Indian Railways are the backbone of the transport system. One may look for high class, means AC coach, when he or she is planning for long-distance travel which may take more than a day. Let’s see what are the major difference between 1st AC coach, 2nd AC coach, and 3rd AC coach in terms of facilities offered.
To make things simple I have made a table for all comparisons.
| 1st AC Coach | 2nd AC Coach | 3rd AC Coach | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also known as | First-class air-conditioned coach | Second-tier air-conditioned coach | Third-tier air-conditioned coach |
| Number of Berths | 2 (coupe) or 4 in the Compartment | 2 in the aisle and 4 in the compartment | 2 in the aisle and 6 in the compartment |
| Food | Provided complimentary. | Tea and snacks (maybe) provided complimentarily. | Not provided. |
| Bedding | Pillow, sheets, and blankets are provided complimentary | Pillow, sheets, and blankets are provided complimentary | Pillow, sheets, and blankets are provided complimentary |
| Bathroom | Mostly clean, with a shower, and even toilet paper roll | Fairly clean but lacks shower | May, or, may not be clean, depending on how people use it |
| Fare | Most expensive and very similar to airlines sometimes | Less expensive than 1AC but more than 3AC class | Cheaper in the ACs, but more than non-AC class |
These are the main difference between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd AC coach in Indian railways.
