Double Decker Trains in India: Routes, Seating and Fares

Double decker trains carry passengers on two levels, seating roughly twice as many people per coach as an ordinary chair car. Indian Railways runs them on short and medium-distance routes between busy city pairs. This guide covers how the seating works, which deck to choose, the routes they run on, fares and booking.

How the Seating Works

This is what people most want to understand before booking, and it is not obvious from the seat map.

A double decker coach has three seating areas, not two:

Total capacity is around 120 seats per coach, against roughly 70 to 80 in a standard AC chair car.

Upper Deck or Lower Deck: Which to Choose

Seat allocation is automatic, but if you have a preference it is worth knowing the trade-offs.

Practical advice. Choose the lower deck if you are travelling with elderly passengers, small children or heavy luggage, since the steps to the upper deck are narrow and awkward with bags. Choose the upper deck if you want the view, particularly on scenic routes. Tall passengers often find the upper deck window seats cramped, because the roof curves down at the sides.

Where Double Decker Trains Run

Services operate on short and medium-distance city pairs where demand is high but journeys are completed within a day. Routes that have carried double decker services include:

Check before you plan. Services have been introduced, withdrawn and converted to other train types over the years, and running days vary between routes with several operating only on selected days. Confirm your train on live running status or IRCTC before booking travel around it.

Notable Routes

Jaipur to Delhi is among the best used, running daily and taking around four and a half hours, popular with both business travellers and tourists.

Mumbai to Goa covers roughly 750 km along the Konkan Railway, which makes it one of the longest double decker runs and among the most scenic, passing through tunnels, over viaducts and beside the coast.

Chennai to Bengaluru connects two major southern cities in under six hours on a heavily travelled corridor.

What About Kerala?

Double decker services for Kerala have been discussed and proposed over the years, but no double decker train currently operates in the state. Proposals have faced practical obstacles, and Kerala’s rail corridors are served instead by conventional express services and, more recently, by Vande Bharat.

UDAY Express: The Newer Version

UDAY stands for Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri Express, an upgraded generation of double decker introduced from 2018.

Facilities On Board

• Air conditioning throughout on modern services.
• Large windows, which is where the upper deck earns its appeal.
• Bio-vacuum toilets on newer rakes, using less water and blocking less often. See our bio-toilets guide.
• Fire and smoke detection systems.
• Charging points at seats.
• Overhead luggage racks, though space is tighter than in conventional coaches.
• On-board catering and e-catering on most services.

Luggage is the real limitation. Double decker coaches have noticeably less luggage space than ordinary chair cars, because the bi-level design uses the volume that would otherwise go to racks. If you are carrying large suitcases, this is worth factoring in.

Fare and Booking

• Fares are typically lower than a comparable AC Chair Car on the same route, since more seats spread the cost.
• Book through IRCTC or at a reservation counter, up to 60 days in advance.
• All seats are reserved, with no unreserved travel.
• Some services use dynamic pricing, so booking early costs less.

See our train fare guide for how fares are calculated.

History

Double decker coaches are not new to India. Non-AC double decker services ran from the late 1970s, with the Flying Ranee between Mumbai and Surat among the best known.

The modern era began on 1 October 2011, when the Howrah to Dhanbad service became the first fully air-conditioned double decker express, using stainless steel LHB coaches. Further routes followed through the decade, and the UDAY Express generation arrived from 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions

✅ How many seats does a double decker coach have?

Around 120, spread across the lower deck, upper deck and a mezzanine section, against roughly 70 to 80 in a standard AC chair car.

✅ Is the upper or lower deck better?

The upper deck has better views but less headroom and steps to climb. The lower deck is easier with luggage, children or elderly passengers, and gives a steadier ride.

✅ Do double decker trains have sleeper berths?

No. They are seated day trains with chair car accommodation only.

✅ Which was India’s first double decker train?

Non-AC double decker services ran from the 1970s. The Howrah to Dhanbad service became the first fully air-conditioned double decker express in October 2011.

✅ Are double decker trains cheaper?

Generally yes, fares tend to be lower than a comparable AC Chair Car on the same route, since the higher seating capacity spreads costs.

✅ Is there a double decker train in Kerala?

No. Services have been proposed but none currently operates in the state.

✅ What is UDAY Express?

Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri Express, an upgraded double decker introduced from 2018 with higher capacity and better amenities.

✅ Can I choose my deck when booking?

Seats are allotted automatically. You can note a preference, though nothing is guaranteed.

Quick Summary

Double decker trains are a good choice on short intercity runs, particularly if you want a cheaper seat than a conventional chair car and do not mind travelling light. Pick the lower deck if luggage or mobility is a factor, the upper deck if you want the view. For more, see our guides on the Deccan Queen Express, Shatabdi Express and train fares.

Have you travelled on a double decker train? Tell us in the comments which deck you were on and how it compared.