Pakistan Railways Classes Explained: AC Parlour, Business, Economy

Pakistan Railways sells five classes you are likely to see on a long-distance train: AC Sleeper, AC Business, AC Standard (also called AC Lower), AC Parlour and Economy. AC Sleeper is the most private, AC Business is air-conditioned six-berth compartments, AC Standard is air-conditioned open-plan berths, AC Parlour is a seated coach for daytime, and Economy has no air conditioning. Not every train carries every class, so the first step is to check which ones your train has.

This guide to Pakistan Railways classes explained in plain terms covers what each means in practice, how they compare, and how booking and refunds work. It does not list every fare, because fares were revised in 2026 and published tables disagree.

What are the classes on Pakistan Railways?

The descriptions below follow the rail guide Seat61, which lists the classes and their codes.

AC Sleeper

Air-conditioned berths in 2- and 4-berth compartments. It is the most comfortable and private class for an overnight journey, and it is only on some trains. If you are a couple or a small family and want a compartment to yourselves, this is the one to look for.

AC Business

Air-conditioned berths in six-berth compartments. It suits families and groups, and it is the class most travellers choose for an overnight trip between Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Bedding, charging points and meals are often mentioned in descriptions of the class, but whether they are included depends on the train, so check on booking.

AC Standard (AC Lower)

Air-conditioned open-plan berths, without the compartment walls. It costs less than AC Business, and it is the sensible middle option if you want air conditioning on a long summer trip without paying for privacy.

AC Parlour

Air-conditioned open-plan seating, recommended for daytime journeys. It is the choice for a day train such as Lahore to Rawalpindi, and it can be tiring overnight because you sit upright.

Economy

Not air-conditioned. Open-plan seats and berths, and you can pay for either a berth or a seat. It is the cheapest class by a wide margin, and it is the one that gets the hottest and most crowded, especially in summer and around Eid.

How much do the classes cost?

Seat61's sample fares for the Tezgam Express from Karachi to Rawalpindi put AC Sleeper at about Rs 10,000, AC Business at Rs 7,600, AC Standard at Rs 5,700, and Economy at about Rs 3,350 to 3,450. Those are the figures at the time that page was written, so treat them as a ratio rather than a price list: AC Business costs roughly twice Economy, and AC Sleeper about three times.

Fares change. Pakistan Railways revised its fare table in March 2026, according to aggregator sites, and those sites give different figures for the same train. Check the current fare in the official app or at the booking counter, and never use a third-party table as a quote.

Which class should you choose?

• Overnight, family of four to six: AC Business, or AC Sleeper if the train has it.
• Overnight on a budget, with air conditioning: AC Standard.
• Daytime journey: AC Parlour, or Economy for a short hop.
• Summer, with children or older parents: avoid Economy.
• Winter: carry a blanket whatever the class.

Long-distance trains can run late, so allow slack at both ends. Our guide to Karachi to the northern areas by train explains how the train fits into a trip north, and the Khyber Train Safari covers a very different kind of rail trip.

How do you book a Pakistan Railways ticket?

Seats and berths can be reserved up to 90 days ahead, at railway reservation offices, at PRACS offices, or through online e-ticketing (Pakistan Railways FAQ). The official RABTA app and the Pakistan Railways website both sell tickets. You normally sign up with a CNIC number and pay with JazzCash, Easypaisa or a card, and the e-ticket arrives on your phone.

Foreign visitors have a harder time. Seat61 notes that the official site needs a Pakistani national ID and a Pakistan-issued card, so foreign passport holders normally buy through a local agent or at a reservation counter.

Refunds

Pakistan Railways' published policy for computerised tickets is a 90 per cent refund up to 48 hours before departure, 80 per cent between 24 and 48 hours, and 70 per cent within 24 hours. That policy dates from 2011 and covers paper tickets. Refunds for e-tickets go back through the payment service you used and need your original CNIC, and the rules for very late cancellation differ. Check the terms shown at booking.

Is train travel safe?

Most of the network is used daily by Pakistani travellers. The lines to Peshawar and Quetta run through areas where the UK government advises against travel: Peshawar and much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and all of Balochistan (advice updated 22 September 2026). Check local news and Pakistan Railways announcements before you go, since services on these lines are suspended at times. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice, because it can void insurance.

Is the train worth it?

For Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, an AC class on the train is a comfortable and inexpensive way to travel if you like a slow, overnight journey. It is not the fastest, and the north is not on a rail line: you would still need a car, bus or flight beyond Rawalpindi. Our tours cover the Gilgit-Baltistan and Neelum routes if you want the north arranged for you.

Frequently asked questions