Hey there, fellow travelers!
If you’ve ever taken a long train ride across India, especially in sleeper class or 3AC & its a middle berth, you know it’s not just a journey – it’s an experience. Recently, I traveled from Bengaluru to Kolkata – a whopping 32-hour journey – and I had the pleasure of being assigned the middle berth. Yep, not the cozy upper berth or the easy-access lower berth, but that in-between spot with its own set of rules and surprises. Let me tell you what it’s really like!
The Mysterious Middle Berth!
So, what’s the deal with the middle berth?
Well, in Indian trains, there are three bunks stacked one above the other – lower, middle, and upper. During the night, all berths are used for sleeping. But come morning? There’s a little rule not everyone knows about: the middle berth must be folded back down. Why? Because the lower berth becomes the official seat for everyone during the day.
That means, no matter how sleepy or lazy you’re feeling, if you’re on the middle berth – you have to get up, disassemble your bed, and sit like everyone else on the lower berth. There’s no sleeping in or stretching out unless you’re lucky enough to have the upper berth.
Daytime Struggles: Nap? Not So Fast!
Here’s where it gets real. Imagine it’s noon, the sun is high, the train is slowly rolling through dusty little towns, and you’ve eaten your lunch of biryani or whatever you managed to grab at the last station. You’re full. You’re tired. You want a nap.
But guess what? No bed for you!
Your middle berth is now folded up and locked in place. Someone else (or maybe multiple people) are sitting on the lower berth. So unless you’ve made a new best friend who offers their seat, your only choice is to sit. No lying down, no stretching, no snoozing. Just sit and wait till evening.
Meanwhile, On the Upper Berth…
While you’re sitting there trying to find the least uncomfortable position, you glance up at the upper berth folks. And what do you see?
They’re chilling. Sleeping. Reading. Napping on and off. Their berth stays intact the whole time. No rules, no folding, no sharing. It’s like a little piece of uninterrupted heaven up there.
Read out: Food episodes in Indian railway.
At that point, you realize – middle berth is like the middle child of Indian Railways. Not quite independent like the upper one, and not grounded like the lower one. You’re stuck in the middle, literally and emotionally.
A Lesson in Patience (and Posture)
I won’t lie – 32 hours on a middle berth teaches you a lot. You learn how to adjust, how to fold your bed like a pro, how to grab a seat early on the lower berth before someone else takes it, and most importantly – how to survive with very little personal space during the day.
But in the middle of all this, there’s something beautiful too – the constant movement, the chai-wala calling out, the scenery changing slowly outside, random conversations with fellow passengers, and the shared experience of long-distance train travel in India.
Final Thoughts
If you ever get a middle berth on a long train journey, just be prepared: your bed is not really yours for the full 24 hours. Come day, it’s public space. And your dreams of a lazy nap? Might need to wait until nightfall.
Still, it’s all part of the adventure. And honestly, that’s what makes Indian train journeys so unforgettable.
Happy traveling – and may your next berth be an upper one! 😉
I have posted travel journey with sleeper class train journey too earlier.
Have you had a middle berth journey before? Share your story below – I’d love to hear your train tales!
What do you think?