I'm going to Russia in April and don't want to be stuck somewhere unable to get train tickets but I also don't want to be ripped off by an online ticket agency. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks
2007-01-24 04:21:46 · 8 answers · asked by Stroyd 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Russia
Train tickets are easy to buy, if you speak a little Russian. They are not nearly as expensive as you will pay online, and you need a copy of your passport to purchase a ticket (and to board the train).
If you go and the train is sold out, wait until about 3 hours before the train is scheduled to leave. Free spots on the train always show up at the last minute, and are much cheaper (if you have the flexibility).
I've never been refused access to a train I wanted to travel on. I think the most I've paid for tickets is about $80 USD for the 2 person sleeper. They give you bedding, but food is extra if you want it - take it with you, instead.
2007-01-24 11:07:19 · answer #1 · answered by Kevin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many long distance trains in Russia travel overnight. I've travelled many times without any problems and found it easy to buy tickets. Only issue is that if you book at the last minute, you may not be able to get the ticket you want. Carriages are divided into sleeper compartments. Lowest class tickets have 4 or maybe 6 people in a compartment, highest have 2 or even one in each compartment. I've found that 4 person compartment is best, you can practice your Russian language and someone will look after your things when you go anywhere. I have not found that railways charge extra for foreigners, but most tourist attractions do.
2007-01-27 16:19:28 · answer #2 · answered by David W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where you want to travel to and on where you travel from.
Sometimes, when you go to the station to buy a train ticket, the next train can be the day after or even two days later because there is no room left in today's train. So, there's a possibility of beeing stuck for a day or two if you didn't buy tickets in advance. If you're planing to travel to a long distance, there's nothing you can do but wait. But if the place you want to go to is not too far from where you are, you can go to the coach stations (they are usually very close to railway stations) and travel by bus : you usually don't have to wait long for the next bus to leave.
I've never tried to book tickets online because when I'm in Russia and "stuck" somewhere I usualy try to make the most of it and visit the place where I am, even if it was not planned.
At the station, the fares are the same for Russian citizens and for foreigners. But if you're a tourist, the employee, assuming that all tourists are rich, may offer you to buy a more expensive ticket to a more comfortable train with a better service. So, don't forget to ask, in case you don't want to spend too much, if they have anything cheaper.
Just in case :
Beware of people who offer their "help" at the station and who offer to sell you the ticket you couldn't buy at the counter. It's usually a rip off
2007-01-26 18:18:04 · answer #3 · answered by Arbitre des élégances 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's a well-traveled route and you need a sleeper, get the SV (basically business class, only 2 people per cabin); depending on where you're going expect probably around 150-200 dollars for the ticket and extra money (food costs extra, about 20 bucks for bedding, and etc); and look around and find out whether its a time of vacations in Russia at the time you're traveling, because if it is 1) you'll get charged more and 2) you'll need to get tickets early.
My advice? Get tickets in advance, as getting them on the spot is risky - you can't make any guarantees that you'll actually get a ticket. It's probably worth it. Or, if you know someone living there, they could get the ticket for you if they have a photocopy of your passport, the only catch is that they must get the ticket for you as there's no ticket-holding services offered as far as I know.
2007-01-24 18:33:56 · answer #4 · answered by filatovvv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tickets on the train is very good but also they sell out fast also and train tickets aren't based on income unless you over 65 years old , then they get a discount and miltary travel for little to nothing.
The price per ticket depends on rather you get a private both or with 4 people per compartment and depending on the type of tickets you get depends on rather you pay for bedding or not.
My wife just told who is Russian that all bedding is included in the price.
2007-01-25 21:39:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I've traveled in Russia several times. One advice I can give you is to buy the tickets well in advance, especially for overnight trains (for example Moscow to St. Petersburg). Last time I traveled, the tickets for non-Russian citizens were double of the price for Russian citizens (prices are based on income, they assume tourists make more money). I don't know if this is the fact now. If you are afraid of being ripped off, I suggest buying the tickets right when you arrive. Good Luck.
2007-01-24 13:09:17 · answer #6 · answered by Victoria 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've never been so I am only going on rumor, but from what I have heard it is best to book through a travel agent when doing any traveling within Russia. The biggest problem people seem to run into is with their visa, and a travel agent sorts all of this out for you in advance so you have no worries.
2007-01-24 12:38:10 · answer #7 · answered by Rebecca A 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You may see here
http://www.traintickets.ru/en/index.htm
2007-01-25 04:03:46 · answer #8 · answered by Natia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