Overnight Trains
High-speed Trains in Russia
Local Suburban Trains
Overnight Train Photos
Suburban Train Photos

Overnight Trains
Compared to the coach journey, overnight train transport is much quicker, more comfortable and also more cost-effective, as travellers save both time for their daytime activities and money on hotel accommodation. And on Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian railroad journeys a train will be your primary accommodation for a number of days.

On our tours we use comfortable 4 berth compartments; however upgraded 2 berth compartments are also available. There is little difference between 1st and 2nd Class other than the number of berths in the compartments, and slightly more space in 1st Class.

Carriages usually contain nine compartments and are served by two attendants (conductors). Clean linen, including sheets, towels, blankets and pillows, is provided for each berth. The compartments also have personal reading lights, a big window and a small table. There is ample storage space for luggage within the compartment. The 2 bottom bunks can be lifted for access to storage. There are also overhead racks for additional luggage.

There are facilities in every carriage for hot water for drinks, and a basic but adequate bathroom at each end of each carriage. The bathroom contains a sink with running water and a toilet; most trains do not have shower facilities. Hot water is always available. Cabins can be locked from the inside, and attendants keep a very close eye on what is happening in their carriage. As a result, trains are one of the safest means of travel within Russia

Note on train schedule in Russia
Please note, the Russian railways system operates according to Moscow time, so your train tickets will show arrival and departure time according to Moscow and time difference can be as big as seven hours. In our final joining instructions we always indicate local time to avoid any confusions, please ask your local guide for reconfirmation in case of any doubts.

Time difference in Russia
Moscow – Kazan	+0 hours
Moscow – Perm	+2 hours
Moscow – Yekaterinburg	+2 hours
Moscow – Novosibirsk	+3 hours
Moscow – Tomsk	+4 hours
Moscow – Irkutsk	+5 hours
Moscow – Ulan-Ude	+5 hours
Moscow – Khabarovsk	+7 hours
Moscow – Vladivostok	+7 hours

Note on 1 class travel (Trans-Mongolian journeys):
Train 362 / 361 Irkutsk – Ulan-Bator: no 1st class available. If you have upgraded your train journey and requested 1st class we will buyout the whole 4 berth compartment for you, so you will have your privacy and comfort.

Train 24 / 23 Ulan-Bator – Beijing: 1st class compartments on this train have one lower and one upper berth. Please make sure either you or your travel companion will be comfortable when occupying an upper berth, otherwise opt for a second class on this leg of the journey or request a 4 berth compartment buyout (this options is more expensive).

High-speed Trains in Russia
The Strategy for Developing Rail Transport by 2030 adopted by the Russian Railways provides for investment in high-speed rail (up to 350 kmh) connection within the country offering quicker and more comfortable way of transport. High-speed railroad will link Moscow, St Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Helsinki, and then will be developed in the Far East, on the Volga, and in the Southern Russia connecting Moscow with Sochi.

The Russians have formed a partnership with Siemens - a well-known German industrial manufacturer and in December 2009 a first high-speed train Sapsan was launched between Moscow and St. Petersburg reducing travel time to just 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Local Suburban Trains
Local trains in Russia are usually called “elektrichka” which is an informal word for electrical passenger train. They are widespread both in Russia and Ukraine, as well as in some other countries of the former USSR. Elektrichka is always an overhead line-fed electrical train, consisting of several carriages, with a driver's cab at both ends. Each carriage has four automatic doors with two on each side. Long-haul suburban trains usually have bio-toilets installed.

The Russian Railways are currently introducing modern trains on suburban network offering more comfort for the passengers like soft seats (instead of simple benches), adjustable backrests and information panels in the carriages.

Local trains is the key method of suburban transport for mega cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg, especially given heavy city congestion during rush hours.

Overnight Train Photos
Read more details about most popular trains in Russia, Mongolia and China.

Suburban Train Photos
Read more details about most popular trains in Russia, Mongolia and China.