The value for money class in Train

It's interesting. In my earlier thread 'Knowing the Indian Train', we have a vote for the prefered class. Second class sleeper is the most prefered with 32% vote. For the next upper class, the 3AC there is a dip (@ 18%). The next higher class, 2AC, again is a sought after with 29% vote. The further higher class, 1AC is low with 14%.

Usually we expect a countinous demand increase/decrease as the class varies. In this case it's not.

I think it's becouse of the value for money of different classes offer. What you people think. Which is the best value for money class??

I dont mean comfort, facilities ete. Just the cost vs gain ratio

AC Two-Tier for overnight; AC Chair Car for day journey.

AC 3-tier when weather is warm
Non-AC 3-tier when its chilly

hm...all overnight...ive never taken a day train journey

The following quote is copied from another post to help people remember the different classes.

I believe Sleeper class is far ahead of all the other classes on a 'value for money' basis, however, It’s not that simple, It depends on many things.

I have no experience of Executive chair class, so can't comment.

Although my preference is Sleeper Class (upper side berth), I have tried to be un-biased with the scores that follow; I know that many will disagree with the scores.


The number in brackets (?) is my opinion of the relevant value for money. (10 = best, 1 = worst)

Sample fares - 1 = Delhi to Jaipur, 2 = Delhi to Mumbai. (not inc. reservation charge)


First Class air-conditioned.

Sample fares - 1 = Rs 1109, 2 = Rs 3188.
Overall - (5)
Journey over 12 hours - (6)
Journey under 12 hours - (4)
Overnight journey - (6)
Daytime journey - (5)
Busy/crowded train - (7)
Quiet train - (3)
Lower berth - (5)
Upper berth - (5)
Coupe (for 2 people) - (6)
Very hot weather - (6)
Acclimatising for trip to north pole - (10)


2 Tier air-con.

Sample fares - 1 = Rs 570, 2 = Rs 1640.
Overall - (7)
Journey over 12 hours - (8)
Journey under 12 hours - (6)
Overnight journey - (8)
Daytime journey - (6)
Busy/crowded train - (7)
Quiet train - (6)
Lower berth - (7)
Upper berth - (8)
Side berth Lower - (6)
Side berth Upper - (6)
Very hot weather - (8)


3 Tier air-con.

Sample fares - 1 = Rs 356, 2 = Rs 1025.
Overall - (8.5)
Journey over 12 hours - (9)
Journey under 12 hours - (8)
Overnight journey - (9)
Daytime journey - (8)
Busy/crowded train - (10)
Quiet train - (7.5)
Lower berth - (7.5)
Middle berth - (7)
Upper berth - (9)
Side berth Lower - (9.5)
Side berth Upper - (10)
Very hot weather - (10)


First Class NOT air-con.

Sample fares - 1 = Rs 416, 2 = Rs 1196.
Overall - (9)
Journey over 12 hours - (10)
Journey under 12 hours - (9)
Overnight journey - (10)
Daytime journey - (7)
(Compartment with 4 berths seats 6 during day & the extra people that use it)
Busy/crowded train - (8)
Quiet train - (8)
Lower berth - (9)
Upper berth - (9)
Very hot weather - (6)
Coupe (for 2 people, 3 during day) - (9.5)


Chair class.

Sample fares - 1 = Rs 277, 2 = Rs 797.
Overall - (7)
Journey over 12 hours - (4) (very rare)
Journey under 12 hours - (7)
Overnight journey - (3) (very rare)
Daytime journey - (7)
Busy/crowded train - (9)
Quiet train - (5)
Window seat - (7)
Aisle seat - (6)
Middle seat - (5)
Very hot weather - (10)


Sleeper Class.

Sample fares - 1 = Rs 127, 2 = Rs 365.
Overall - (10)
Journey over 12 hours - (9)
Journey under 12 hours - (10)
Overnight journey - (10)
Daytime journey Quiet train - (10)
Daytime journey Busy/crowded train - (6)
Lower berth - (8)
Middle berth - (7)
Upper berth - (10)
Side berth Lower - (10)
Side berth Upper - (10)
(Side berths in Sleeper class are only 166 cms. long)
Very hot weather - (6)


Bookable second class seat.

