Way to Russia Talk Lounge

mcclelm · Just Starting Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2

Hi.. is it worth it to pay the extra money (almost double) for a first class seat on the train or is there not much difference from economy. My experience in Europe is it is NOT worth the extra money. You get a bit more space - but not much more - and it seems to be sometimes just a wee bit quiter - but not always. Advice would be great!

Alyona · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 9:28 am Post subject:

In Ru u'd buy only tickets "SV" (CB in cirillic) - or "kupee" class.
2d class (palatzkart) or general class can be unpleasant surprise, but it's depends. Classes of so called "express-train" looks rather similar, but this train tickets r more expensive.

WayToRussia · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 11:53 pm Post subject:

1st class is SV - 2 berth kupe (compartment). It is worth buying if you want to be alone in the train. 2nd class, 4-berth kupe may have unpleasant surprises if you travel along the Trans-SIberian for a long time (you might have neighbors and feel a bit stuck with them), 3rd class - platzcart - a common carriage where you still have compartments, but no doors, and a bit less space. This might be a good option for those who want to meet people or women who want to feel protected (because there's no risk of having bad neighbors, as there will always be other people who might help you to be left alone).

There's also a train between Moscow and St. Petersburg with seats, and in some other cities too, but 1st class is not worth paying more there. 2nd is better and it's still a lot of space.

ashton · Lounge Lizard Joined: 08 Apr 2004 Posts: 80 Location: US

My opinion is that the first class ticket is well worth it. Depending on how far you are traveling, it makes the difference between a good trip and an awful trip. I am not really a train kind of person, so for me, I will only go first class. Any time that I have ever had to go second class I hated it. My advice would be to take the first class tickets especially if you are traveling a long distance.

Miami · WayToRussified Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 332

In Russia, I have travelled on several different kinds of train cars. Sleeping cars with bunk beds, regular seats like a bus or airplane would have, private rooms with facing benches and a table in the middle, and open seating cars with benches and seats and tables and stuff. I think they're all about the same price, but I don't remember for sure.