Sleeper Class (SL) Coach Layout
A standard Sleeper coach has 72 berths arranged in 8 bays plus side berths at the ends and between bays. Each bay has 6 berths facing each other — 3 on each side (lower, middle, upper). Between bays are 2 side berths (side lower and side upper).
| Bay | Berth numbers | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Bay 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | 1=LB, 2=MB, 3=UB, 4=LB, 5=MB, 6=UB, 7=SL, 8=SU |
| Bay 2 | 9–16 | Same pattern: 9=LB, 10=MB, 11=UB, 12=LB, 13=MB, 14=UB, 15=SL, 16=SU |
| Bay 3 | 17–24 | Same pattern continues |
| … | … | … |
| Bay 8 | 57–64 | Last main bay |
| End side berths | 65–72 | 65=SL, 66=SU, 67=SL, 68=SU, 69=SL, 70=SU, 71=SL, 72=SU |
LB = Lower berth | MB = Middle berth | UB = Upper berth | SL = Side lower | SU = Side upper
Third AC (3A) Coach Layout
3AC follows the same 8-berth bay pattern as Sleeper but with curtained bays, air conditioning, and 64 berths total (same numbering, no extra end berths in many configurations).
- Total berths: 64 (some coaches: 72 in LHB 3AC)
- Same lower/middle/upper pattern per bay
- Curtains on each bay for privacy
- Reading lights, charging points per berth
Second AC (2A) Coach Layout
2AC is more spacious — only 4 berths per bay (lower and upper on each side, no middle berth). Total: 46 berths in a standard 2AC coach.
- Bay 1: berths 1=LB, 2=UB, 3=LB, 4=UB
- Bay 2: berths 5–8, and so on
- Side berths: present at coach ends
- More curtain privacy, bedroll provided
First AC (1A) Coach Layout
- Total berths: 24 in a standard 1A coach
- 2-berth or 4-berth enclosed compartments with locking door
- Only lower and upper berths (no middle, no side)
- Most private class — door can be locked from inside
How to Know Your Exact Berth Location Before Travelling
- Check your e-ticket: Coach number (e.g., S5, B2) and berth number are printed after chart preparation.
- Coach composition chart: Posted at the waiting area at major stations — shows which end of the platform has S1, which has S12.
- Platform spot boards: Each platform has markers (S1, S5, B1, A1, etc.) painted on the ground — stand at your coach number.
- NTES / Where is my train app: Some show coach position details.
Related: Train berth types explained | What S1/35 means in PNR status