Train Travel-Moscow to St. Pete
Apr 1st, 2006, 06:56 AM
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Train Travel-Moscow to St. Pete
I've read about the different trains between the two cities and we will take one of the Firmenny trains (Red Arrow or Express), 2nd class. My question is whether we should buy tickets we leave for our trip or when we get there. Does anyone know what the cost difference approximately would be if we bought at station versus through an agency? Trying to figure out if spending the extra money is worth the time saved in trying to buy tickets there.
Apr 1st, 2006, 11:10 PM
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We booked and paid for ours before leaving home, via email to an agency in Moscow. Then we collected them in person although they do provide a delivery service to the hotel if required. For us it was worth pre-booking, as we had limited time in Russia.
We went on the Nikolayevsky Express, as recommended by the travel agency. They did charge a fee but it was not much.
We went on the Nikolayevsky Express, as recommended by the travel agency. They did charge a fee but it was not much.
Apr 2nd, 2006, 12:58 PM
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I would just bite the bullet and pre-order the tickets, esp. if you are intent on traveling 2nd class on a specific day. Unless you will be in Moscow for a while beforehand, it will eat up a lot of your time and you may not be able to get the tickets you want.
I think the last time we bought the "Red Arrow" it was about $25 per person one way (at the station in Moscow) but I could be misremembering...
I think the last time we bought the "Red Arrow" it was about $25 per person one way (at the station in Moscow) but I could be misremembering...
Apr 3rd, 2006, 04:43 AM
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Thanks everyone. Right now buying the ticket through an agent is about 63 for Red Arrow, second class. So, that is a bit more than $25 at the station. But, still probably worth it since our time in Moscow is also very short (3 days) and I want to make sure to get the train we want. Curious about that express train, Nikolayevsky Express...is that the last train of the night? It is listed as "express" on the sites I've been looking at and I'm wondering the difference between that train and the red arrow.
Apr 3rd, 2006, 09:35 AM
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The Red Arrow is probably Russia’s most famous train. In Soviet times, it carried the Communist Party elite between Moscow and what was then Leningrad. It is still one of the most popular trains between the two cities. The train even has its own theme song that plays as it departs from the station.
The train has Deluxe, 1st and 2nd class compartments. First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal while 2nd class is a cabin for 4 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a lunch box. Also Deluxe cabins are available including everything as in 1st class as well as a shower. The train also has a nice dining car that serves good meals.
#002 Moscow - St. Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:55 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 07:55
Total hours: 08:00
Aurora is one of the most comfortable high speed day trains on the Russian railroad. The train has business class and economy class seats as well as 1st class and 2nd class cabins.
Business class coaches are equipped with comfortable seats with personal tables, individual lighting consoles and LCD video screens on which movies are shown. A hot meal is included in the ticket price. First class cabins are for 2 people including bed linen a few magazines and a hot meal. The train also has a nice dining car that serves good meals.
#160 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 16:30 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 21:45
Total hours: 05:15
The Nikolaevsky Express is a special train with a very interesting, retro design – journey back to the time of the Tsars on this train. The train also has a cozy bar and a good dining car. First class and 2nd class cabins are both available.
First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal while 2nd class is a cabin for 4 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a lunch box.
#006 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:30 except Saturday
Arrival St. Petersburg: 07:10
Total hours: 07:40
The Nevsky Express is the fastest train running between Moscow and St. Petersburg. After its recent refitting, the train’s interior now has a modern design built with glass and metal. The train only has business class compartments that are quite comfortable.
Business class coaches are equipped with very comfortable seats, 5 channel video and audio equipment. Each compartment is separated by glass partitions.
#168 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 18:30 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 23:06
Total hours: 04:42
Smena is a high quality passenger train running between the 2 capitals quite similar to the Red Arrow (however, it doesn’t have its own theme song). The train has both 1st and 2nd class cabins.
First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal while 2nd class is a cabin for 4 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a lunch box.
#26 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:00 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 07:00
Total hours: 08:00
Grand De Lux is the most luxury train operates between Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.
The train has, 1st, Premium, Grand and Grand De Lux class compartments. First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal. Premium cabins are available including everything as in 1st class as well as a WC and sink. There are wardrobe, DVD, TV, condition, internet access, heat and noise insulation, dressing gown, slippers in Grand and Grand De Lux cabin (to travel these classes you have to buy a whole compartment – 2 tickets).
The train has a nice dining car that serves good meals. Also you can order food and drinks to compartment.
#054 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:23 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 08:20
Total hours: 09:00
Moscow Express is a fast train with increased level of service and Moscow. The train has both 1st and 2nd class cabins.
First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal while 2nd class is a cabin for 4 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a lunch box.
#004 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:59 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 08:00
Total hours: 08:01
For more information see: http://www.expresstorussia.com/train...etersburg.html
The train has Deluxe, 1st and 2nd class compartments. First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal while 2nd class is a cabin for 4 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a lunch box. Also Deluxe cabins are available including everything as in 1st class as well as a shower. The train also has a nice dining car that serves good meals.
#002 Moscow - St. Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:55 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 07:55
Total hours: 08:00
Aurora is one of the most comfortable high speed day trains on the Russian railroad. The train has business class and economy class seats as well as 1st class and 2nd class cabins.
