How to Search Trains Between Stations on ConfirmYatra
Finding the right train for your journey across India is simple with ConfirmYatra. Enter your departure and arrival stations in the search form above, select a travel date, and choose your preferred class. Our database covers over 13,000 Indian Railways trains, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, Duronto, and regional express services. Results show real-time seat availability, fare breakdowns, running days, and estimated journey duration so you can compare options at a glance.
After searching, you can filter by train type, departure time, class, or quota. Once you spot a suitable train, use our seat availability guide to understand confirmation chances, or jump straight to IRCTC to complete your booking. You can also check PNR status after booking to track your waitlist position, or view live train status on the day of travel.
Indian Railways Train Classes Explained
Indian Railways operates seven main travel classes, each offering a different balance of comfort and price. The table below summarises every class you will encounter when searching for trains on ConfirmYatra.
| Class Code | Full Name | Description | Approx Fare Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | First AC | Private two-berth or four-berth cabins with locking doors, individual reading lights, and charging points. Bedding, meals, and attendant service are included on most trains. | ₹2,500 – ₹8,000+ |
| 2A | Second AC | Two-tier air-conditioned sleeper with curtains for privacy. Bedding provided. A popular choice for overnight long-distance travel. | ₹1,200 – ₹4,500 |
| 3A | Third AC | Three-tier air-conditioned sleeper. The most-booked AC class, offering a good balance of comfort and affordability for overnight journeys. | ₹700 – ₹2,800 |
| SL | Sleeper | Non-AC three-tier sleeper. Budget-friendly for long routes; berths convert to seats during the day. Bedding is not provided. | ₹250 – ₹900 |
| CC | AC Chair Car | Air-conditioned seating with rotating chairs. Found on day trains like Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi services. | ₹500 – ₹2,000 |
| EC | Executive Chair Car | Premium air-conditioned seating with wider seats arranged 2+2. Available on Shatabdi and Vande Bharat Express services. Meals included. | ₹1,200 – ₹3,500 |
| 2S | Second Sitting | Unreserved or reserved non-AC seating for short-distance and suburban trains. The most affordable option for day travel. | ₹50 – ₹350 |
Types of Trains in India
Indian Railways runs a diverse fleet of train services. Knowing the differences helps you pick the right balance of speed, comfort, and cost.
Rajdhani Express
Fully air-conditioned premium trains connecting state capitals to New Delhi. Rajdhani services offer meals, bedding, and priority scheduling with fewer stops, making them one of the fastest conventional trains in India.
Shatabdi Express
Day-travel intercity trains with chair-car seating and meals included. Shatabdi trains operate short-to-medium routes and return to their origin the same day.
Vande Bharat Express
India's semi-high-speed, self-propelled train sets capable of 160 km/h. Features include automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, onboard Wi-Fi, and reclining seats. See the full Vande Bharat route and fare guide.
Duronto Express
Non-stop point-to-point trains with no intermediate halts. Available in AC and sleeper classes, Duronto services are ideal when you want the fastest connection and fewer delays.
Garib Rath
Budget-friendly fully air-conditioned trains offering 3A-class travel at reduced fares. A good option for cost-conscious travellers who still want AC comfort on overnight journeys.
Humsafar Express
Modern three-tier AC trains featuring GPS-based passenger information systems, CCTV surveillance, bio-toilets, and improved aesthetics. Humsafar services run on high-demand routes.
Tejas Express
Premium intercity trains operated by IRCTC with onboard entertainment, snacks, and enhanced seating. Some Tejas services offer a travel insurance component as part of the ticket price.
Jan Shatabdi
An affordable variant of the Shatabdi Express with both AC chair car and second sitting options. Ideal for budget day travel between nearby cities.
Superfast Express
Trains maintaining an average speed above 55 km/h. A small superfast surcharge is added to the base fare. These trains cover long-distance routes with limited stops.
Mail / Express
The backbone of Indian Railways, mail and express trains serve thousands of routes with the widest range of classes. They make more stops than Superfast trains and tend to have lower fares.
Tips for Finding the Best Train
- Book early. General-quota reservations open 120 days before departure. Early booking gives you the widest choice of berths and the best confirmation chances. Review the latest IRCTC booking rules and limits for 2026 before you start.
- Compare classes.If 3A is waitlisted, check 2A or SL for the same train — a different class may have available berths.
- Use Tatkal wisely.Tatkal bookings open one day before departure at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC. Read our Tatkal booking tips for confirmed tickets to maximise your chances.
- Try alternate routes.If your preferred train is fully booked, use ConfirmYatra's alternate route finder to discover one-stop connections via a nearby junction.
- Check running status.On the day of travel, verify your train's live running status so you know exactly when to arrive at the station.
- Prefer Vande Bharat or Shatabdi for day trips. Both offer chair-car comfort with meals, shorter journey times, and high punctuality on popular intercity routes.
Booking Quotas in Indian Railways
Indian Railways allocates berths across multiple quotas. When you search on ConfirmYatra, availability is shown for the General quota by default. The table below explains the most common quotas and who can use them.
| Quota Code | Full Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GN | General | The default quota available to all passengers. Opens 120 days before departure and offers the largest pool of berths. |
| TQ | Tatkal | Emergency last-minute quota that opens one day before departure. Higher fares and no refund on cancellation. Limited berths per coach. |
| LD | Ladies | Reserved for female passengers and children under 12 travelling with them. Available on select trains with designated ladies berths. |
| PT | Premium Tatkal | Dynamic-pricing quota where fares increase with demand. No concessions, no cancellation refund. Opens alongside regular Tatkal. |
| HP | Handicapped / Divyaang | For passengers with a valid disability certificate. Lower berths are prioritised, and concession fares apply as per railway rules. |
| SS | Senior Citizen | Concession quota for male passengers aged 60+ and female passengers aged 58+. Lower berths are allotted when available. |
| DF | Defence / Duty Pass | Quota for armed forces personnel travelling on duty. Requires a valid military identity card and concession certificate at the time of booking. |
Understanding quotas can significantly improve your chances of securing a confirmed berth, especially on high-demand routes during festivals and holidays. After booking, remember to check your PNR status regularly to monitor waitlist movement.