FAQ

Electronic registration is undertaken in the absence of information about the train and the carriage: “Train without electronic registration. Attention: It is necessary to obtain a ticket at a ticket office in Russia.”

Since 1 December 2013, electronic registration has become available when booking an electronic ticket for travel from any station along the entire train route.

To board a train anywhere along the train’s entire route, it is sufficient for the passenger to present an electronic ticket (boarding coupon) printed on paper (A4 format) or its image on the screen of a mobile device to the carriage conductor, as well as the passenger’s identity document as indicated on the electronic ticket.

Go to the section "My orders" and print out the control coupon of your electronic ticket. You can then present it to your accounting department.

In accordance with Order No. 322 issued by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on 21 August 2012, the control coupon is a strict reporting document and is used for settlements using payment cards without the use of cash registers.

Electronic registration is undertaken:

• In the absence of information about the train and the carriage: “Train without electronic registration. Attention! It is necessary to obtain a ticket at a ticket office in Russia”;
• during the procedure for ordering electronic tickets after the “Payment” stage, simultaneously for all the passengers specified on the order;
• repeated at any other time on your account;
• both simultaneously for all passengers specified on the order, and for individual electronic tickets on the order.

ОYou can cancel your electronic registration no later than 1 hour before the train’s departure from the initial station of the route:

• through your personal account on the site or in the app in the section “My orders” (click on “Request ticket status”, if the status is “Electronic registration undertaken,” the link “Cancel electronic registration” will be available) or
• by obtaining a paper ticket on the territory of the Russian Federation at the cashier’s office or a self-service terminal.

Only with the bank cards PC “Mir”, Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard or Maestro. There are no other methods of payment.

The security of the payment procedure is ensured by the use of SSL traffic encryption.

The time allocated to make a decision on an order payment and enter the bank card details is 12 minutes. If this time is exceeded, the order is cancelled.

More details about paying for electronic tickets

First of all go to the section “My orders” and make sure that the order has in fact not gone through.

If this is the case, we recommend that you order once again. Blocked funds for an incomplete order will be returned to your card within 24 hours.

In the event of disputes regarding the deduction of funds when paying for electronic tickets, it is necessary to approach the bank which issued your card (the telephone number is on the reverse side of your card). VTB24 (PAO) is an acquiring bank (which provides a service for conducting operations performed using payment cards), Tel. 8-800-100-24-24.

No. On the website of Russian Railways, only electronic tickets are issued with simultaneous payment.

No! On the website of Russian Railways you can buy tickets at the same price as at the ticket offices, without any extra charges and fees.

Tariffs for the range of services offered on carriages in trains operated by the Federal Passenger Company (2017)

Service packages:

Standard - a package of services on trains that are not part of the group of trains providing a minimum range of services;
Minimal - a package of services on trains belonging to a group of trains providing a minimum range of services;
Choice of food - a package of services on trains with a choice of diet.

Payment for the use of a set of bed linen

*On tickets and e-tickets:

- the payment for using a set of bed linen is indicated by “У0”
- the range of services is indicated by “У1 ... .7” – depending on the amount of food provided

Tariffs for services on the trains operated by the Directorate of High-Speed Communications (2017)

This is how the ticketing system works. The fare on ticket services departing from Ukraine is not displayed until immediately before payment.

Unfortunately, the website does not allow confirming such tickets outbound from stations located in Ukraine.

It is due to exchange rate differences. The fare on international services:

• with the CIS countries, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Abkhazia is expressed in Swiss francs;
• with European countries (non-CIS), in euros.

The fare is paid on the website in Russian rubles at the official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation as of the day of e-ticket confirmation.

Online check-in is available for the following train services (throughout the train itinerary):

• Nos. 781/782, 783/784, 785/786, 787/788 Allegro Saint Petersburg – Helsinki – Saint Petersburg;
• No. 32/31 Leo Tolstoy Moscow – Helsinki – Moscow;
• No. 9/10 Polonaise Moscow – Warsaw – Moscow;
• No. 13/14 Moscow – Berlin – Moscow;
• No. 17/18 Moscow – Nice – Moscow;
• No. 21/22 Moscow – Prague – Moscow;
• No. 23/24 Moscow – Paris – Moscow;
• For train services between Russia and Abkhazia, Russia and Belarus, Russia and Latvia, Russia and Lithuania, Russia and Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Moldova, Russia and Tajikistan, Russia and Uzbekistan, Russia and Estonia.

More details of online check-in for international train services

Ticketing policy is the same as for domestic train services. Yet the ticket for an international train service can only be obtained from international ticket offices in Russia. The only exception is tickets for train services between Russia and Finland, which are also available from self-service ticket machines.

When boarding a train that runs between Russia and Latvia/Belarus:

• you must produce your passport (or any other ID document used for verification purposes to confirm your e-ticket);
• you should preferably carry a print out of your e-ticket with a boarding pass (A4).

When boarding an international train service (with non-CIS countries), you must produce:

• your passport (or any other ID document used for verification purposes to confirm your ticket);
• your e-ticket with a boarding pass (print out or on the screen of your cell phone).

