Window Or Aisle? Discover The Best Train Seat Preference

By: Swarn Rajhans | onMay 27, 2025

Travelling on trains in India is a beautiful retreat from the crowded and hectic lifestyle outside. Enjoying the beautiful view from your train seat, having deep and engaging conversation with your fellow travellers and relishing delicious food on trains. That is what a train journey is all about.

An important aspect of travelling is ensuring that you have the best seat on the train. However, the choice is not easy. On one hand we have a window seat and on the other we have an aisle seat option. Which option should we choose?

In this blog we are going to answer this age old question. We will delve deep into the importance, types and the process to book your preferred train seat.

Why Train Seat Preference Matters

Your train seat isn’t simply about where you sit, it is much more than that. Your seat determines your comfort level, how your journey would unfold and also about your mood throughout the journey.

Comfort zone: Different seats provide different kinds and levels of comfort. Choose the right train seat that makes your journey comfortable.
Safety needs: Your desire for safety enhances when travelling with family and young kids. When travelling solo, adventure is what most people seek. Thus the seat choice depends upon the companionship and level of safety required for the trip.
Personal requirements: Some seats provide hassle free access to different services on the train while some provide peace and quiet. Choose your seat according to your personal requirement.

One decides their favorite seat on the train based on their personality. If the person is a calm, relaxed one who likes to sit and enjoy the view, a Window seat should be your first choice. If you are a free soul who doesn’t like confined spaces and likes to be unhinged always, Aisle seat is the most appropriate option for you.

Before booking your favorite train seat, do not forget to check the train seat availability service at the RailMitra platform. This service helps you find the number of seats available for booking on any train.

Types of Train Seat in Indian Railways

There are different types of classes in the Indian Railway. Train seats vary according to the classes. As for example

In a 3AC Coach there are pairs of three seats facing each other: Upper, Middle and Lower while in the 2AC coach there are pairs of two seats: Upper and Lower.
In SL, 2AC and 3AC there are Side berths as well: Side Upper and Side Lower.
In CC Coaches there are seats which only provide sitting arrangements. In CC Coaches seats are in the orientation of 3×3 on both sides while EC Coaches have a 2×3 arrangement.
There are two types of seats in 1AC Coaches: Coupes and Cabins. Coupes has only two seats: Upper and Lower. Cabins have 4 seats in a pair of twos, i.e., Upper and Lower. Both the types have a separate door for privacy. No other class has doors.
In General Class there are pairs of 3 seats facing each other. There are two more seats on the side facing each other.
In India, train seats are adjustable. This means that the middle berth is used as a bed during the night time. During the day, the middle berth is brought down and used as the back cushion. This ensures that all passengers could sit properly in the daytime as the space in every berth isn’t that high to accommodate the sitting position.

Broadly, Train Seats or Train berths can be distributed into the following 5 categories:

Upper Berth: This train seat usually means the one at the top. But only during the night time. During the day, Upper Berth is what we mean by the Aisle train seat.
Middle Berth: This is the middle berth found in 3AC or SL coaches. Not available in 2AC or 1AC coaches.
Lower Berth: Available in all the classes and generally refers to the Window Seat.
Side Upper Berth: These are special berths on the sides of SL, 3AC and 2AC bogies. As the name suggests, this is the one on the side and at the top.
Side Lower Berth: This is the side berth which is at the lower level.

The Better Train Seat: Window Or Aisle

Now it is time to address the elephant in the compartment! Which train seat is better: Window or Aisle? Let’s first discuss each seat separately and then present our hypothesis on which is better.

Window Train Seat

If you like peace, the view outside the window and don’t like being disturbed by other passengers, the Window train seat is the pick for you.

Pros:

Privacy: Window Seat allows you solitude to read your favorite book, watch your favorite movie or listen to your favorite song without any disturbance.

Scenic views: Windows seat provides the best view of the outside. You can sit by the window, play your favorite songs and feel like you are in a movie.

Helps in cooling Non-AC Compartments: Window seats in Non-AC bogies are the best possible ventilation solution.

More body support: Window seats provide two types of body support. You can lean on your back as well as one of your sides.

Cons

Disturbs others: Every visit to the toilet, washroom or for any other purpose results in disturbing all the other passengers.

Very limited space: Windows seat makes you restricted to your spot.

Limited leg space: On some trains there might not be enough leg room to stretch. Problem intensifies if you are a person of good height.

Aisle Train Seat

If you prefer accessibility, ease of movement and don’t like disturbing others each time you visit the toilet, Aisle Train Seat is the choice for you.

Pros

Ease of access: Aisle train seat allows you to move freely without disturbing anyone. You can look out for vendors or receive train food delivery with ease.

Social Interaction: At the Aisle seat, you get to be at the heart of the train and can interact with people around you easily.

Comfortability: Aisle seats are comfortable as you can stretch your legs, move out of your seat freely to interact with food vendors, visit the toilet or just walk around the aisle.

Cons

No scenic view: The biggest con for Aisle Train seats is the unavailability of scenic views outside.

Disturbance: Although you won’t disturb anyone at the aisle seat, you yourself can get disturbed very easily with the constant movement of fellow passengers.

Final Verdict: Which is better?

Choosing the best train seat is difficult because the answer depends on the personal choices of the travellers. Whether they crave for peace or for freedom and whether they have an introverted nature or an extroverted persona, helps them decide whether Window Seat is better or Aisle train seat.

Most of the passengers travelling on the train look for a Window Seat. The comfort, the privacy and the stunning view outside is the preferred choice of the majority. However, we shouldn’t discard Aisle Seat just on the basis of popularity.

The choice of the best train seat is deeply subjective and depends on the individual likeness. So, if you are introverted, a quiet soul will look for nothing else than a window seat. However, if you are a people person who likes to interact with others, go for the Aisle Seat.

How to Select Your Preferred Train Seat While Booking

You can easily choose your preferred train seat while booking the ticket. After filling the origin and the final station and date of travel, you would be provided with the option to book the ticket.

When booking, you would be asked to enter the Passenger Details. In those details along with the name, age and ID card of the passenger there would be an option of Berth Preference. In that preference you can select your train seat.

Select Lower Berth for Window seat and Upper Berth for Aisle seat. After booking the ticket do not forget to Check PNR Status as it will provide you with the status of your booking.

Conclusion

Choosing the train seat can make a huge difference in your journey and the satisfaction level you derive from it. I mean, why compromise when you are on your long awaited trip to the favorite travel destination or your hometown?

Pick your desired seat and do not forget to check essential Railway services such as Train Seat Availability and PNR Status Check while booking. RailMitra, your best friend on train travel will always be at your service.