India has one of the biggest networks of railway lines in the world. Overcrowded suburban trains with people sitting on the roof and hanging on the side, is a wrong image created by media.Trains in India are one of the safest, cheap and comfortable ways of travel.
There are several types of trains in India: Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Duronto Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, Garib Rath Express, Mail/Express Trains, Fast Passenger Trains and Passenger Trains.
Rajdhani Express trains are fast, long distance, overnight trains, having only AC sleeper accommodation. The trains run between national capital New Delhi and the other state capitals (Mumbai, Kolkata, etc). Breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner is included in the ticket price and the food is served at the passenger’s seat during travel. Indian Railways consider Rajdhani Express prestigious train.
Shatabdi Express are fast, daytime intercity trains running over short distances 200 to 800 km (124 to 497 mi), Delhi to Jaipur, Agra, Chandigarh, etc. Indian Railways consider Shatabdi Express prestigious train. The trains are fully air-conditioned. Food is included in the fare and is served at passenger’s seat. There are no restaurant or buffet cars on Indian Railways.
Duronto Express introduced in 2009 is a fast, long distance, direct train with no intermediate ticketing stops (there are technical halts for change of crew and catering). The trains have characteristic yellow-green livery. The train connects major Indian cities and run faster than Rajdhani Express. Like Shatabdi Express and Rajdhani Express, Dueonto Express includes catering in their fares. However, not all Duronto Express are fully air conditioned.
Jan Shatabdi Express trains are fast daytime intercity trains. There are air conditioned and non-air conditioned sitting accommodation. Jan Shatabdi Express is lower quality than Shatabdi Express. The trains offer two classes of accommodation AC Chair Car and Second Class Sitting.
Garib Rath Express is an air-conditioned, fast, overnight train offering less than two-thirds lower fares. Comparing to air conditioned classes in other trains, the coaches have narrower seats and berths. Distance between each seat or berth is less and there are more seats in coaches comparing to other air-conditioned trains. Garib Rath Express has both sitting and sleeper accommodations, however the passengers are not provided free bedding or food.
Express and Mail are Regular Express rail service of India. Express trains make small number of stops, unlike Passenger train. These trains have both air-conditioned and non-air conditioned carriages, including both sitting and sleeper accommodation. Mail trains are always overnight, usually departing in the night and reaching destination in the morning. Due to reduced amount of mail, most Mail trains have only half an unreserved coach earmarked for the transport for mail.
Fast Passenger trains have only non-airconditioned carriages, including sitting and sometimes sleeper accommodation. They stop at almost all stations on their route.
Passenger trains have only non-airconditioned carriages offering only unreserved sitting (general compartments) accommodation. These trains generally stop at every station on the route.
Indian Railway offers seven classes of travel to choose from. However, they are not present in one train. For example short distance daytime trains don’t have sleeper classes, etc.
AC First (1A) class is found in long distance overnight trains and is the most expensive and comfortable class. It includes lockable four-berth and two-berth (coupe) compartments with washbasin. Sheets, pillows and blankets are provided. At the time of reservation compartments cannot be specified and are allocated by Indian Railways.
AC 2 Tier (2A) class is found in long distance trains. AC2 coaches have open cabins with padded leatherette seats by day, convertible to flat padded bunks at night. Coaches are not divided into separate compartments. Berths are arranged in bays of four on one side of the aisle and two on the other side of the aisle. Each bay has a curtain for privacy and an attendant distributes pillows, sheets and blankets in the evening.
AC 3 Tier (3A) class is found in long distance trains. AC3 has three tiers of bunks (upper, middle and lower) and there are 6 bays on one side of the isle. Sheets, blankets, and pillows are distributed in the evening. AC 3 is more crowded than AC2 and it lacks the privacy curtains and individual berth lights.
AC 3 Tier Economy (3E) class is found in long distance trains Garib Raths and a few Durontos. It is similar to AC 3 Tier but it has 9 berths in a bay.
First Class (FC) are really in use these days. Generally FC consists of non-air-conditioned sleeper coaches with lockable 4-berth and 2-berth compartments. Bedding is not included in the fare.
Sleeper Class (SL) is available in long distance trains. Berths are arranged in the same pattern as AC 3 Tier, but there is no air-conditioning. Bedding is not provided.
AC Executive Chair Car (XC) is found in short distance trains and is only available on some Shatabdi trains. Seats are arranged 2+2 across the car width, food and drinks are included in the fare and is served at passenger’s seat.
AC Chair Car (CC) is available on most daytime intercity trains. It is a comfortable and air-conditioned class. However, the seats are not as wide as XC and are arranged 2+3 across the car width.
Second Class Chair Car (2S) is available on most daytime intercity trains. It is open plan cars with wooden or padded plastic seats, without air-conditioning.
General Compartments (GS) are unreserved, usually overcrowded carriages with wooden bench seats and without air-conditioning.
The train, coach and berth number are always indicated on the ticket. Reservation lists for each long-distance train are posted on the notice board at each station and on the train itself, next to the entrance door.
Trains are cheaper alternatives to the flights and thus can fill up months in advance on popular routes during holiday times. Reservations in advance are recommended.
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