Russia is a vast country and major cities are well spread out with large tracts of countryside or forest in between them. Flights are expensive and roads can be slow and sometimes uncomfortable. For most Russians faced with a long journey there is only one choice: the train.
Moscow has several huge stations which serve as points of departure for all parts of Russia and what was once the Soviet Union. Until recently you had to buy your tickets in person at the station but now you can beat the queues when book your tickets for
train moscow st petersburg online at www.russiantrains.com. This is an especially good idea in summer when places between Moscow and St Petersburg, and other large cities become booked up quickly. After booking like this you need to collect your tickets from the station when you arrive and you are off!
Due to the long distances involved, night trains are a great idea for the traveler. The trains can be 25 carriages long and travel steadily through the night arriving at their destination the next day or several days later depending on the journey. In a typical carriage a corridor runs from end to end and it is divided into 6 sections which each contain enough space for 6 people to sleep. The bunks are two up and two down facing each other and two additional bunks one above the other on the opposite side of the corridor. In the day most people stay on the lower levels, reading, chatting or dozing but as night draws in, its time to get out the bedding rolls provided for each passenger. These contain a small mattress, a sheet and a pillow which make the bunks more comfortable. Each carriage is looked after by its own "Provodnitsa" who keeps a samovar of hot water available at all times. You can buy hot drinks from her or simply make your own if you take a few teabags or some coffee and a cup. You'll find a toilet, washing facilities and a rubbish bin at the end of each carriage but be aware that the toilets are locked an hour before arriving at your destination.
During your journey the train makes a few longer stops and often the local inhabitants will come to the station to sell freshly cooked food, souvenirs or locally produced goods. After one of these stops it's not unusual to see people getting back on the train with last minute gifts for the family, glassware, tea sets, soft toys, you name it! Traveling by train here is a unique experience and drifting off to sleep to the hypnotic sound of the clickety-clack of the train on the tracks is not to be missed.
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