Sample fares - 1 = Rs 80, 2 = Rs 228.
Overall - (7)
Journey over 12 hours - (5)
Journey under 12 hours - (7)
Overnight journey - (4) (very rare)
Daytime journey - (7)
Busy/crowded train - (5)
Quiet train - (6)
Window seat - (7)
Aisle seat - (6)
Middle seat - (5)
Very hot weather - (4)


Unreserved 2nd class.

Sample fares - 1 = Rs 80, 2 = Rs 228.
Overall - (6)
Journey over 12 hours - (4)
Journey under 12 hours - (6)
Overnight journey - (3)
Daytime journey - (6)
Busy/crowded train - (1)
Quiet train - (8)
Window seat - (6)
Aisle seat - (4)
Middle seat - (3)
Floor - (2)
Luggage rack - (1)
None of the above - (0)
Very hot weather - (1)
Finding out how a tinned sardine feels - (10)


All of the above scores are for broad gauge carriages, metre gauge scores may differ.

For uncrowded comfort, security, and relatively clean washrooms 2ac is very good for overnight trips. For most of the same benefits, 3ac is fine at around 2/3 of the cost. For a long trip, part of which is day-time, an upper berth in 3ac gives you the option of lying down and stretching out.

The price difference between SL (non ac 3 tier) and 3ac is quite steep -- typically almost triple, but the ac isn't the main benefit; you are paying for controlled access and a better maintained coach. (space, security, cleanliness). You can assure yourself of some space in SL class by requesting the upper berth.

I haven't tried 1ac ( which is almost double the price of 2ac!). but do like the old non-ac 1st, when available, as it is spacious, comfortable and only a bit more than 3ac.

To give a general idea of the cost differences, the following prices are the mileage charge for a typical 600km overnight trip on a mail or express train:

SL 210rp
3ac 591
2ac 945
1ac 1837

ac Chair Car (CC) would be 460rp for the same distance, but not available on overnight runs.

For me, 3ac is the cost-effective choice (unless non ac 1st available)

Mail/Express & ordinary passenger trains, up to 1000 km.

Mail/Express & ordinary passenger trains, more than 1000 km.

My vote goes to Non AC 3 Tier Sleeper, it gives the best value for the money paid considered we are blind to comfort and privacy. After all, all the excitement in the train journey happens here, as most people travell in this class. I love Non AC 3 Tier Sleeper only if I get a place away from the toilets

Non-AC Sleeper Sleeper Class.
But First Class is really good for long journeys with business or with family (less than four).
For solo or just traveller ideas, Non-AC Sleeper the best.

That rare exception is the 2313 Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, which has one coach of AC Chair Car still operating for the 18hrs. 15 min. journey! The fare is Rs.1120/-.

I hope to travel by it one day, just to relive memories of Chair car travel on the Rajdhani.

Sleeper class is definitely the best when it comes to value. It can get unbelievably hot though, just as the ac cars can get unbelievably cold! If you are on the upper berth of the sleeper class, the fans can actually blow HOT air on you. I also believe the scorching sun can heat up the roof of the train, which makes the upper berth all the more sauna-like. Bring up a cold plastic water bottle and set it down on the berth: in an hour it will be hot, almost beyond drinkable. The material of the berths also makes things extra sticky! Ah, I'm getting nostalgic here!

The benefit of the upper berth is of course privacy any time you want it. Which is quite a lot of times in my case.

Whenever I have used a train it is either going to or from the meditation centre, so going theer it is AC Chair, have to be part of it all, returning to Delhi my preference is First Class AC Coupe with a bundle of chapattis, a pot of honey, a thermos of Chai and my mediation shawl and close down for the journey.

ac 3-tier for me anytime. it is a popular selection. it started in a small way and used to, initially, be available only in select trains/routes. today, it is there in practically all mail/express trains. also, the number of coaches per train is more, likely to increase with time.

Also judging from some of the answers here, what I miss is 2nd Sleeper Class (reserved) in the poll, which would have gotten my vote. Incredibly cheap and more than bearable; if I could travel like that in Europe I wouldn't want to leave it so often (nor opt for the pollution of airplanes or the discomfort of buses).

It's there, it's just been called 'Non AC 3 Tier Sleeper'.

We took AC2 Bangalore/Hospet and it was one of the best value journeys we've undertaken. Only problem are the side berths-not long enough for my 1.8 metre partner. We looked at AC3 and it was a bit difficult for us to get up to the higher bunks at our arthritic time of life! AC2 delivers for us!

We took AC1 Delhi/Agra and it was a waste of money when a lower class would have sufficed for a short trip.