that's a 05:00 departure and I can't see you doing that with a 1 year old, and on Thursday only, there's the Kerala Sampark Kranti from Panvel, other than that, no 1A. (Unless you go Mumbai-Goa, then Goa-Kerala)

vicke

Thanks guys for quick answers! The coupe sounds perfect. I´m not sure what time we´ll be in Mumbai but one night there won´t be a problem. But we do have to fly there since the flights from Finland to Mumbai are so cheap right now for some reason. So I should look into trains that have 1AC and if they do, they can arrange coupe? And Mumbai isn´t going to be problem if we change trains at Goa?

steven_ber

Check the following link for Mumbai-Kerala trains.

http://erail.in?T=BCT:Mumbai_Central...ochin_Hrbr_Tms

When you see a train from 'BSR', it will call at Panvel just over 2 hours later.

Also check out Mumbai to Goa, and Goa to Cochin or Trivandrum.

If you change trains in Goa, you'll have to request a coupe again for the next train, and this may not be available as the train will have started it's journey in Delhi.

When are you arriving in Mumbai?

Rainbow Rider

My husband and I took an overnight train trip to Varanasi last month in 2nd AC. There was no 1st AC car on the train. We were fine, but I wouldn't want to take a baby or toddler. There's not enough room for diaper changing and nowhere to get water for washing. Plus, considering the number of roaches crawling on the walls and floors, I just wouldn't feel comfortable with a child along.

steven_ber

Hello RR, although I disagree with your points, it shows that comfort and cleanliness levels are relative, and that we all view these things differently, and your opinions are just as valid as mine.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem taking a baby in Sleeper Class*, yet many people I know wouldn't even consider using Sleeper Class, even without a baby.

*Speaking of babies and Sleeper Class, on many occasions I've seen a sheet tied between 2 upper berths and used as a hammock for a baby, it's so cute.

There's not a lot of difference between 1A and 2A in terms of berth size, or should I say there's more than enough room in 2A, but you need to book ahead when travelling with a baby to ensure you get an upper berth and a lower berth.

The lower berth is 185cms long, and only 2 people sit on it, there's also 185cms of space below the berth for storing things and 182cms of space on the upper berth, if 2 people have the upper and lower berths, they completely control that lower berth, I'd say there's even enough room for 2 adults to sit when a baby is sleeping on the same lower berth.

Also, Indian people will always move if you need to change a diaper, I just wish they wouldn't keep pinching a baby's cheek (quite hard), it's so annoying.

This isn't a problem, and it's the same in 1A, if it's a baby, you'll be using baby wipes, if a toddler, buy bottled water, but not 'cold' water.

There's nothing wrong with using the water from the sinks to wash a baby/toddler, just don't let then put the cloth in their mouth.

The roach problem is worse in air-con classes, but personally, I think we are horrified as tourists, but really the problem isn't that bad, the roaches are kind of cute, and probably harmless.

Mind you, I am the kind of person that sees no harm in a toddler eating mud and worms, and think it would just boost their immune system, so maybe I'm best to not comment on health issues.