3E in Train Explained: Everything Passengers Need to Know

Indian Railways is continuously striving to make the train journeys comfortable for the passengers, be it through new features, coaches or station developments. A product of this constant improvement is 3E in train or Third AC Company.

Although it has been present for quite some time now, people often have problems with what 3E means on the train. Some confuse it with 3AC coaches, while many wonder how the train interior will be and what will be the price of a 3E berth in the train.

In this blog, we will explain about 3E in train and everything you need to know about this coach.

What is 3E in Train

3E in train stands for Third Air-conditioned Economy Class, a new section of coaches for passengers who like comfortable seats with affordable pricing. It is an interesting blend of the comfort of 3AC coaches and the affordability of the Sleeper trains.

3E train coaches have higher seating facilities and lower fares than a conventional 3AC train coach. It also provides air-conditioning which is not available for Sleeper trains.

Indian Railways understood the problem of the passengers, where the Sleeper coaches were so much in demand that it was impossible to get a Sleeper train ticket close to the train’s departure. Moreover, 3AC coaches were too costly for everyone to afford it. Railways launched the 3E coaches to bridge this gap in train seats.

Nowadays, most of the 3E coaches are built on the safer, lighter and much more durable LHB (Link Hofmann Busch) platform, instead of the earlier ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches.

Features of 3E Coach in Train

Here are some of the features introduced by the Indian Railways in 3E coaches:

• Each berth in 3E coaches is equipped with their own Air-Condition Vents.
• Individual lamp for every passenger.
• Each berth is equipped with standard electrical sockets as well as USB ports.
• 83 berths per coach. This is higher than 72 berths present in 3AC coaches.
• Foldable snack tables
• Bottle Holders and special pouches for magazines
• Foot operated washrooms with bio-vacuum toilets
• Luminescent glow in the dark foot strips for better navigation during the night
• Fire-proof berths, smoke detectors and CCTV cameras.
• There are no curtains in 3E coaches

How to Check Seat Availability for 3E Coach

You can easily check seat availability for 3E coaches, using the RailMitra platform. RailMitra can be accessed through the website (RailMitra.com) as well as the train application available in Android as well as iOS.

Just follow these steps:

1. Go to RailMitra.com or install the application
2. Select Train Seat Availability option.
3. Enter Train No./Name, From Station, To Station, Boarding Date and Select Class.
4. Hit Get Seat Availability.

All the seats available for the train and other entered options will be shown on your screen.

Difference between 3E and 3AC in Train

Passengers are often confused between 3E and 3AC in train. Here, we present the main difference between 3E and 3AC in train:

Seating Arrangement for 3E in Train

Each compartment for 3E in train consists of two parts: Main Bay and Side Bay.

• Main Bay: It consists of three types of berth: Upper, Middle and Lower. A lower berth is the most preferred choice as it provides the Window seat. The upper berth is best for those who like isolation and quiet. Middle berth passengers need to fold up their seats in the morning with sleeping allowed only in the night time.
• Side Bay: It consists of two or three types of berth, depending upon the age of the coach. Modern coaches consist of only two Side Bay coaches, i.e., Side Upper and Side Lower. In some old coaches you can find a Side Middle Berth as well. Side Bay is very common with passengers who got a Reservation Against Reservation (RAC) status.

Side Lower Berth can be found in some of the older trains with 3E coaches. However, this seat has been discontinued in modern trains as passengers reported that this was too compact to travel comfortably.

Passengers who have booked their ticket with the Indian Railways and want to check the Seat they got, can do so using the PNR Status check service. This service also provides booking status, PNR prediction chances as well as whether the chart has been prepared or not.

How to Book Food for 3E Coach in Train

You can easily book food in train for 3E Coach through RailMitra website or app which is available on both Android and IOS. Just follow these simple steps:

1. 1. Go to RailMitra.com or install the application.
   2. Select Food in train options
   3. You can order via any of the two methods: PNR Method or Train No. method.
      1. PNR Method: Enter 10 digit PNR Number and click Order Now.
      2. Train No. method: Enter Train Name/ Number, Enter Boarding Date and click on Order Now. Enter the Boarding Station.
   4. Select the station where you want to receive your food on train at.
   5. Select the restaurant and add meals to your Cart.
   6. Click on View Cart and Proceed.
   7. Enter Customer Details and Payment Options.
   8. Apply Coupon Codes (if any).
   9. Hit Place Order.

Your hot and delicious food in train for 3E Coach would be delivered at your train seat via RailMitra.

Ticket Price for 3E Coach

In this section we discuss the price of 3E coaches in trains. To provide a clear picture we have presented some trains with 3E coaches, the distance they travel, 3E ticket price and then 3E ticket price per kilometre.

As you can clearly see, for the majority of the trains, the train fare for 3E in train comes out to be around ₹ 1 /km. This is clearly affordable, considering this is the fare for air-conditioned coaches and not sleeper trains. 3E in train was brought by the Indian Railways to provide passengers with a pocket-friendly option and this clearly is light on the pocket.

If you want to check the different stations that a train stops at, you can use the train schedule service. This service will also provide the approximate Arrival and Departure time for these stations.

Pros and Cons of 3E in Train

There is nothing in this world that does not have a positive and a negative side. To make a fare evaluation of any entity, it is important to look at the Pros and Cons both and then make the judicious decision. 3E coaches in train are no different. So, let’s compare the Pros and Cons of the 3E Coach in train.

Pros of 3E in train

• Passengers get to enjoy the facilities of air-conditioning at the price of a Sleeper coach.
• 3E coaches in trains have higher number of berths, making ticket availability chances higher
• Amenities are better than 3AC Coaches with berthwise AC vents and lamp

Cons of 3E in train

• While there are a higher number of berths, the seats are often too compact. 
• Passages are narrower making it difficult to pass through a crowded aisle. If you have big luggages you might have to struggle a bit.
• Even the head space between the Upper berth and middle berth, as well as Middle and Upper berth is compactor than 3EC coaches.

Conclusion

3E in train represents a novel initiative by the Indian Railways to provide better facilities to the passengers without spooking the cost too much. Many passengers used to choose the Sleeper coaches as the AC coaches were just too costly. They are now moving towards the better 3E coaches in trains.

If you are planning to travel on trains and are looking for budget-friendly travel options, 3E coaches might be the best option for you.

FAQs for 3E in Train

Q: What is a 3E coach in a train?
A: 3E coach in a train refers to a class of AC coaches, which has the facilities of AC at a price close to the Sleeper coach.

Q: Is 3E a seater or sleeper?
A: 3E is a seater coach with Upper, Middle, Lower, Side Upper and Side Lower berths.

Q: Can we sleep in 3E class?
A: Yes, you can sleep in 3E class.

Q: Is 3E coach air-conditioned?
A: Yes, 3E coach is air-conditioned.

Q: What is the difference between 3E and 3AC coach?
A: 3E is cheaper with higher number of berths per coach. 3AC is costlier with spacious berths.

Q: How many berths are there in a 3E coach?
A: There are 81-83 berths in a 3E coach. 3AC coach has 72 berths.

Q: Are blankets and bedding provided in 3E coach?
A: Blankets and bedding are provided in 3E coach for most of the trains. However, few trains may demand extra charges for them.

Q: Is 3E cheaper than 3AC?
A: Yes, 3E is cheaper than 3AC.

Q: Is food included in 3E coach fare?
A: Depends on the train, however for most of the trains food is not included in the 3E coach fare.