Russia has the third largest rail system in the world, next only to China and the US.
Russian Railways, one of the biggest companies in the world, regulates the whole rail network, which has a total length of 86,000 kilometers and crosses 11 time zones.
Trains in Russia can be categorized into three types: overnight trains, high-speed trains, and luxury trains. Each type includes several kinds of trains with different names, based on the routes.
Being in operation since 2009, the Sapsan high-speed train was the first high-speed train in Russia, running between Moscow and St. Petersburg, and taking approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
This type of train is modern and well-maintained, and has a top speed of 250 kph (155 miles per hour). Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire train.
This is like a small conference room on the train, with a lockable door.
There are four adjustable seats, a sofa, a table, lights, power sockets, and audio and video outputs in each cabin. Free Wi-Fi is available. It is the perfect choice for business travelers.
The seats are arranged in a 1+2 formation across the coach. They are adjustable and equipped with folding tables, reading lights, and power sockets.
Wi-Fi is available. A complimentary meal and a soft drink are provided.
The seats are arranged in a 2+2 formation across the coach. Each seat is adjustable and equipped with a reading light and a power socket. Free Wi-Fi is available.
The seats are either arranged in a 2+2 formation across the coach or four seats around a table. Each seat is adjustable and equipped with a reading light and a power socket.
Meals and drinks are not included in economy class. Food can be bought in the restaurant car at an extra cost.
Allegro high-speed trains run between Helsinki and St. Petersburg, with a top speed of 220 kph (135 miles per hour). The journey takes just 3 hours and 30 minutes between the two cities.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire train. There are business class seats, economy class seats, and a restaurant car on each train.
Each Allegro train has business class and economy class. They are the same as those on Sapsan high-speed trains.
The Lastochka high-speed trains have a top speed of 160 kph (99 miles per hour). They link some major cities in Russia, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny, and Novgorod.
This type of train has five cars and only second class seats are available. There is no restaurant car on the train but you can buy snacks and drinks from the trolley on board.
Toilets are available in the first and fifth cars, with facilities for disabled passengers.
The seats in second class are arranged in a 3+2 formation across the coach, with some of them being positioned face-to-face. Seats for wheelchair users are available in the first and fifth cars.
The Rossiya (also called ‘train 001/002’) runs between Moscow and Vladivostok on the world-famous and longest Trans-Siberian Railway.
This is a comfortable train with modern and well-maintained facilities. It only departs on odd days and it takes 7 days to cross two continents and 90 cities.
The Rossiya is air-conditioned with three classes of sleepers. There is a restaurant car on the train serving freshly-cooked meals. Boiling water is available. There is a bathroom at the end of each car.
This is the most luxurious and expensive class on the Rossiya overnight train.
All the compartments are lockable and the facilities include two beds, a table, a wardrobe, a power socket, and a television. Complimentary meals are provided.
There are four berths (two lower berths and two upper berths) in a private compartment, with a lockable door and a small table.
There are four berths (two lower berths and two upper berths) in an open compartment, which doesn’t have a door.
Across the aisle, there are also two side beds, which are parallel to the hallway. The lower side bed can be transformed into a table by the window with two seats.
The Enisey Trans-Siberian train runs between Krasnoyarsk and Moscow, taking 60 hours to cover 4,000 kilometers. This train consists of 16 cars, all of which are air-conditioned.
This is the most luxurious and expensive class on the Enisey overnight train.
All the compartments are lockable and the facilities include two beds, a table, a wardrobe, a power socket, and a television. Complimentary meals are provided.
There are four berths (two lower berths and two upper berths) in a private compartment, with a lockable door and a small table.
There are four berths (two lower berths and two upper berths) in an open compartment, which doesn’t have a door.
Across the aisle, there are also two side beds, which are parallel to the hallway. The lower side bed can be transformed into a table by the window with two seats.
The first double-decker train commenced operation in 2013 between Moscow and Sochi.
In 2015, a new double-decker sleeper train started operating between Moscow and St. Petersburg, taking around 8 hours to travel between the two cities.
Each train has sleeper cars, with a car for disabled passengers. They are well-maintained and comfortable. There is a restaurant car providing freshly-cooked meals and coffee.
