Indian Railways offers various travel classes on their coaches. Depending upon their travel class, the passenger cars feature different seating arrangements or berths subject to availability.
The following table lists combinations of class-accommodations in normal operation.
| Class[1] | Description[2][3] | | Saloon | IR has started to operate saloon coaches to give hotel ambience on trains. These coaches operate on charter basis i.e. booking is required. These have a master bedroom, one normal bedroom, one kitchen and window trailing. Four to six extra beds are given to accommodate more people.[4] First of these coach was attached to Jammu Mail.[5] |
| 1A | AC first class: The most luxurious and expensive class of Indian Railways, with fares almost at par with airfares. There are eight cabins (including two coupes) in full AC first class coach and three cabins (including one coupe) in the half AC first class coach. The coach has an attendant, and bedding is included in the fare. This air-conditioned coach, present only on popular routes, can carry 18 (full coach) or 10 passengers (half coach). |
| 2A | AC two tier: These air-conditioned coaches have sleeping berths across eight bays. Berths are usually arranged in two tiers in bays of six: four across the width of the coach and two lengthwise across the corridor, with curtains along the corridor. Bedding is included in the fare. A coach can carry 48 (full coach) or 20 passengers (half coach). |
| 3A | AC three tier: Air-conditioned coaches with 64 sleeping berths. Berths are similar to 2A, but with three tiers across the width and two lengthwise for eight bays of eight. They are slightly less well-appointed, usually with no reading lights or curtains. Bedding is included in the fare. |
| 3E | AC three tier (economy): Air-conditioned coaches with sleeping berths on the Garib Rath Express. Berths are usually arranged as in 3A, but with three tiers across the width and three llengthwise. Appointments are similar to 3A, and bedding is not included. These coaches are also present in some Duronto Express trains as well. |
| Vistadome | IR operates Vistadome glass roof coaches on some tourist routes. These include Araku Valley, Konkan railway, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Kashmir Valley, Kangra Valley and Neral-Matheran route. These coaches fare are equivalent to AC Executive Chair Car. IR also has plans to start Vistadome on Nilgiri mountain railway.[6] |
| EA | Anubhuthi: Air-conditioned top-end class of Shatabdi Express. These coaches were introduced in January 2018. First train to get these coaches is Chennai Central–Mysuru Shatabdi Express |
| EC | Executive chair car: An air-conditioned coach with spacious seats and legroom. With four seats in a row, it is used for intercity day travel and is available on the Tejas and Shatabdi Express. |
| CC | AC chair car: An air-conditioned coach with five seats in a row, used for intercity day travel. Air-conditioned double-deck coaches are used on the Double Decker Express. |
| SL | Sleeper class: The sleeper class is the most common coach on IR, with ten or more SL coaches attached to a train rake. They are sleeping coaches with three berths across the width and two lengthwise, without air-conditioning. They carry 72 passengers per coach. |
| 2S | Second seater: similar to CC, without air-conditioning. Double-deck second seaters are used on the Flying Ranee. |
| UR/GEN | Unreserved/General: The least-expensive accommodation, with a seat not guaranteed. Tickets are valid on any train on a route if used within 24 hours of purchase. |
Seater trains have no berths.
1. ^{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrail.gov.in/class_Code.html|title=Accommodation Classes in Indian Railways|publisher=Indian Railways|accessdate=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426000003/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/class_Code.html|archive-date=26 April 2017|dead-url=no}}
2. ^{{cite web| title = General Information on travelling by IR|work=IRFCA.org| url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-travel.html| accessdate =3 June 2007|publisher=Indian Railways Fan Club}}
3. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.indiarail.co.uk/indrail.htm |title=Class of Travel |accessdate=3 June 2007 |work=indiarail.co.uk |publisher=S.D. Enterprises Ltd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513200442/http://www.indiarail.co.uk/indrail.htm |archive-date=13 May 2007 |dead-url=no }}
4. ^[https://www.indianluxurytrains.com/home-on-wheels/ Saloon Coaches]
5. ^ [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/ready-to-shell-out-more-now-you-can-travel-in-railways-luxury-saloons/jammu-mail/slideshow/63554248.cms Saloon attached to Jammu Mail]
6. ^ [https://www.nyoooz.com/news/chennai/858438/icf-to-design-airconditioned-coach-for-nilgiri-mountain-railway/ Vistadome on Nilgiri Mountain Railway]