OK, I filled out a ticket purchase form on billet.ru to buy an overnight train ticket on the red arrow. Their system kicked back the same information to me in a note, but saying nothing about purchase. It did not require a credit card number but I did satate I would purchase with a credit card. I sent a follow up email about what is the the next step. I got back a 2 line cryptic note about "calulating cost" and "send credit card number". I sent another note asking what the cost was, confirm it would be delivered to my hotel, and other questions. I never got a reply, even after follow-up emails. Is there a better sight that gives confirmations ?? They never even told me how much it was. I am assuming I do not have a ticket since there is no way to pay for. I am not sending my credit card info to someone when they will not tell how much it is. I am thinking about now going to the waytorussia.com site----but is it any better?? I appreciate any advice as this is very frustrating and I am leaving in a couple of weeks and have no transoortation between Moscow and StPB. All I want is confirmation of ticket purchase, confirmation the ticket will be sent to the hotel, and confidence that the reservation has been made. Other advice on billet.ru would be grateful.

TTT

If you have good communication with your hotel, perhaps they can either assist you with the problem site or steer you to a better one.

Are you using billet.ru or bilet.ru for your train tickets, they are different agencies. I have used bilet.ru for train tickets from Moscow to St.Petersburg, I do believe I paid by credit card. I picked up tickets at office in Moscow, the office was a little difficult to find, it was in a gated building, but the map on website was correct.

I have also used the services of one of the agencies supplied by: waytorussia.net
with no problem. I didn't pay anything in advance. I arranged a pickup at the airport with a transfer to train station along with the delivery of the tickets at the airport. Another time I purchased air tickets from them.

I have booked various tickets a number of times, sometimes by credit card in advance or cash on delivery and have never had any problems.

My 1st class train ticket cost, train #1 , St Petersburg to Moscow was 2400 RBL, agency cost for bilet.ru should be 199rbl.

I have used Optima Tours for train tickets from St Petersburg to Moscow, advance payment by credit card, ticket delived to hotel in St Petersburg, no problems. Tickets in Russia can only be obtained 45 days in advance. I always ask for ticket information once it is purchased.

Optima Travel website at:

http://www.moscow-hotels-russia.com/...moscow-spb.htm

I was using bilet.ru. I went to Waytorussia.com and their service and after some work, I am in the process on getting this ticket. I think I am there but need a last confirmation. This is my last item so I think I am 90% there. Thanks.