Agent’s Guide to
Booking and Processing
Russian Railways E-Tickets
Table of Contents
1.0 FEATURES ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Booking Horizon ........................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Travel Links ................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Train Types ................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Train Classes ................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.5 Train Routes ................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.6 Train Tickets ................................................................................................................................................. 6
2.0 ELIGIBILITY ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.1 Availability and Train Tickets ........................................................................................................................ 7
2.2 Payment and Booking Issues ........................................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Processing Train Tickets ............................................................................................................................... 7
2.4 Types of Tickets: Children, Less able & Group Booking ................................................................................ 8
2.5 Confirmation of the Booking ........................................................................................................................ 8
3.0 VALIDITY .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
4.0 DISCOUNTS ............................................................................................................................................................................ 9
5.0 CONDITIONS OF USE ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
5.1 Changes to the Booking and Cancellations .................................................................................................. 9
5.2 Lost Tickets ................................................................................................................................................. 10
5.3 Journey Delays ........................................................................................................................................... 10
6.0 GENERAL: Travel Notes .................................................................................................................................................. 10
6.1 Train Facilities ............................................................................................................................................. 10
6.2 Train Culture ............................................................................................................................................... 12
6.3 Sightseeing ................................................................................................................................................. 13
7.0 APPENDIX: ............................................................................................................................................................................ 14
7.1 Table of stations for customers (Cyrillic translations): ............................................................................... 14
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1.0 FEATURES
1.1 Booking Horizon
-
When can customers book their tickets?
-
Tickets will only go on sale 45 days before
date of travel. Therefore, it is not possible
to confirm destinations or issue tickets
more than 45 days before date of travel.
-
Booking on the first day of sale will be the
cheapest possible ticket available, and
then from there, the ticket price will rise
Moscow Train station
depending on the demand for the date.
-
Tickets can be booked online up to 3 hours before the train’s departure from the
passengers boarding station.
1.2 Travel Links
-
What are the main train stations in Moscow & St Petersburg?
-
9 major train stations in Moscow: Belorussky, Kazansky, Yaroslavlsky, Leningradsky,
Kievsky, Paveletsky, Savyolovsky, Kurskiy, Rizhskiy
-
5 major train stations in St Petersburg: Moskovsky, Finlandsky, Varshavsky, Baltiysky,
Vitebsky.
-
See table below for Train destinations, metros, airports - (with Cyrillic translation).
1.3 Train Types
Below are the main types of trains that customers will come across when travelling through
Russia. Next to the title is the Russian name for the train that customers will find on to their
tickets, while the sign next to it is how the trains are visible when booking on ACP RailNet.
-
Firmenny (ФИРМ)
:
-
Modern trains with certain standards of quality
-
Fastest and minimum number of stops
-
Often with specific interior designs, as some towns and cities have their own original
trains proudly representing its heritage.
-
-
Often Spalny Vagon and Kupeny (see 1.2 Train classes) – not always Platskartney
-
Popular trains are the ‘Rossiya’ and ‘Krasnaya Strella’
-
Routes: Russian domestic long distance rail routes.
Skory (СК)
:
-
Express trains
-
More convenient arrival / departure times
-
Minimum number of stops (but more than
Firmeny)
-
Comfortable for long distance routes
-
Routes: Russian domestic long distance
rail routes
Allegro Train
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-
Skorostnoj (СКРСТ)
:
-
High speed seating coaches/trains
-
Not often featured for long distance journeys
-
Most well known trains are the Sapsan and Allegro
-
Routes: St Petersburg to Moscow, or St
Petersburg to Helsinki
-
Passazhursky (ПАСС)
:
-
Passenger trains
-
Great number of stops, therefore the
slowest
-
Will usually have Kupeny and Platskartney
classes – not often Spalny Vagon (see 1.2
Restaurant Carriage in Grand Train
Train classes)
-
Routes: Russian domestic rail routes
1.4 Train Classes
-
Grand Express (re: Moscow to St Petersburg):
A luxury travel option for those who prefer to travel in particular comfort, with a number
of luxurious classes:
-
Grand de Luxe: 5 compartments in a
carriage, also with a small bar in each
carriage. Each compartment is twice as
large as standard compartments, with a
spacious rest room with heated floors
and shower cabin. Comes with hairdryer,
Grand Train 1st class carriage
bathrobes, fresh fruit, sweets, hot breakfast and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Facilities include: air conditioning, wardrobe, armchair, Wi-Fi, LCD TV, DVD player and
an electrical socket.