Business class coaches are equipped with comfortable seats with personal tables, individual lighting consoles and LCD video screens on which movies are shown. A hot meal is included in the ticket price. First class cabins are for 2 people including bed linen a few magazines and a hot meal. The train also has a nice dining car that serves good meals.
#160 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 16:30 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 21:45
Total hours: 05:15
The Nikolaevsky Express is a special train with a very interesting, retro design – journey back to the time of the Tsars on this train. The train also has a cozy bar and a good dining car. First class and 2nd class cabins are both available.
First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal while 2nd class is a cabin for 4 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a lunch box.
#006 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:30 except Saturday
Arrival St. Petersburg: 07:10
Total hours: 07:40
The Nevsky Express is the fastest train running between Moscow and St. Petersburg. After its recent refitting, the train’s interior now has a modern design built with glass and metal. The train only has business class compartments that are quite comfortable.
Business class coaches are equipped with very comfortable seats, 5 channel video and audio equipment. Each compartment is separated by glass partitions.
#168 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 18:30 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 23:06
Total hours: 04:42
Smena is a high quality passenger train running between the 2 capitals quite similar to the Red Arrow (however, it doesn’t have its own theme song). The train has both 1st and 2nd class cabins.
First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal while 2nd class is a cabin for 4 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a lunch box.
#26 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:00 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 07:00
Total hours: 08:00
Grand De Lux is the most luxury train operates between Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.
The train has, 1st, Premium, Grand and Grand De Lux class compartments. First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal. Premium cabins are available including everything as in 1st class as well as a WC and sink. There are wardrobe, DVD, TV, condition, internet access, heat and noise insulation, dressing gown, slippers in Grand and Grand De Lux cabin (to travel these classes you have to buy a whole compartment – 2 tickets).
The train has a nice dining car that serves good meals. Also you can order food and drinks to compartment.
#054 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:23 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 08:20
Total hours: 09:00
Moscow Express is a fast train with increased level of service and Moscow. The train has both 1st and 2nd class cabins.
First class consists of a cabin for 2 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a hot meal while 2nd class is a cabin for 4 people including bed linen, a few magazines and a lunch box.
#004 Moscow - Saint – Petersburg
Departure Moscow: 23:59 Daily
Arrival St. Petersburg: 08:00
Total hours: 08:01
For more information see: http://www.expresstorussia.com/train...etersburg.html
Apr 3rd, 2006, 12:43 PM
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We booked thru Amex in Usacheva Ulitsa, nearest metro "Sportivnaya". It was convenient to pick them up from there as it is near Novodevichy Convent and the Georgian Restaurant U Pirosmani, both were on our list of places to visit.
Travelling on the Nikolayevsky Express was a special experience, not least for my other half who had never been to Russia before.
Travelling on the Nikolayevsky Express was a special experience, not least for my other half who had never been to Russia before.
May 10th, 2006, 05:17 AM
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Odin -- Could you give me an email address for Amex? Somewhere I found the following: [email protected]
and I have tried it twice with no answer. Have waited more than a week. Do you have a better email address? I really need it. Thanks.
(When I previewed this, the address comes up double, but of course I didn't use it that way.)
and I have tried it twice with no answer. Have waited more than a week. Do you have a better email address? I really need it. Thanks.
(When I previewed this, the address comes up double, but of course I didn't use it that way.)
May 12th, 2006, 09:34 AM
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I used www.waytorussia.com too. Booked the train before I left the states. Most trains are night trains. The tracks were a little rough. I was in a 4-person room. Don't try to use the toilet on the train until the train starts moving--their locked.
May 12th, 2006, 09:40 AM
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I tried waytorussia. They have several companies to choose from. I tried the one I thought looked the most reasonable. The mark-up on a $146 ticket was an additional $73. This meant for two of us first class train tickets (sleeper) would be $438. Yikes! I'm willing to pay for service, but isn't that a little high? (I feel we need first class mainly so as not to bother others -- we both tend to snore.)
So I'm hoping that the agency Odin recommended might have a little less service fees.
So I'm hoping that the agency Odin recommended might have a little less service fees.
May 12th, 2006, 09:48 AM
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OK, I think I found it. I'll try [email protected] and see if that is the one Odin used.
May 12th, 2006, 12:40 PM
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On another site someone mentioned they used infinity, which i believe (not positive) is www.infinitu.ru i think they had friends who live in russia pick up the tickets for them though. they seemed to pay less than we paid using an agency but we bought before i saw her message. we paid $73 each for a 4 car sleeper one-way ($10 of that was a fee)..i still think you might do better than that with infiniti, but not sure. i think the prices fluctuate depending on time of year/train you take, etc...
May 17th, 2006, 11:41 AM
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Still struggling with this problem. The infinitu website won't come up. I'm hesitant to try waytorussia again due to high markup and the Amex person still hasn't answered my email. Don't know what to try next. Hate to leave it until we get there, but I don't know what else to try.
May 19th, 2006, 02:57 PM
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I tried waytorussia again and chose a different provider. This one had a markup of about 23%, so I decided to bite the bullet and go with that one. If the tickets are delivered to our hotel in Moscow as promised, I will be a happy camper.
Jun 14th, 2006, 01:11 PM
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The company I used thru waytorussia came thru for me big time! When our hotel was changed at the last moment, they brought the tickets to our new hotel without a problem. So I think this is a good website.
