Taking the train in Russia is a wonderfull experience that most of the travelers wish to try once in their journey. Traveling this way in Russia need some explanation before your start your trip. This section has been made to help traveler to understand a little more how does the railway system works in Russia especially if you don’t speak Russian.
Either you’re looking for a train ticket for Saint-Petersburg or a real adventure in the trans-Siberian railway, you will find here the steps to get and understand your train ticket. In this section, you’ll find informations about:
More information about the train for Russia:
Information to come by train in Russia from Western Europe:
The train trip takes about 35 hours if you come from Western Europe to Moscow or Saint Petersburg.
Information to come by train in Russia from Eastern Europe:
If you take a train from Eastern Europe (in Poland for example), the trip takes nearly 24 hours.
Information to come by train in Russia from the Baltic countries:
If you travel by train Baltic countries, the trip to Moscow is about 15 hours. Add a little time to change trains.
Approximate prices for train tickets to Russia:
The average roundtrip ticket countries in Western Europe until the Russian capital (Moscow) costs about $ 200. The least expensive is obviously a departure leaving the Baltics.
Information on the types of trains:
Take the train to Russia (and Russia abroad) is probably the most comfortable or choose to come from Russia. But prices for international trains are generally more important than whether you travel by bus (coach). This award is particularly high if you leave or arrive with a package of Scandinavia. Usually, international trains are very comfortable, but if you take the train Russian, see more information on the Russian railways.
Remember, if you choose to buy your own train ticket, you must arm of patience. The wait can sometimes eternal a little long ...
The train passes priced interessant.
Rail Passes can afford to travel across Europe, taking advantage of discounts very interesting. Usually, a laissez-passer as Eurail is valid only in Western Europe, but there are also passes for train countries of Eastern Europe.
Several companies sell on the Internet is interesting types of passes.
The Eurail pass is used youth (for those under 26 years). The Eurail Youth gives you unlimited access 2nd class train travel in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland for a certain period of time. The pass for 30 consecutive days costs $ 625 and 15 travel days within 2 months will cost $ 600.
Another pass very interesting if you voagez in the Scandinavian countries is ScanRail. It offers 50% discount in most cases for travel to Scandinavia, until the Russian border.
Warning: transit visas for Russia or other countries along your route.
Remember that you will need a transit visa to pass through certain countries in Eastern Europe. Even if the advent of many in the European Union means the abolition of these standards, ask before leaving.
If you choose a route to Russia through Belarus or Ukraine, you certainly need a transit visa (unless you are a citizen CIS). The transit visa is actually a way the government have found to make a little money with travellers. The rate is usually between $ 30 and $ 40 and you can get in the country of the embassy. It is difficult habituelement (see imposible) to obtain a transit visa at the border.
To avoid the hassle of additional visa, you can go to Russia by the Baltic States, it is unlikely that you will need a visa for Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The Baltic countries are very beautiful country to visit, not to mention that your trip will not cost more (maybe even less, especially if your first destination is St. Petersburg). You will need against a change of trains.
The best option is to calculate what these transferís and expectations may involve as cost. You will choose then the best option. It still depends on where you are now and what travel options you have.