-
Grand: 6 compartments in each carriage. Each compartment is half the size larger than
the standard compartments, with own
rest room and shower. Comes with
hairdryer, bathrobes, fresh fruit, sweets,
hot breakfast and freshly squeezed
orange juice. Facilities include: air
conditioning, wardrobe, armchair, Wi-Fi,
LCD TV, DVD player and an electrical
socket.
-
Smena 1st class train carriage
Premium: 9 compartments in each carriage,
with wider berths, armchair and wash sink. Ticket also includes hot breakfast. Facilities
include: air conditioning, wardrobe, Wi-Fi, LCD TV and an electrical socket.
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-
Standard (1st & 2nd class re Grand Express only): 9 compartments in each carriage, with
4 berths in 2nd class and 2 berths in 1st class. Facilities include: air conditioning, wardrobe,
Wi-Fi, LCD TV and an electrical socket.
-
Spalny Vagon (aka SV) – 1st class:
-
Large compartments, with privacy and even more comfortable furnishings.
Excellent service and power sockets in each compartment for passenger use
-
2 berth compartments
-
2 lower beds
-
9 compartments per coach
-
These compartments can be locked from the inside, and a customer can request a
guard to lock them from the outside.
-
-
Washroom and toilets at the end of each coach
Kupeny (aka Kupe/Coupe) – 2nd class:
-
Ideal when travelling with 4 people or looking for some comfort and privacy. If
customers have not booked out a whole compartment, other passengers will be
booked into the remaining free seats.
-
4 berth compartments.
-
2 upper and 2 lower beds
-
9 compartments per coach
-
These compartments can be locked from the inside, and a customer can request a
guard to lock them from the outside.
-
Washroom and toilets at the end of each coach
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1.5 Train Routes
REGIONAL TRAINS
-
Moscow to St Petersburg
-
Grand Express
-
The luxury travel option - No finer
way to travel.
-
Takes approximately 9 hours.
Red Arrow
-
One of the most famous trains
Grand Train
between the two cities.
-
Often called the Russian Orient Express, it first travelled in June 1931.
Express
-
One of the newer trains on the
railways.
-
It is best known for its unique
décor.
-
Smena
-
Travelled its first journey from
Moscow in 1984.
-
Red Arrow Train
Has one stop between St
Petersburg and Moscow – in Tver.
-
Sapsan
-
Introduced December 2009
-
Travels up to 250km/h, making it
the fastest way to travel by train
between Moscow and St
Petersburg.
-
1st and 2nd class available – seated
carriages with folding or window
table and onboard Wi-Fi access for
Sapsan Train
1 class.
st
-
Moscow to St Petersburg Pricing
-
RZD have recently introduced dynamic pricing on Moscow to St Petersburg rail
tickets (only applicable for 1st and 2nd class), meaning that the earlier a train ticket
is bought, the cheaper it will be.
-
Ticket prices will be based on the route, season, time of booking in relation to the
departure date, and volume of passengers.
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LONG DISTANCE TRAINS
-
What are the types of long distance trains, and what route do they cover?
-
Many different types of long distance trains, some of which are described above,
such as Passenger, Fast, Skory, or Firmenny train.
-
Many long distance trains travel towards Ural, Siberia and south of Russia.
An example of a typical long distance train:
-
Moscow to Vladivostok (Rossiya)
-
Rossiya launched in 1966 and is the most famous train on the Trans-Siberian.
-
First class cabins have a TV
-
Staff carriage has a shower which can be used for a small fee.
1.6 Train Tickets
Can customers buy tickets on the day?
-
Train tickets are available for
booking up to 24 hours prior to
the train departure.
-
It is recommended to book tickets
in advance meaning that
customers can be sure that they’re
getting the right train, reserved in
the class they prefer, on the day
and at the time they would like to
Lake Baikal in Irkutsk
travel.
-
Can customers get on an earlier train than the train their ticket has specified?
-
Passengers must travel on the
train that is specified by their train
ticket.
-
Therefore a passenger is unable to
get on an earlier train unless they
re-purchase a ticket that would be
specifically valid for travel.
-
Smena Train
Are stopovers allowed in Russia?
-
Yes, however, a customer would
need to buy a separate ticket for
each leg of the journey.
-
If a customer is travelling with
stopovers they need to be
prepared to be flexible with their
schedule as they might not always
find trains on the day.
Train on edge of Lake Baikal
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-
Train times and prices can also change frequently, so there can be no guarantees
that the price of the ticket on the day will be the same as seen online.
