Bangladesh Railway Seat Classes Compared: Which Class Should You Choose in 2026?

Bangladesh Railway offers 9 distinct seat classes, ranging from the luxurious AC Berth at the top to the most economical Shulov at the bottom. Choosing the right class for your journey can make the difference between a comfortable trip and an exhausting one. Here is a complete breakdown.

AC Berth (Code: AC_B) — Top of the range. Air-conditioned sleeping cabins with 4 berths per compartment (2 upper, 2 lower). Bedding, pillows, and blankets provided. Charging points available. Best for: overnight journeys of 6+ hours. Price range: 800–1,100 taka.

Snigdha (Code: SNIGDHA) — Most popular AC class. Reclining push-back seats in air-conditioned coaches. Individual charging points, overhead luggage racks, clean washrooms. Window curtains and reading lights in newer coaches. Best for: daytime journeys of 3–6 hours where you want AC comfort at a reasonable price. Price range: 480–650 taka.

AC Seat (Code: AC_S) — Air-conditioned cabin seating without sleeping facilities. Cushioned seats, climate-controlled. Limited availability. Best for: daytime journeys wanting full AC comfort without sleeping. Price range: 600–900 taka.

First Class Berth (Code: F_BERTH) — Sleeping berths in non-AC private cabin. 4 berths per compartment. No air conditioning. Best for: overnight travel on a budget without AC. Price range: 500–650 taka.

First Class Seat (Code: F_SEAT) — Non-AC cushioned seats in private cabin. More comfortable and private than open coaches. Best for: medium-distance daytime journeys wanting cabin privacy. Price range: 400–500 taka.

First Class Chair (Code: F_CHAIR) — Non-AC open coach with first-class cushioned chairs. Mid-range option. Price range: 350–450 taka.

Shovan Chair (Code: S_CHAIR) — Most widely available class. Non-AC open coach with numbered individual cushioned chair seats. Reserved but no AC or reclining. Available on virtually every intercity train. Best for: budget daytime travel of 3–6 hours. Price range: 100–360 taka.

Shovan (Code: SHOVAN) — Non-AC padded bench seating in open coaches (shared seats, not individually numbered). More affordable but less comfortable on longer journeys. Price range: 85–320 taka.

Shulov — Most economical. Basic wooden or hard bench seating. Available mainly on mail and local trains. Best for lowest-cost short trips. Price range: Lowest.

Recommendation summary: For journeys over 6 hours overnight, book AC Berth. For 4–6 hour daytime journeys, Snigdha is the best value-for-comfort choice. For budget daytime travel, Shovan Chair is the go-to option on intercity express trains.