The Russian train travel guide

How to check train time and fares withing Russia:

To know train timetable please 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.  Remember to check the days of running of your train, as many long-distance services don't run every day. You can check the timetable and fares within Russia using the Russian Railways website, http://www.rzd.ru

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 € 0.5.

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 main course and a couple of bottles of beer.

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

Tickets and reservations

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 or one reservation.  For trains to Mongolia and China the passport details are required. The booking for trains to Russia opens 92 days in advance before departure date, from Russia - 60 days in advance, for trains within Russia – 45 days in advance.

Validity of Tickets

Single and return tickets to/from and within Russia are valid for two months. Single tickets on trains to Mongolia and China are valid for two months and return tickets for four months.

Tickets may be extended by authorised railway personnel if the passenger is unable to complete his/her journey within the period of the ticket's validity due to illness or other serious reason, providing that this is supported by the necessary documentation such as a sick note from a doctor. No ticket may be extended more than twice. Each extension is valid for up to two months.

During the validity of tickets, passengers may interrupt their journey at any station en route if this is not prohibited by passport or administrative regulations. The seat or bed reservation becomes invalid and passengers must purchase a reservation to continue their journey. No refunds are made for unused reservations.

For return journeys from Mongolian stations, passengers may be given berth tickets with an open date and with no indication of the date, train number, coach and place. In this case the conductor will allocate your beds.

Children travelling

Up to 4 year old children may travel free of charge if they do not require a separate sleeping berth. It is necessary to purchase a seat or bed reservation and children's ticket for every child under four years of age occupying a seat or sleeping berth. A passenger travelling with more than one child under four years old must purchase children's tickets for every child except one.

Tickets for children between 4 and 12 cost 50% of the adult passenger fare. Reservation must be paid in full. Passengers to/from Russia (but not within Russia) can purchase a children's ticket without a reservation for children between 4 and 10 years of age if they are using the same seats or beds as their parents.

Children aged 12 year old or over must purchase an adult ticket, with exeption for children travelling together with their parents on some routes. In this case children aged 15 year old or over must purchase an adult ticket

Luggage

Hand luggage up to 35 kilograms pro passenger can be taken on  trains free of charge in the 2nd class carriages and up to 50 kilograms in the 1st class carriages.

Transporting animals

Transporting dogs and cats must be approved by the veterinary and customs regulations.

Small pets (cats, birds) can be taken as hand luggage if they are in suitable cages.

Dogs may travel for a supplementary payment. Transporting dogs is allowed only in 2nd class coaches, with no more than 2 dogs per compartment. The passenger must pay the cost of the tickets and reservations according to the number of places in the compartment, as well as an additional fare for transporting dogs amounting to 50% of the full ticket for the journey in a 2nd class coach.

Aggressive dog breeds may not be transported to or taken on transit through Germany.

If the railway company is unable to provide a separate compartment for the transportation of dogs, such transportation is not permitted.

Refunds

Passengers may receive fare refunds if the ticket is marked by the railway administration as being wholly or partially unused and authorised by a signature, the date and a stamp. The tickets must be marked within 3 hours following the train's departure. No refunds are made if such marks are absent.

Booking fee and delivery cost are not subject to refund. In addition, the refund fee of  € 15/CHF 25 will be charged for every ticket:

100% of the cost of  reservation will be refunded  if the travel withdrawal notice has been given less than 6 hours before the departure of the train;

For refunds, tickets with the necessary marks must be presented us (punch cancelled and notice from the railway administration about the cessation of the journey and so on) within 9 months from the day the tickets were issued. Complaints will be considered within 180 days from the day the complaint was made.