Russian Overnight Train Options
Nov 6, 2008 | 3:22 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 170
that depends
I will be taking a train from STP to Moscow in about 3 weeks, leaving on a Friday. Should I bother with booking online through Way To Russia or buy my ticket at the train station (I will be in STP for 5 days prior to leaving)?? My thinking is that it's not a busy tourist season, so I would be okay with train availability, but I don't want to assume anything.
The more expensive tickets (1st class - СВ) are very likely to be available.
Nov 6, 2008 | 3:51 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 170
while we are at it
Seasonal discounts ("coefficients") on RZD for the rest of 2008:
10/1 -11/10 - 0,86
11/11-12/20 - 0,88
12/21-12/24 - 0,98
12/25-12-26 - 1,04
12/27-12/28 - 1,15
12/29-12/30 - 1,45
12/31 - 0,96
During the applicable period the base fare is multiplied by the corresponding ratio.
10/1 -11/10 - 0,86
11/11-12/20 - 0,88
12/21-12/24 - 0,98
12/25-12-26 - 1,04
12/27-12/28 - 1,15
12/29-12/30 - 1,45
12/31 - 0,96
During the applicable period the base fare is multiplied by the corresponding ratio.
Nov 6, 2008 | 9:16 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 170
Have they published the rates for 2009 already? 
This year it was .45, hopefully it will be at least that next year as well...I am sure they'll release the numbers soon, probably by Nov 15, their bookings open 45 days in advance I beleive?
This year it was .45, hopefully it will be at least that next year as well...I am sure they'll release the numbers soon, probably by Nov 15, their bookings open 45 days in advance I beleive?
Nov 6, 2008 | 5:59 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: EVN
Programs: KLM Flying Dutchman forever, bmi Diamond Club (is there a theme here?), LH, BA, EK, DL nobody
Posts: 1,877
Nov 7, 2008 | 6:54 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: TAS
Programs: A3*G, UA 1K
Posts: 9,250
Nov 8, 2008 | 4:26 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: JFK/EWR/LGA
Programs: AA, AGR, Choice Gold, CitiPrestige, TYP
Posts: 134
If your requirements are very specific, sa particular seat or a particular train (eg 2nd class ("coupe"), lower bunk on the Red Arrow) - book in advance. If you are just looking to get to Moscow from Spb, you'll get there.
The more expensive tickets (1st class - СВ) are very likely to be available.
The more expensive tickets (1st class - СВ) are very likely to be available.
I'm a female and will be traveling solo. I've read that 3rd class (platskartny) might be a better option for women. It certainly is the cheaper option, but is it better in my case?
Nov 8, 2008 | 8:53 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: EVN
Programs: KLM Flying Dutchman forever, bmi Diamond Club (is there a theme here?), LH, BA, EK, DL nobody
Posts: 1,877
Sorry, in Russian only
Isn't it something you read over at Lonely Planet fora as the backpackers try to rationalize their penny-pinching ways? 
Seriously though, 3rd class is open plan with no partitions so if would probably be a bit safer (but you're trading in a lot of privacy for that). 2nd class has 4-berth compartments and would potentially be more risky - but I haven't heard of anything untoward happening to anyone I know. IIRC, on most trains you now have a choice between male/female/mixed compartments at time of booking which makes it totally OK, I guess
Seriously though, 3rd class is open plan with no partitions so if would probably be a bit safer (but you're trading in a lot of privacy for that). 2nd class has 4-berth compartments and would potentially be more risky - but I haven't heard of anything untoward happening to anyone I know. IIRC, on most trains you now have a choice between male/female/mixed compartments at time of booking which makes it totally OK, I guess
Nov 8, 2008 | 9:21 am
#24
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 170
- Platskartny is one. The condition of RZD rolling stock varies enormously, so you may end up in a brand new car or one with holes in windows and a filthy bathroom. The quality of linen may also be not so good, I think platskart linens are hand-me downs from CB and coupe. Also keep in mind that platskart cars have 9 4-berth open compartments with berths positioned across (numbered 1-36, odd numbers for lower berths) and pairs of narrower berths running along the opposite side (No's 37-54) where the lower berth converts into 2 seats and a table (which means that you don't get to go to bed until your top-bunk compadre is ready to retire) Seats at both ends of the car are less desirable due to the proximity of toilets. There's very little privacy in these cars and you may get some riff-raff with questionable manners.
- On most sleeper trains they also now designate a 2nd class (and a 1st class) car for separate M/F coupe compartments (and I suspect that would be the "chick" car of the train
) - There are also 3 high-speed trains with open coach-type seating. No's 159/160 The Avrora, 165/166 The Nevsky Express, and a weekly 167/168 ER-200, USSR's original high-speed train. These are slightly more expensive, running RUR 2500-3500 (for 3500 you can get a 1st class sleeper). There's also train 23/24 which offers coach seating for a price comparable to platskart. (around RUR 500)
I've traveled in 2nd class on the Nikolaevsky Express (No 5/6) and found the interiors a bit tired and dusty. On the way back it was 2nd class on a 'no-name' train, and the car was new, bright and airy.
So lots of choices and little consistency. Personally I think travelling on an overnight sleeper in 2nd or 1st class, drinking "chai" and making new friends is a more authentic experience and I would go for the tried and true Red Arrow. You can get a lower bunk in their M/F coupe car for RUR 2100+, but that would be a specific request that should be preferably booked in advance.
Nov 8, 2008 | 12:00 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: TAS
Programs: A3*G, UA 1K
Posts: 9,250
Sorry, in Russian only
Nov 8, 2008 | 4:35 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 170
Plugging some dates into the RZD timetable for Moskva - Sankt-Peterburg I only see Friday 7 PM departures for No 168
PS Also see the schedule on the Oktyabrskaya Railway site dedicated to their "branded" trains
PS Also see the schedule on the Oktyabrskaya Railway site dedicated to their "branded" trains
Last edited by impaler; Nov 8, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Nov 8, 2008 | 8:15 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Portugal
Programs: A3 Gold
Posts: 2,399
I suppose this just indicates that train systems in different countries have different standards for passenger blood alcohol levels ;-)
Nov 9, 2008 | 12:38 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: EVN
Programs: KLM Flying Dutchman forever, bmi Diamond Club (is there a theme here?), LH, BA, EK, DL nobody
Posts: 1,877
Plugging some dates into the RZD timetable for Moskva - Sankt-Peterburg I only see Friday 7 PM departures for No 168
PS Also see the schedule on the Oktyabrskaya Railway site dedicated to their "branded" trains
PS Also see the schedule on the Oktyabrskaya Railway site dedicated to their "branded" trains
Nov 27, 2008 | 7:35 am
#30
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: EVN
Programs: KLM Flying Dutchman forever, bmi Diamond Club (is there a theme here?), LH, BA, EK, DL nobody
Posts: 1,877
Ask and ye shall receive
For those that don't read Russian:
Jan, 1 - x0.45,
Dec 31 - x1,
- and the rest of the dates is in the numerical format (02.01.09-05.01.09 and so on). DD.MM.YY, of course
For those that don't read Russian:
Jan, 1 - x0.45,
Dec 31 - x1,
- and the rest of the dates is in the numerical format (02.01.09-05.01.09 and so on). DD.MM.YY, of course