-
Are rail passes an option, to allow
customers to hop on and off the train?
-
No rail pass option is available.
-
If planning a multi-leg journey,
customer will need to book each
leg separately.
2.0 ELIGIBILITY
2.1 Availability and Train Tickets
-
Smena Train
What types of ticket are available?
-
Print at home E-registrations (Appears as Russian Railways E-Registration Ticket and
Reservation)
-
Print at station E-tickets (Appears as Russian Railways E-ticket and Reservation)
What is the difference between the two?
-
The Print at home E-registration provides the customer with an email voucher, which
must be presented on the train.
-
The Print at station E-ticket must be exchanged for a train ticket at a ticket collection
machine, using the booking’s confirmation number.
-
When can customers book their tickets?
-
It is only possible to find schedules and issue tickets within 45 days of the travel date
for domestic destinations.
2.2 Payment and Booking Issues
-
What information do I need to get from my
customer to book?
-
Name / Last Name / Passport number
/ DOB / Nationality / Place of birth
(city)
-
Where and when they want to travel
-
How flexible their plans are
-
How many people are travelling
-
Preferences or comments on train/class/delivery
-
Personal details for each passenger
Sapsan Train
2.3 Processing Train Tickets
-
How do I quote a multi-leg journey for a
customer?
-
Each leg of the journey would need to
be calculated separately, as the
customer would require a new ticket
per leg.
Smena Train
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-
-
Which routes and types of train ticket are booked up quickly?
-
Russian domestic rail tickets, as these cover popular routes.
-
Top bunk bed, as sometimes there are discounts for this type of ticket.
How can I guarantee specific seats for a customer?
-
-
There is no guarantee for specific seats until the ticket is issued.
How can I find an alternative route for a customer if the original route is sold out?
Conduct research and try to find the
closest match to the customer’s
request. This might require the
customer to be flexible about type or
class of train, or to consider a
different route.
-
Can I get all tickets on all routes for our
customers?
-
Yes, tickets for all domestic routes are
Train in Moscow
available.
2.4 Types of Tickets: Children, Less able & Group Booking
-
Customers travelling with children:
-
Children can get cheaper tickets. One
adult can take one child up to five
years old free of charge, but they do
not get their own berth.
-
Between 0 – 5 years old, at the time
of travelling, the ticket is free.
-
Between 5 - 10 years old, at the time
of travelling, the tickets cost up to
Children in Russia
50% of the adult ticket price, but they do get their own berth
-
The child must have a valid ticket for their age, as the time of travelling, and
not just at the time of booking.
-
When boarding the train, the child must have their own passport, be listed in their
parent’s passport, or have a copy and translation of their birth certificate. If the child
is listed in their parent’s passport then this must include a photograph of the child to
allow them to board.
-
Customer travelling in a group:
-
You can only book up to 4 tickets at
any one time.
2.5 Confirmation of the Booking
-
How long will a booking take to be
confirmed?
-
Group bookings
A confirmation will be received upon completion of the booking.
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.
3.0 VALIDITY
-
What will a valid ticket cover?
-
A specific seat on a specific train for a
domestic rail journey in Russia.
4.0 DISCOUNTS
-
When are Discounts available for customers?
-
At times, RZD launch 20 - 50% discount
Smena Train
during booking periods, which normally fall during important Russian national
holidays.
-
Child discounts normally applicable on Russian domestic rail tickets.
-
No discount on Russian domestic rail tickets for foreign students, seniors or groups.
-
Discounts would be publicised online when one is available.
5.0 CONDITIONS OF USE
5.1 Changes to the Booking and Cancellations
-
Can a passenger be refused from boarding?
-
RZD have the right to refuse entry and to disembark a passenger if the customer
is drunk or disturbing other
passengers, does not have the correct
documentation for boarding,
including if the passport number does
not match that visible on the e-ticket.
-
Can the customer cancel the tickets they
have already purchased and get a refund?
-
In some circumstances, if a customer
would like to cancel their ticket, they
Moscow Metro
can get a refund. However, this outcome varies greatly on the length of time left
before travel, the type of ticket purchased and if their ticket has already been
issued.
-
Any change to the ticket booked, such as cancelling or changing dates or
passport number or name, to be done through the cancellation policy only.
-
The cancellation policy: Russian train e-tickets and e-registrations can be
cancelled up to 24 hours before the train departs. A penalty fee will apply. There
is no refund possible within 24 hours of the train departure.
