We are considering a tour of India and Sikkim. One part of this tour is traveling overnight on a train with second class AC. We are wondering if anyone has used this method or class of travel. We've read that first class is twice the price. The tour we are considering just offers the second class mode of travel. Any information would be appreciated.

I actually preferred 2AC to 1AC, as the people I met were friendlier - Indians in 1AC seemed to be mostly men traveling alone on business, in 2AC it was mostly families.

There's lots of info, including pix, on Indian trains on www.seat61.com. You may not sleep as well in 2AC, depending on how many stops the train makes, as there is only a curtain between the bunks and the corridor. Take a cable lock so you can secure your luggage to the straps under the bottom seats/bunks. I also took a silk sleep sack (from Dreamsacks).

Take water on board with you. You may want to take food as well although I ate the veggie thali available on board with no ill effects. It certainly wasn't gourmet food, but it was dirt cheap and filling.

Which tour company are you considering? And which train trip?

2AC is fine, and my daughter prefered it when she was there. More women and families, plus more open. We traveled in 1Ac and I found it a bit bit creepy to share our tiny compartment with two strange men.

2nd class AC is fine. As others said it has more people.

Travel agent booked 1AC for Satabdi express from Delhi to Agra (2 hrs), and also 2 hr shatabdi express from Agra to Jhansi on the way to Khajuraho. I'm now considering changing to 2AC. I am female (50+) and will be travelling alone. Which do you think will be more comfortable -in terms of people as well as seats?

CFW - on those trains AC1 will be executive chair class, not a sleeper. Open seating like an airplane. Take a look at the pix on seat61.com to decide whether you want to pay the extra for executive chair class over regular chair class.

CFW, stick with First AC on the Shatabdi Express from/to Delhi and Agra. It is a pleasant experience. As someone mentioned these have Executive seating.

In general, I much prefer 1AC to 2AC, especially for longer journeys.