3e-Coach in Train

A 3E coach in a train means Third AC Economy Class. Indian Railways introduced the 3E coach in September 2021 for passengers who want to travel in an air-conditioned coach at a more affordable fare. It offers basic AC comfort while generally costing less than a regular 3AC ticket.

In simple terms, 3E falls between Sleeper and 3AC in terms of price and comfort. You get air conditioning, which is not available in Sleeper Class, while paying less than you generally would for a 3AC ticket. This makes 3E a useful option for budget-friendly AC travel, especially on long-distance journeys.

The easiest way to understand 3E vs 3A coach is to compare what you get in each class:

The main considerations when choosing between 3E and 3A coaches are space and price. Both have AC and three-tier berths, but 3E fits more berths into the coach, so the space between berths is smaller.

The 3E coach layout is similar to a standard 3AC coach, with the main difference being that 3E coaches fit more rows of berths within the coach. Here’s everything you should know about the 3E coach layout and seating arrangements:

• Main Bay: Each bay has three levels of berths - lower, middle, and upper - on both sides. This gives six berths in each main bay.

• Side Bay: There are two more berths along the corridor - one side lower and one side upper.

• More Rows: A 3E coach has more berth rows along its length than a regular 3AC coach. An LHB 3AC coach has around 18 rows, while a 3E coach has 21. This is possible because the coaches are reengineered to use the available space more efficiently. 

A standard LHB 3AC coach generally has 72 berths, while a 3E coach was originally designed with 83 berths. However, most 3E AC coaches today have 80 berths available for booking, as berths 81, 82 and 83 are now used for storing bed linen.

Although 3E is called an "Economy" class, it comes with several facilities found in other AC coaches to make your journey comfortable:

• Fully air-conditioned coach with individual AC vents for each berth
• Bedding roll with two bed sheets, one blanket, and one pillow
• Mobile and laptop charging points
• Individual reading lights
• LED coach lighting
• Foldable snack tables
• Bottle holders
• Pressurised flush toilets
• Accessible toilet doors for passengers with disabilities
• CCTV surveillance
• Smoke and fire detection system
• Wider entrance doors for easier access

The 3E coach fare is generally lower than 3AC, but the price difference is not fixed. The actual price of a ticket in the 3E coach in a train depends on the train, route, travel distance, booking quota, and other applicable charges. 

To give you an idea of 3E coach fares, here are the fares for a few trains and routes and how they compare to 3AC fares:

*Note: The fares mentioned above are examples only. Actual 3E coach and 3AC fares can change based on the route, travel date, quota, train and applicable railway charges. Check the current fare on redRail while booking your ticket.

You can book a 3E AC coach ticket online through redRail app. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Open the redRail app or visit the redBus website and click on redRail.

Step 2: Enter your source and destination stations, along with the travel date. Click on ‘Search Trains’.

Step 3: Choose ‘Third AC Economy’ from the Ticket Class filter to see all trains that have 3E coaches.

Step 4: Select a preferred train with a 3E coach based on fare, departing/arrival timings, and reservation type.

Step 5: Enter your IRCTC username and other passenger details.

Step 6: Complete the payment using UPI, netbanking, or credit/debit cards to confirm your booking.

You can also book 3E coach tickets at the passenger reservation counter at the railway station. However, seats may fill up quickly, so booking in advance through redRail can help you get your preferred train and berth.

For tickets in 3E coaches in trains, Indian Railways follows the same cancellation rules as 3AC and AC Chair Car tickets. Cancellation charges and the refund you get depend on how early you cancel your 3E coach ticket. 

If you cancel a confirmed 3E ticket:

• More than 48 hours before departure: ₹180 + GST is deducted per passenger.

• 48 to 12 hours before departure: 25% of the fare + GST is deducted, subject to the minimum cancellation charge.

• 12 to 4 hours before departure: 50% of the fare + GST is deducted, subject to the minimum cancellation charge.

• Less than 4 hours before departure: No refund if you fail to cancel the ticket or file an online TDR up to 4 hours before the train’s departure.

Different conditions apply to RAC, waitlisted and Tatkal tickets. In particular, IRCTC states that confirmed Tatkal tickets do not normally receive a refund when voluntarily cancelled.

The first 3E coach in a train was introduced in September 2021 on the Prayagraj-Jaipur special train. Since then, these coaches have been added to more trains across different railway zones. 

Here are some trains that have 3E coaches:

• 12367/12368 Vikramshila Express 

• 12430/12429 Delhi to Lucknow AC Express

• 13189/13190 Sealdah-Balurghat Express 

• 13071/13072 Howrah-Jamalpur Express 

• 12821/12822 Dhauli Express 

• 12854/ 12853 Amarkantak Express 

Indian Railways can change 3E coaches in trains depending on the addition of special trains, route demand, etc. That’s why it’s best to always check 3E coach availability on your travel date on redRail and then book your tickets through the platform.