Russian Railways online booking site
Jul 26, 2017, 12:52 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
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Small update: I can't get any Chase card to work: Sapphire/Reserve/Ink/Slate.... However, no problem at all with either Citi Double Cash or Citi AA card.
YMMV, of course...
YMMV, of course...
Oct 9, 2017, 12:57 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Oct 11, 2017, 4:14 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
As someone else may have mentioned there is a "glitch" you need to be aware of. the site will ask you for your form of ID and the number. The first drop down two options say something like "Russian ID" and then "international passport" and then there are other options.
Your instinct will be to select "international passport" and type in your number.
That's wrong. You will get an error message when you later try to pay.
Don't select "international passport." Continue scrolling down the drop down and select "foreign document." Then put in your passport number. Then pay. It should work.
Your instinct will be to select "international passport" and type in your number.
That's wrong. You will get an error message when you later try to pay.
Don't select "international passport." Continue scrolling down the drop down and select "foreign document." Then put in your passport number. Then pay. It should work.
Oct 12, 2017, 6:10 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: UK, London/Ukraine, Dnepr
Posts: 8
In Russia, as in Ukraine and Belarus, there are no special problems with the purchase of train tickets inside the country, besides the huge number of intercity buses except trains, you can buy a ticket without passports and documents at all.
Last edited by Al Wolkow; Oct 26, 2017 at 8:19 am
Oct 12, 2017, 1:28 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LCA/KUL/RGN
Programs: RJ Gold, AZ E+, Air Asia Platinum
Posts: 2,189
While it is indeed easy to buy the train/bus tickets on the spot, you do need a passport to travel on intercity trains and buses in Russia.
Oct 26, 2017, 8:19 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: UK, London/Ukraine, Dnepr
Posts: 8
Oct 26, 2017, 6:49 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 7
I was a bit afraid of purchasing the tickets on the official website rzd.ru but did it successfully yesterday using Chase Sapphire Preferred. No problems at all and saved like $5 per ticket by not buying it at tutu.ru (a reputable website for travel stuff in Russia).
Oct 27, 2017, 3:28 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: KF
Posts: 309
Registration on Online Booking
I once booked online through russian train website and printed the eticket after clicking the registration last August.
I read on their website that eticket (registered) can be refunded only on the departing station at least few hours before departure.
I want to be flexible, and I want to know if there is a way to do the refund online?
( I'm assuming one should not registered the ticket yet) i.e for tickets which allows it (like, moscow to irkstuk), so that it can be refunded ONLINE? Am I correct it? Someone already tried this process? Does the website have the ability to process purely ONLINE refund?
I read on their website that eticket (registered) can be refunded only on the departing station at least few hours before departure.
I want to be flexible, and I want to know if there is a way to do the refund online?
( I'm assuming one should not registered the ticket yet) i.e for tickets which allows it (like, moscow to irkstuk), so that it can be refunded ONLINE? Am I correct it? Someone already tried this process? Does the website have the ability to process purely ONLINE refund?
Oct 30, 2017, 9:04 pm
#26
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
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Cheers
Howie
Nov 2, 2017, 11:50 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: KF
Posts: 309
ANyway, for the Sapsan, I remember they just scan my eticket using handheld device. Will it works for an eticket on my phone? ( I probably dont have access to printer)
Nov 3, 2017, 1:25 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
I'm in Russia now, took 9 trains journeys this month, and it was very hit or miss as to whether they wanted a printout or just wanted my passport. I would strongly recommend printing the e-ticket "boarding coupon" ahead of time or printing out the ticket at the station.
Nov 6, 2017, 8:28 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 5
Finally started booking tickets for our transsiberian adventure for the summer.
First card was rejected, but 2nd Visa went thru nicely using Verified by Visa.
Glad it was such a painless process
btw, if anyone is looking at tickets at 45 days out - they go on sale about 9pm Eastern.
First card was rejected, but 2nd Visa went thru nicely using Verified by Visa.
Glad it was such a painless process
btw, if anyone is looking at tickets at 45 days out - they go on sale about 9pm Eastern.
Nov 15, 2017, 2:31 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 377
I'm in Russia now, took 9 trains journeys this month, and it was very hit or miss as to whether they wanted a printout or just wanted my passport. I would strongly recommend printing the e-ticket "boarding coupon" ahead of time or printing out the ticket at the station.