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-
What happens if the customer needs to
change their seat or upgrade?
-
Upon boarding the train, it is not
possible for a passenger to upgrade
their accommodation.
5.2 Lost Tickets
-
What happens if a customer misses their
City of Moscow
train or loses their ticket?
-
If a customer has lost or damaged
their ticket, the customer would need
to purchase a new ticket, as it is not
possible to issue a replacement
ticket.
5.3 Journey Delays
-
What happens if a customer has been left
Shuttle Train
by the train?
-
They should notify the station manager straight away, in case he is able to extend
the validity of their ticket, as well as contact the train manager – who will leave
their belongings at the next station. The customer may be required to purchase a
new valid ticket.
6.0 GENERAL: Travel Notes
6.1 Train Facilities
-
RZD
-
Largest Train Company in Russia.
-
Second largest network in the world with over 85,000km of track
-
Carries over 950 million passengers
a year over 11 time zones
-
The general partner of Sochi 2014
Winter Olympics and Paralympics
-
What about time zone differences?
-
RZD cover 11 time zones – all
tickets are quoted in Moscow time.
-
In cities outside of Moscow time
Moscow Bridge
zone, normally there are two clocks
that shows the time as on the train ticket (i.e Moscow time), and also local time
that the train would use to depart.
-
Is there food and drink on the train?
-
Often a trolley with bottled water, drinks and snacks
-
For long distance trains there is often a restaurant car
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-
-
A samovar provided at the end of each carriage for hot water for drinks
-
It is possible to buy provisions from vendors at the stations along the way
What are the bathroom facilities like?
-
Basic toilet and sink for washing
-
Can get very dirty on a long journey
-
Recommended that customers take a hand towel and bottle of water with them
for brushing teeth rather than using the tap water
-
Can customers smoke on the train?
-
Yes but not in cabin or corridor
areas
-
Only in designated areas, often in
passenger areas between carriages
-
Is there a luggage allowance limit for
passengers?
-
Yes, each passenger has the right to
carry up to 36kg of hand luggage,
Moscow Business City
not more than 180cm in each dimension.
-
These restrictions do not apply to handbags, skis, fishing equipment, kayaks,
cameras, umbrellas, and other small or obscure items.
-
It is possible to carry bigger items in the baggage car of the train. In order to do
this, you need to purchase a special ticket before the train departs.
-
What sort of things should a customer consider taking with them on an overnight or
long distance train?
-
Light clothes – as the trains can be warm, although would recommend to take
some warmer clothes also as if air con is on the trains can be much cooler.
-
Toiletries
-
Bottled water
-
Savoury snacks
-
Flip-flops
-
Carrier bags for rubbish
-
Personal first aid kit
-
Plug adaptor for Europe
-
Feminine hygiene products - difficult to find on a train, and not easy to ask, so
would recommend to always bring in your luggage.
-
-
-
How much money should a customer allow for the train? (approximate price guide)
-
Meals cost on average 500 RUB per meal
-
Showering can cost 100 - 150 RUB per shower
-
Snacks cost ~ 50 RUB per snack
How many bathrooms are in a carriage?
-
2 bathrooms per carriage – one at each end – with a toilet and a sink.
-
These may or may not have a shower.
Are there showers in the cabins?
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-
There are often no showers in the cabins themselves, so the customer can ask the
conductor to allow them to take a shower in another carriage for approximately
150 RUB.
-
In some trains there are no showers available at all.
What kind of meals can be bought on the train?
-
A range of meals are available, from refreshments to more complex meals
(including the occasional vegetarian option).
-
What is the cost approximately per meal?
-
-
It is roughly 500 RUB /£10 per meal.
Can customers bring refreshments with them on the train?
-
Yes – the best food to take with them would be dry stodgy foods, as well as
bottled water and any other supplies.
-
When the train stops, can travellers get off the train and buy supplies at the station?
-
Yes, travellers can leave the train and buy food from vendors, with snacks costing
around 30-50 RUB (about £1). Be careful with hopping on and off the train, as the
trains only stop for 5-20minutes. It will not wait for passengers so be sure to get
back on the train before you hear the hissing!
-
Are there any mini fridges on the train for customers to keep their food and drink, or
the option to cook their own meals?
-
There are no places available to store food or water, other than being with their
belongings; and no cooking facilities on the train.
-
Are pets allowed on the train?
-
Pets are allowed on the train, but either in the baggage cars (where a cage and
tray are required), or in some passenger carriages under certain regulations.
