What are the advantages of the First AC coach in Indian railways?
- The main differences between First AC and other AC Classes on the Indian Railways are privacy and space. There are a total of 18 passengers in a First AC Coach. To revisit the question of space, compare the number of passengers in a First AC coach to the total number of passengers in a coach in the other classes of accommodation:
AC First: 18-24
AC Two Tier: 46-54
AC Three Tier: 64-72
Non-AC First Class (Very rare): 26
Sleeper Class (Non AC): 72-78
Unreserved Second Class: Officially 90, in actuality as many people as can be crammed into the coach! - you can carry a dog in First AC/First Class. Dogs cannot be carried along with you in the coach in any other class. However, the carrying of the dog in First AC is subject to the following conditions:
i. You must have reserved an entire two-berth coupe or four-berth cabin [If you don't have the entire coupe/cabin and other passengers object to the dog, the dog will have to travel in the 'dog box' in the guard's van, which will probably be the most traumatic experience ever for your dog.
ii. You must purchase a luggage ticket for the dog at the luggage booking office. - The ability to keep the door of your cabin/coupe bolted from the inside. No other class (except First Class Non-AC) offers this; even in AC Two Tier and AC Three Tier, the only 'protection' offered is a curtains.
- Thus, for people carrying expensive luggage (For example, if you're a photographer and are carrying all your camera equipment), the door could provide peace of mind.
- Primarily in the Rajdhani Expresses, especially the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Calcutta Rajdhanis. Here, food is prepared personally in the Pantry Car and passengers have much more choice (Unlike the other classes where food is prepared and packaged at intermediate stations and loaded onto the train). However, this is applicable more only to premium trains. Even in normal trains, however, First AC passengers tend to get better service.
- Interaction in First AC is extremely low. Generally, the higher the class, the less the interaction. This can be a plus or a minus depending on your orientation and the purpose of your travel.
