Sleeper Cars in India: What to Expect on Overnight Trains

When you think of traveling across India by train, sleeper cars, the most common and affordable way to travel long distances on Indian Railways. Also known as sleeper class, they’re the backbone of the country’s rail network—used by students, workers, pilgrims, and tourists alike. Unlike first-class or AC coaches, sleeper cars don’t come with air conditioning or private compartments. Instead, you get a bunk bed, a thin mattress, a blanket, and a whole lot of real-life India.

Most sleeper cars have open bays with three tiers of beds—lower, middle, and upper—arranged in rows. The lower berth is the most sought-after because it’s easiest to get in and out of, and you can stretch your legs. The upper berth? That’s where you’ll find the most creative sleepers: people who curl up like spoons, or those who just close their eyes and hope for the best. You’ll share space with families, monks, vendors, and sometimes even a goat or two if you’re on a rural route. It’s not glamorous, but it’s honest. And it’s how most Indians move across the country.

Indian trains, the world’s largest passenger rail system, carrying over 23 million people daily run thousands of sleeper car services every day. From Mumbai to Kolkata, Delhi to Chennai, these trains connect cities, towns, and villages with a rhythm that never stops. You’ll find them on routes that don’t have flights, on journeys that are too long for buses, and on trips where budget matters more than comfort. The train station itself becomes part of the experience—vendors selling chai, samosas, and boiled eggs, announcements in half a dozen languages, and the smell of diesel mixed with incense and sweat.

When you book a sleeper car, you’re not just buying a seat—you’re buying time. Time to watch the countryside change from desert to rice fields. Time to talk to strangers who become friends for a night. Time to sleep under a blanket that’s seen a hundred journeys before yours. You’ll need to bring your own pillowcase, earplugs, and a small lock for your bag. Don’t expect hot water or Wi-Fi. But do expect to see India up close—in a way no luxury hotel or flight ever lets you.

Some travelers avoid sleeper cars because they’ve heard horror stories. Others book them on purpose because they know the truth: the best parts of India aren’t in the five-star resorts. They’re in the crowded aisles, the shared meals, the quiet moments when the train slows down just before dawn. If you’re planning to travel across India, you’ll ride a sleeper car at least once. And when you do, you’ll understand why millions of people choose it—not because they have to, but because it’s the only way to really get there.

Below, you’ll find real stories and tips from people who’ve slept on those bunks, survived the midnight stops, and learned how to make the most of a journey that’s as much about the ride as the destination.