Advice on taking Russian Trains please
 

Hello. We are going to be in St. Petersburg and want to travel by train the first part of May to Vladimir. We will spend two days in Vladimir before returning by train to Moscow.

Question: We can take the overnight train straight through from St. Petersburg to Vladimir which in a way is apealing. We would travel 2nd class most likely and hopefully get some sleep. We would arrive at around 5AM and then after dropping our luggage at the hotel start our sightseeing.
The advantage of this is that we would have one extra day in St. Petes. We currently have 4 days there. This would give us 5.

option 2. Take the day train (7AM) Sapsan to Moscow from St. Petes and then change train stations to the Kursky to take the train, 3 hours after arrival, to Vladimir. Still gives us half a day in Vladimir and then the next day to see Suzdal
How easy would it be to get a cab from one station to the next? And would it be a long ways and very expensive? We dont speak any Russian but I will have everything written out in Russian for the cab drivers ahead of time.

What do you think? There are pros and cons to each but wondering if the sceanery between St Petersburg and Moscow is worth going in the day time. Thanks in advance

Was there in Sept for 3 weeks. We took the afternoon train to see the scenery. Absolutely nothing to see. If there was even one thing I would mention it but, no scenery, towns of interest, nothing. take the night train.

You might also check out when sights are open and closed (days and times) so that you don't get screwed like The Arnold who went to the Taj Mahal and it was closed.

Thank you Jan
I was hoping others would chime in with advice too. I think we will take the overnight train. Thanks for your imput.

Ditto on the no-scenery on that train ride. Also took the afternoon train St P to Moscow a year ago and whilst I enjoyed the trip, the scenery is a little different if you're used to train travel in Europe. I normally don't recommend overnight trains, but in this case you won't be missing out on scenery and if it gives you more time in St P then go for it.

thanks very much