6.2 Train Culture
-
How can a customer find the station, their train
or the carriage?
-
-
See appendix for info below
How does a customer read a Russian train
ticket?
-
-
See appendix for info below
What are gender specific cabins?
-
Some train cabins allow for single gender
booking, provided they are available at
the time of purchasing tickets.
-
Is travelling by train safe?
St Basils Cathedral
-
Millions of people travel safely every year
-
There are one to two conductors per carriage, keeping watch 24 hours a day
-
Every passenger must have ticket checked and present a passport to board the
train.
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-
-
Most trains have police teams on board
-
The train gets thoroughly checked at each stop to ensure no minor damage
Can customers travel with children?
-
-
How many compartments in a carriage?
-
-
See section above for travelling with children.
9 compartments per coach in 1st and 2nd class
Is there Wi-Fi available?
-
There is usually no Wi-Fi available on the trains. If a customer needs to work and
need access to the internet, then we would recommend that they purchase a
dongle; which should give them internet access as they travel.
6.3 Sightseeing
-
Where would be the highlights to visit in
Russia?
-
The most popular destinations in
Russia after Moscow and St
Petersburg are (in no order):
Irkutsk (for Lake Baikal), the
ancient Golden Ring (for Sergiev
Vladivostok Coastline Landscape
Posad, Yaroslavl, Kostroma,
Ivanovo, Suzdal, Vladimir), Vladivostok, Nizhny Novgorod, Ulan Ude, and
Yekaterinburg.
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7.0 APPENDIX:
7.1 Table of stations for customers (Cyrillic translations):
-
What are the main train stations in Moscow & St Petersburg, and what are the main
destinations from these train stations?
Main Stations in
Moscow
Metro
Airport
Main destinations
Kaliningrad, Lithuania,
Belorussky –
Белорусский
Belorusskaya –
Белорусская
Sheremetievo щереметьево
Belarus, Poland,
Germany, the Czech
Republic and Latvia.
Kazansky –
Komsomolskaya –
Казанский
Комсомольская
Yaroslavlsky –
Komsomolskaya –
Ярославлский
Комсомольская
Leningradsky –
Komsomolskaya –
Ленинградский
Комсомольская
Kievsky –
Kievskaya –
Киевский
Paveletsky –
Domodedovo Домодедово
Domodedovo Домодедово
Domodedovo Домодедово
Central Asia, Ryzan, Ufa,
Samara and
Novorossiisk.
Siberia, the Russian Far
East, Mongolia and
China.
Estonia, Finland, St.
Petersburg and Northwestern Russia.
Sheremetievo /
Western Ukraine
and South-eastern
Киевская
Domodedovo /
– щереметьево /
Домодедово
Павелецкий
Paveletskaya Павелецкая
Domodedovo Домодедово
Savelovsky –
Savelovskaya –
Савеловский
Савеловская
Sheremetievo щереметьево
Kurskiy –
Курский
Курская / Чкаловская
Rizhskiy –
Rizhskaya –
Рижский
Рижская
Voronezh, Tambov,
Volgograd and
Astrakhan.
Kostroma, Cherepovets
and Vologda.
Southern Russia,
Kurskaya/Chkalovskay
a stations –
Europe.
Domodedovo Домодедово
Caucasus nations,
Eastern Ukraine, and
Crimea.
Sheremetievo щереметьево
Latvia, Velikie Luki,
Volokolamsk, Sebezh
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Main Stations in
St Petersburg
Metro
Airport
Ploshchad Vosstania /
Moskovsky –
Mayakovskaya –
Московский
Площадь Восстания/
Маяковская
Pulkovo пулково
Main destinations
Moscow, Far North,
Central Asia, Crimea,
and the Caucuses.
Helsinki and other
Finlandsky –
Ploshchad Lenina –
Финландский
Площадь Ленина
Pulkovo пулково
destinations in the
north western area
such as Murmansk.
Pskov, the Baltic states
Varshavsky –
Варшавский
Baltiyskaya –
Балтийская
Pulkovo пулково
of Latvia, Lithuania and
Estonia, and Eastern
Europe.
Baltiysky –
Baltiyskaya –
Балтийский
Балтийская
Pulkovo пулково
Local and suburban
services only generally
by elektrichka.
Poland, Belarus
Vitebsky –
Pushkinskaya –
Витебский
Пушкинская
Pulkovo пулково
including Minsk,
Ukraine including Kiev
and Odessa.
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