Other convenient features include power sockets in each car, air-conditioning, and individual reading lights. Steps connect the two stories at the end of each car.
Each train has second class sleepers. Each private compartment has four berths (two upper berths and two lower berths), with a lockable door. Toilets are available at the end of each car.
Making its debut in 1931, the Red Arrow is a luxurious overnight train running between Moscow and St. Petersburg. It has the longest history of trains in Russia.
Nowadays, this train is a symbol of the Russian railway. It has a modern and exquisite interior, and offers the best service in Russia. Wi-Fi is available on board.
This is the best class on board. The deluxe compartments are the largest. There are two berths in a private compartment, providing the most privacy and comfort.
Amenities include a private shower and toilet, a table, and a television.
Just like the deluxe class compartments, the first class compartments are also private with a lockable door.
There are two berths (two lower berths or a lower berth and an upper berth) in each compartment. There is a foldable table and individual reading lights are available.
Toilets are available at the end of each car.
There are four berths (two lower and two upper berths) in a private compartment, which has a sliding door.
Other facilities in the compartment include individual reading lights, a foldable table, and luggage racks. Toilets are available at the end of each car.
Known as the “hotel on wheels”, the Grand Express is a luxurious overnight train operated by a private company.
Running on the Moscow – St. Petersburg line, this train provides an unparalleled travel experience and exceptional service.
The train has Wi-Fi throughout. Complimentary coffee, tea, mineral water, toiletries, and slippers are provided.
This is the most luxurious cabin on board. The space is twice that of an ordinary cabin.
There are two berths (one lower berth and one upper berth), a sofa, a private shower, and a toilet in the compartment.
Individual access to air-conditioning, a television, a safe-deposit box, and a power socket are also available. In addition, a shaving razor, bed linens, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and slippers are provided.
The compartment is only available as a complete unit. It can accommodate two adults and a child (a child younger than 10 years old travels free of charge).
The Grand Deluxe cabin is twice the size of an ordinary cabin.
Two berths (a lower berth and an upper berth), a private shower, a toilet, a sofa, a television, and a safe-deposit box are available in the private compartment. Toiletries are also available.
The compartment is only available as a complete unit. It can accommodate two adults and a child (a child younger than 10 years old travels free of charge).
The Grand cabin is 1½ times the size of an ordinary one. Apart from its size, it is the same as a Grand Deluxe cabin.
The Grand double compartment has two berths (a lower berth and an upper berth), and can accommodate two adults plus a child.
The Grand single cabin has one berth and can accommodate one adult plus a child.
The compartment is only available as a complete unit.
There are either one or two berths in a private compartment, which has a lockable door.
There is a washbasin in the compartment and a toilet is available at the end of the car. A sofa, television, safe-deposit box, and toiletries are provided.
The compartment is only available as a complete unit.
This sleeping compartment has two lower berths and a lockable door. A sofa, television, safe-deposit box, and toiletries are provided. A toilet is located at the end of the car.
Business class tickets are sold separately so you might share a compartment with other passengers.
This is the same as business class but the compartment is smaller and the berths are narrower.
There are four berths are in a private compartment: two lower berths and two upper berths. The other facilities are the same as first class.
This luxurious overnight train is named after the famous Russian author Leo Tolstoy.
It runs daily between the capital of Russia, Moscow, and Finland’s capital, Helsinki, with a stop at St. Petersburg. The journey takes approximately 15 hours to cross 1,073 kilometers (667 miles).
A nice dining car is on the train providing coffee and freshly-cooked meals. Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire train.
A VIP cabin is the most luxurious type on board, with two berths and a sofa in the compartment.
A lockable door, a private shower and toilet, a television, a power socket, and access to individual air-conditioning are also available. A VIP cabin can accommodate two adults and a child.
First class is a private two-berth compartment with comfortable amenities that include a small table, access to individual air-conditioning, a television, and a power socket.
There are four berths (two lower berths and two upper berths) in a private compartment, which has a lockable door. A power socket is also available.
This train journey mixes together Asian and European cultures, providing splendid landscapes.
There are two trains running between China and Russia including Trans-Mongolian Railway.
International train tickets for the Trans-Siberian can be bought in China, Mongolia and Russia.
