The class codes at a glance
| Code | Name | Seating | Air-conditioned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | First AC | Sleeping | Yes | Private cabins with the most space and the highest fares |
| 2A | AC 2-Tier | Sleeping | Yes | Berths in bays of four plus two side berths, with curtains for privacy |
| 3A | AC 3-Tier | Sleeping | Yes | Three-tier bays with more berths per coach, so fares are lower than 2A |
| 3E | AC 3 Economy | Sleeping | Yes | Like 3A but with more berths and lower fares; bedding arrangements vary |
| SL | Sleeper | Sleeping | No | The cheapest sleeping class, with open windows and fans |
| CC | AC Chair Car | Seats | Yes | Common on daytime intercity trains |
| EC | Executive Chair Car | Seats | Yes | Wider seats and more legroom, found on Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains |
| 2S | Second Sitting | Seats | No | Reserved seats in a non-AC coach |
You may also see FC (First Class, non-AC, now rare), EA (Anubhuti executive chair car) and EV (Vistadome coach) on a small number of trains. UR or GEN means unreserved general travel with no reservation.
Coach letters on your ticket
Your coach number starts with a letter that hints at the class. Commonly, S is a sleeper coach (S1, S2...), B is 3A, A is 2A, H is 1A, C is a chair car and E is an executive chair car. Letters and numbers can differ between trains, so always read the coach number on your own ticket.
Which class suits which journey
- Overnight and long journeys: the sleeping classes (SL, 3A, 2A, 1A). Choose by budget and how much comfort and privacy you want.
- Daytime trips of a few hours: CC or EC on trains that have them, or 2S on slower trains.
- Tight budgets: SL or 2S, keeping in mind there is no air-conditioning.
- Family travel with luggage: 3A or 2A usually give a good balance of space and cost.
Class and train type
Which classes you can book depends on the train. Rajdhani trains typically offer 1A, 2A and 3A. Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains offer CC and EC. Garib Rath trains use 3E, and Humsafar trains are all-AC 3-tier. Your train's page on TrainSight lists its classes where we have fare data.
Tatkal and class
Tatkal booking is available in most classes but not in First AC (1A) or Executive Chair Car (EC). See our booking timelines guide for how Tatkal works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 3A and 3E?
Both are three-tier air-conditioned classes. 3E (3 Economy) packs more berths into the coach, so the fare is lower, and bedding arrangements can differ. Which trains offer 3E is decided by the railway.
Is Sleeper (SL) air-conditioned?
No. SL is the non-AC sleeping class. The AC sleeping classes are 3E, 3A, 2A and 1A.
What does CC mean on a train ticket?
CC stands for AC Chair Car, a seated air-conditioned class used mainly on daytime intercity trains.
Official sources
Rules change, so confirm the current details with the official sources.
Related guides
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