Unreserved 2nd class
Second Class (General Compartment)
Around 2 to 4 coaches of this class or category are found in most long distance trains, usually 2 just behind the engine and 2 at the end of the train. It has open plan cars with wooden or padded plastic seats. They are the most crowded and not very well maintained coaches of the train. They have no sleeping facilities and are not recommended for long distance overnight journeys,
You need not make a reservation to travel in second class. Just buy the ticket from the counter at the railway station, even when the train is standing at the platform ready for departure. This may be seen as a boon, but on the downside more often than not there are no seat numbers assigned and even if it's assigned it's not guaranteed that you'll get that seat all for yourself. An empty seat is open for anyone, including you, to occupy!
If you manage to get a seat there is no guarantee that you can hold on to it. You need to "reserve" the seat you occupied by keeping your luggage or any other personal objects on the seat when you go to toilets etc. The facilities are bare minimum,
It's not the most comfortable or best way to travel but quite acceptable for daytime journeys of up to a few hours,
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