Sold out trains still sell standing tickets, which let you pick seats if available. I’ve seen old ladies choose to stand so they can all be in a group.
Also sometimes they’re not totally sold out, but you’ll be choosing between a standing ticket and an expensive first-class ticket or hard seat and soft-sleeper for a slow train.
Trains being sold out days before is not a good sign, it means people are missing their appointments
It means they need to run more, longer trains.
Sold out trains still sell standing tickets, which let you pick seats if available. I’ve seen old ladies choose to stand so they can all be in a group.
Also sometimes they’re not totally sold out, but you’ll be choosing between a standing ticket and an expensive first-class ticket or hard seat and soft-sleeper for a slow train.