In this case, you must obtain a paper ticket and produce it together with the document specified therein when boarding the train.

Either on the website or at an international ticket office in Russia.

Ticket returns abroad are subject to the production of a paper ticket previously obtained in the Russian Federation. That said, only seat returns are possible; refund policy is as follows:

If a ticket was issued for travel to the CIS countries and the Baltic states or Abkhazia, you must go to a ticket office in Russia within six months of the train departure date and produce:

• seat return form;
• your unused ticket;
• the passenger’s identity document.

If a ticket was issued for travel to non-CIS countries, you must go to an international ticket office in Russia within one month of the train departure date and submit:

• your ticket marked as unused (specifying the passenger’s inquiry date and time);
• a refund application.

More details of returns of e-tickets for international train services

In the case of ticket returns for train services with the CIS countries and the Baltic states, as well as Abkhazia, refundable are:

• if at least 24 hours before the train is due to depart, the fare consisting of the ticket price and third class fare;
• if between 6 and 24 hours before the train is due to depart, the ticket price and 50% of third class fare;
• if less than 6 hours before the train is due to depart yet not more than one hour after the train departs from the passenger’s boarding station or due to illness/accident within 10 full days from the expiry of documentary evidence, the ticket price. Third class fare is non-refundable in these cases.

In the case of ticket returns for train services with non-CIS countries:

• at least 6 hours before the train is due to depart, the fare is fully refundable;
• less than 6 hours before the train departure time specified in the travel document, the fare is non-refundable.

The amount of the fee charged for e-ticket refunds:

• in respect of train services with the CIS countries and the Baltic states, as well as Abkhazia, 203 rubles and 50 kopecks per seat;
• in respect of train services with non-CIS countries, EUR 10 per seat (in Russian rubles at the exchange rate set by the Central Bank as of the refund day).

More details of returns of e-tickets for international train services.

Only full and child fares are available from the website of Russian Railways as regards the issue of e-tickets for train services running at global prices, including train No. 23/24 Moscow – Paris. Special fares (Junior, Senior, Family, etc.) are available from ticket offices only.

The technical capability of solving this issue is currently being explored.

The technology of selling tickets is a complex production process.

In accordance with Paragraph 13 of the “Rules for the Carriage of Passengers, Baggage, and Cargo Luggage by Rail” (approved by Order No. 473 of Russia’s Ministry of Transport on 19 December 2013), tickets for long-distance daily passenger trains go on sale at least 45 days prior to train departure.

Taking into account the wishes of passengers and the high demand for transportation by high-speed Sapsan trains, the carrier has increased the time tickets go on sale to 90-120 days before departure. Availability of advance tickets.

The technology for the sale of travel documents is a complex process.

Pursuant to Article 13 of the “Rules of Carriage for Passengers, Luggage and Freight Baggage on Rail Transport” (approved by Order No. 473 of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated 19.12.2013), tickets for regular long-haul passenger trains may be purchased no earlier than 45 days prior to the departure date.

Passenger feedback and the high demand for tickets on Sapsan trains have prompted the carrier to take the decision to increase this period to 90 days.

In accordance with Order No. 431-t/1 of the Federal Tariff Service dated 14 December 2010, pricing on Sapsan high-speed trains is determined on the basis of a market economy, and the state is not involved in regulation activities in respect of the reimbursement of the carrier’s outlays. The pricing policy aims to increase traffic volumes. It depends on the time spent on the platform prior to departure, the popularity of the given route (determined with the use of retrospective indicators) and the current market demand for transport on a given train for each service class.

When booking a ticket online at the website pаss.rzd.ru, the prices of available tickets are for reference only and represent the cost as of the time of viewing. High demand dictates that ticket prices go up in the first few minutes after sale is opened. This typically occurs on Sapsan trains that depart on peak travel days (Fridays, Sundays and the days surrounding public holidays). The Dynamic Pricing and Demand Stimulation (DPDS) subsystem assesses the current population density at the time of booking and cones up with the final ticket price.

The final price is quoted after a seat has been selected at the “Confirm Booking” stage. The user can then either agree to the quoted price or exit the booking system. If the user agrees to the price, s/he checks the box at the bottom of the page. By doing so, s/he also agrees to the terms of travel and the rules for issuing electronic tickets. Failure to check the box will make it impossible to proceed to the payment section.

For the purposes of transparency, visitors to the Russian Railways website are made away that ticket prices may change during the booking process.

Information about the pricing and marketing policy can be found on the official Russian Railways website at pаss.rzd.ru in the “Fares on the Sapsan Train” section.

JSC Russian Railways offers passengers over the age of 60 a special Senior discount of 30% for travel on Sapsan trains at the time of booking.

From 1 September 2016, passengers aged between 10 and 21 are eligible for the Junior discount of 30% for travel on Sapsan trains at the time of booking.

Passengers of all ages who wish to book round-trip tickets will be offered a special Return discount. This special offer gives a discount of 20% on the “return” portion of the trip, while the “one-way” portion is charged at full price.

