How to check train time and fares withing Russia:

Check online timetable at http://bahn.hafas.de (in English, German, Dutch, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish,  Danish and Polish). However it is an automatic system giving sometimes strange connections in the middle of the night or offering too many interchange stations while in reality it is possible to change trains only ones. You can also check the timetable and official fares yourself at http://www.eng.rzd.ru, the website the Russian railways.

Remember to check the days of running of your train, as not all long-distance services run daily.  Look for trains described as 'firmeny', which is the top quality category of long-distance fast train, with the most modern coaches and a high standard of on board service. Usually ‘firmeny’ trains have names like ‘Krasnaya Strela’ (Red Arrow), “Rossija” and etc. Most Russian long-distance trains have a restaurant car serving inexpensive meals, snacks and drinks.

Train time in Russia

The whole Russian rail network covering eight time zones runs on Moscow time and this is the only way the system could work. All timetables and station clocks across the country are set on Moscow time.

On board Russian trains

Long-distance trains within Russia (and the former Soviet republics) have  two types of the carriages. Most of them are sleeping carriages having three classes of the accommodation.  On short distance meaning in Russia trips that are  less then 700 km you can find also seating carriages having two classes of the accommodation as well.  We use the ‘Western’  word ‘classes’ although there are no official carriage class classification by the Russian railways.

Sleeping carriages

1st class or SV

2-berth compartments,  9 compartments per coach.  Both beds are at the lower level.  Washrooms and toilets are at the end of the corridor. 

2nd class or Kupé

4-berth compartments, 9 compartments per coach.  Washrooms and toilets are at the end of the corridor.  Recommended for most visitors to Russia. Some of the international trains (mostly to/from Western Europe) are with ten compartments each usable as 3-berth, 2-berth or single-berth. 

3rd class  or Platskartny 

Open-plan dormitory cars.  There are 54 bunks per coach, arranged in bays of 4 on one side of the aisle and bays of 2 along the coach wall on the other side of the aisle. Bear in mind platskartny carriages are popular among Russians who can’t afford themselves to travel in the 2^nd class.  It can be recommended only for short distances as an experience or for the adventures travellers.

Seating carriages

1st class  or Sidyachiy

The certain daytime trains like on Moscow –St.Petersburg route have modern cars fitted with comfortable airplane-type chairs, arranged in rows of 2 on one side of the aisle and rows of 2 on other side of the aisle or fitted with 9 six-seat compartments.

2nd class  or Obshchiy

Open-plan dormitory cars. There are 81 seats per coach, arranged in bays of 6 on one side of the aisle and bays of 3 along the coach wall on the other side of the aisle.   Recommended for short trips only.

Life on board

Whichever class of travel you choose, each coach is looked after by a pair of attendants called a 'provodnik' (male) or 'provodnitsa' (female).  The provodnik will check your ticket at the door to the sleeper when you board.  Shortly after departure, the provodnik will come round to take your ticket and to bring your bedding. Bedding fee now is included in your ticket fares in all sleeping carriages.   Bedding (two sheets, pillowcase and towel) is  handed out in sealed packs - blankets and mattresses will already be stacked in your compartment.  After a few journeys, you will become quite proficient at making up your bed. You may be asked if you would like a glass of black Russian tea ('chai') - this costs about 30 c.

A samovar with unlimited free hot water is available at the end of the corridor - pack some tea or coffee, sugar, cuppa soups or water-based drinking chocolate and bring your own mug.   Most long distance trains have a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks, and inexpensive full meals - reckon on less than $10-$15 for two courses and a couple of bottles of beer.

Tickets

On all Russian and former Soviet Union States long-distance trains seat or bed reservation are mandatory. Reservation are only valid in conjunction with a ticket and only on the day, train, coach and berth of the journey indicated. Tickets for single or return journeys can be issued on one ticket. Tickets and reservations for several passengers can be issued on one ticket and one reservation.

Security

There is no particular need to worry about security on Russian trains, as long as you use common sense, exactly as you would in a hostel or hotel , locking your door at night and not leaving valuables unattended in your compartment.  In addition to the normal lock on the compartment door, 'SV' and 'Kupé' compartments have a security latch which stops the door opening more than an inch or two, and which cannot be released from outside.  There's also a safe place for your bags at night - if you have a bottom bunk, there is a metal box underneath the bunk which you can only get to by lifting up the bunk - in other words, for anyone to get to your bags, they will have to shift you off your bunk first!  Your provodniks will probably also lock the access doors at each end of the corridor at night to prevent unwanted guests.

Rail traveller English - Russian Dictionary

There are some useful Russian words to remember

How to book

Russian train reservations open 45 days before departure for internal trains and 60 days before for international ones.

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