This past Sunday night, we took an 8 hour overnight train from Veliky Novgorod to Moscow on the top bunks of a 'Platskartny' sleeper car (3rd class), for around 2000 Rubles total ($33/each). It's an "open-plan dormitory car with 54 bunks per car, arranged in beds of 4 on one side of the aisle and beds of 2 along the car wall (parallel to the windows) on the other side of the aisle."
The other sleeper option you can take is a 'Kupe' (2nd class), which is essentially the same, but you share a private compartment with doors and it's a bit more expensive (sometimes twice as much, depending on when you buy it).
We met a super friendly Belarusian from Minsk, named Alexia, who gave us some very sound advice for when you travel on Russian trains: 1) try to get a bed in the 1-36 range, the beds have more leg room (we had top bunks at 42 & 44), 2) DON'T flush tissue down the vaccuum flush toilets, 3) we know you're not Russian when you put your shoes near your head and not on the floor like everyone else, and 4) either lock up your baby packs and keep your important belongings near you or put your baby pack with the people across the aisle. Otherwise, consider them gone in the morning.
Here's a vid from our train ride, when everyone's getting ready for bed (and a small anecdote from our time at the Veliky Novgorod hostel): "HELLO FLORIDA!"
The other sleeper option you can take is a 'Kupe' (2nd class), which is essentially the same, but you share a private compartment with doors and it's a bit more expensive (sometimes twice as much, depending on when you buy it).
We met a super friendly Belarusian from Minsk, named Alexia, who gave us some very sound advice for when you travel on Russian trains: 1) try to get a bed in the 1-36 range, the beds have more leg room (we had top bunks at 42 & 44), 2) DON'T flush tissue down the vaccuum flush toilets, 3) we know you're not Russian when you put your shoes near your head and not on the floor like everyone else, and 4) either lock up your baby packs and keep your important belongings near you or put your baby pack with the people across the aisle. Otherwise, consider them gone in the morning.
Here's a vid from our train ride, when everyone's getting ready for bed (and a small anecdote from our time at the Veliky Novgorod hostel): "HELLO FLORIDA!"
Great sound advice. Happy to see your faces with your new friend Alexia. Goodnight and sleep well. You guys are too cute. Loving the videos and love ya guys! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Third class is definitely the more "interesting" way to travel...
ReplyDeleteI feel as if I'm there with you. All of your comments are so neat. Happy Trails!!!
ReplyDeleteso cool!! im so jealous!
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