Russia - Opinions on the current Moscow-St. Petersburg high speed rail?

Curious if anyone has done this recently. Last thread I found was from '09 and not sure it's up to date. I'd be looking at the daytime high speed option. Is this a better way to do the trip than flying (as far as getting to skip airports and see some of the Russian countryside on the journey)?

I take the train regularly and it's definitely a better option than flying in my book. The airports in Moscow and St. Pete are both a ways outside the city and will take you awhile to reach. St. Pete also has no train to the airport, so you're looking at an expensive cab ride into the city after arrival.

With the train, you go from city center to city center, with easy access to the Metro in both places. The Sapsan is very nice, comfortable, and while not the highest possible speed it could reach, you still get there pretty damn fast.

St. Pete also has no train to the airport, so you're looking at an expensive cab ride into the city after arrival.There is a bus that works pretty well and takes you right to the metr:p. It was under 50 rubles (cheap!) when I last took it.

There is a bus that works pretty well and takes you right to the metr:p. It was under 50 rubles (cheap!) when I last took it.

Probably just going to use whatever driver my hotels on each end suggest.

There is a bus that works pretty well and takes you right to the metr:p. It was under 50 rubles (cheap!) when I last took it.

Second did. The key is getting the right bus. Would do some research first.

i am not sure about the train, I personally would just fly this route.

If cost a consideration to you -- last time I checked the high speed train tickets were more expensive than airfare. Similarly to Eurostar vs Ryanair on London - Paris route :)

Second did. The key is getting the right bus. Would do some research first.S;)me info (http://library.kiwix.org:4201/A/Pulkovo_Airport.html):
Airport is served by two regular bus lines: routes number 13 and 39. The stop for line 39 is located next to arrivals in Pulkovo-1. The stop for line 13 is located next to arrivals area at Pulkovo-2 terminal. Note that Pulkovo-2 has another stop for bus 13, for buses coming from the city, this stop is located next to departures area. The commute time to metro station Moskovskaya is about 15-20 minutes.

Curious if anyone has done this recently. Last thread I found was from '09 and not sure it's up to date. I'd be looking at the daytime high speed option. Is this a better way to do the trip than flying (as far as getting to skip airports and see some of the Russian countryside on the journey)?
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Late reply, but I use the train occasionally. And IMO it depends where your staying in Moscow. I stay at the Hilton sometimes and thats a no-brainer as I walk over to the train station. The main problem is sometimes buying the tickets at the station - credit card machines that don't work - workers behind the glass that don't work, etc, etc.

Moscow metro can be a hassle if your lugging around luggage and have to make a change from one line to the other to get to the station.

The train itself is comfortable - bring some snacks and enjoy the scenery.

I'm less familiar with St Pete metro - I've used it a few times and some of the changes are simply brutal for those carrying luggage. I made one change where three lines come together and I'm not exaggerating that I walked for 15 minutes and went up/down at least 6 flights of steps. (I didn't have to find a gym that night!).

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Late reply, but I use the train occasionally. And IMO it depends where your staying in Moscow. I stay at the Hilton sometimes and thats a no-brainer as I walk over to the train station. The main problem is sometimes buying the tickets at the station - credit card machines that don't work - workers behind the glass that don't work, etc, etc.

Moscow metro can be a hassle if your lugging around luggage and have to make a change from one line to the other to get to the station.

The train itself is comfortable - bring some snacks and enjoy the scenery.

I'm less familiar with St Pete metro - I've used it a few times and some of the changes are simply brutal for those carrying luggage. I made one change where three lines come together and I'm not exaggerating that I walked for 15 minutes and went up/down at least 6 flights of steps. (I didn't have to find a gym that night!).

The three lines is the Sadovaya/Sennaya Ploschad Change - that is a tricky one and definitely would be brutal with luggage!

OP, while I sometimes fly, allow me to suggest using the overnight trains between the two cities - it is a comfortable ride (I always got a berth in the coupe) and allows you to navigate the metros of the two cities in off hours, making carrying any luggage easier with less people. It doesn't do anything about the stairs though.