Tickets under these special offers may be purchased at all sales points, including the official Russian Railways website.

Single passenger tickets for two adjacent seats (with a discount of 50% for the second seat) may be purchased at the time of departure under the special Single discount. Age restrictions do not apply to this discount. These discounted fares are only available in person at ticket offices.

Passengers on Sapsan high-speed trains can use their Universal travel or electronic card to get a discount of 10% on the current ticket price.

Passengers on Sapsan high-speed trains can apply for the Business travel or electronic card. Further information on tariff plans and the conditions of use can be found in the Business Travelcard section of the website.

More information on the Directorate’s marketing and pricing policy can be found on the official Russian Railways website in the “Fares on the Sapsan Train” section.

Please note! Several special and general tariff plans (Full Price, Child Ticket, Child Ticket [travelling on same seat as an adult], Senior, Junior, Return, Travelcards, Electronic Cards, Business Travelcards) can be used simultaneously in a single booking when purchasing more than one electronic ticket on Sapsan trains. Only one special or general tariff can be applied per passenger. Discounts only apply to the price of the ticket; the service charge amount remains the same.

Unused travel documents may be returned for a refund in the following cases:

1. When returning unused electronic tickets:

• less than one hour before the train’s departure from the station of origin and up to 20 minutes after the departure of the train from the passenger’s station;
• unused electronic tickets may be returned between 20 minutes and three hours after the train’s departure from the passenger’s station, on the condition that the passenger go to the ticket office in person and produce the form of identification specified in the electronic ticket, with the money returned to the passenger’s card or in cash, depending on the method of payment used when purchasing the electronic ticket;
• more than three, but no later than 12, hours after the train’s departure from the passenger’s station, or within five days if the passenger was ill (necessary proof must be provided).

2. When returning “one-way” tickets purchased under the Return discount.

3. When returning lost tickets (duplicates).

Fares on the Allegro train consist of the price of the ticket and the reserved seat. Tickets prices are listed in euros in Russia and Finland. Travel documents issued in the Russian Federation are paid for in roubles at the exchange rate set by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation on the date of issue.

In Russia, tickets for Allegro trains are sold at special ticket offices and international rail terminals.

The prices of individual (adult and child) tickets purchased between 60 and 7 days in advance of the travel date for all Allegro trains running Monday through Thursday will be:

• for trains departing between 30 October 2016 and 28 October 2017: 28.97 euros (for second-class seats); 43.97 euros (for passengers travelling with pets in second-class seats); 60.22 euros (for first-class seats).

The cost of travel in first class includes a service charge of 19.44 euros.

The base fare is used to calculate the prices of adult and child tickets. The base fare for child tickets is 30% lower than the base fare for adult tickets.

Tickets purchased for Allegro trains less than 24 hours before departure are priced at the base fare and will be 79 euros for second-class seats and 130.60 euros for first-class seats.

A detailed pricing schedule by departure date for Allegro trains can be found on our website (pаss.rzd.ru) in the section “Allegro train ticket prices”.

Ticket policy for children travelling on Allegro high-speed trains:

• Children under the age of six (inclusive) travelling with an adult and not occupying a separate seat travel free of charge.
• Children aged between 6 and 17 (inclusive) and children under the age of six who occupy a separate seat must have a valid travel document (the price of which is 30% lower than the adult fare).

Passengers must transport their pets on Allegro high-speed trains in the specially designated seating areas in second-class carriages (Carriage No. 6, seats 65–68).

Separate travel documents are not required to transport pets.

Passengers may travel with a maximum of:

• two dogs, each on a leash,

or

• two cages with animals,

or

• one dog on a leash and one cage with an animal or animals.

Cages must not exceed 60×45×40cm in size. Several animals may be transported in the same cage.

Ticket prices for passengers travelling with pets in the specially designated seating areas in the second-class carriages on Allegro trains (Carriage No. 6, seats 65–68) departing from 30 October 2016 is equal to the price of a second-class ticket plus 15 euros.

Pets are not permitted anywhere else on the train.

Passengers are allowed to take easily transportable items as hand luggage onto the train as long as this does not contravene customs or other administrative laws and provided that these items do not pose a threat to public health, the environment or the personal belongings of other passengers and do not inconvenience other passengers.

Passengers are allowed a maximum of two pieces of hand luggage, each measuring no more than 100×60×40cm. Small items such as briefcases, handbags and laptop computers to do not count towards the hand luggage total.

As part of their hand luggage allowance, passengers are permitted to take a bicycle (packed and unassembled in a box no larger than 100×60×40cm) onto the train.

In addition to the hand luggage allowance, passengers may carry skis in a covered bag.

Separate tickets for a maximum of two additional items of hand luggage may be purchased at the point of sale, provided that there is sufficient space on the train.

Passengers are required to store their hand luggage in the designated spaces.

Hand luggage must be located in the same carriage as the passenger.

A passenger who has booked a ticket at a ticket office or an electronic ticket can use the toilet facilities at all railway stations by presenting the boarding coupon printed out on paper or displayed on an electronic device to the cashier.