Berth Count by Coach Type
| Coach type | Code | Berths per coach | Layout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper Class | SL / S1… | 72 berths | 8 bays × 8 berths + 8 side berths |
| Third AC | 3A / B1… | 64 berths | 8 bays × 6 berths + 8 side berths (with curtains) |
| Second AC | 2A / A1… | 48 berths | Semi-enclosed 4-berth bays + 2-berth side cabins |
| First AC | 1A / H1 | 24 berths | 4-berth and 2-berth lockable cabins |
| Chair Car | CC / C1… | 78 seats | 5 seats per row (2+3), reclining seats, no berths |
| Second Sitting | 2S / D1… | 108 seats | 6 seats per bay, non-reclining |
| General / Unreserved | GS / UR | 90+ seats | No reservation — first-come first-served |
Sleeper Coach Layout in Detail
A standard Sleeper coach (SL) has 8–9 main bays, each with 6 berths:
- Lower berth (LB): Ground level, easiest to enter/exit. Also used as seating during day.
- Middle berth (MB): Folds up during the day. Can only be used as sleeping berth after 10 PM.
- Upper berth (UB): Highest, most privacy, but requires climbing. Cannot be used as seating by lower berth passenger.
Plus 4 side-lower and 4 side-upper berths along the corridor wall — narrower than main berths but private.
How Many Coaches Does a Train Have?
A typical Mail/Express train has 20–24 coaches. A Rajdhani has 16–21 coaches (all AC). Total passenger capacity:
- Mail/Express with 10 SL coaches: 720 Sleeper berths
- With 2 × 3AC coaches: +128 berths
- With 2 × 2AC coaches: +96 berths
- Total reserved capacity: ~1,000–1,200 berths (plus unreserved)
Check berth details for your ticket at PNR Alert after chart preparation. See also: Train berth number layout guide