Runs
8-10 times a day

Travel time
3.5-4 hours

Distance
650 km

High level
of comfort

The high-speed Sapsan train is Russia’s fastest, named after the world’s fastest bird - the peregrine falcon. Built by Siemens Transportation Systems, it is capable of speeds up to 250 km/h. The Sapsan operates on the Moscow to St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg to Nizhny Novgorod routes. There are several trains daily; the trip from Moscow to St. Petersburg takes 4 hours. The train consists of 10 or 20 carriages of different classes: First class, Business class and Economy class.

Prices for all First and Business class seats include one hot meal, newspapers and magazines.  There is also a conference cabin, a separate 4-seat cabin in the First class carriage. It can be purchased only in full (all 4 seats). The cabin can be used for business meetings. Price includes soft drinks and beverages.

First class seats are arranged in rows of three with an aisle down the middle. Each seat is equipped with a control panel to adjust its position and has an individual table, lamp and socket (220 V). A wide range of seat adjustments, lumbar support, wide armrests, headrest and comfortable support for the legs allow passengers to have a comfortable trip. Seats can be set in a supine position.

Business class seats are arranged in rows of four with an aisle down the middle. Each seat has an adjustable back rest and foot rest, individual lamp, 220V socket, and access to video and audio programs. Economy class seats are arranged in rows of four with an aisle down the middle. Each seat has an adjustable back rest, foot rest, individual lamp and access to audio and video programs.

Economy+ class tickets include meals. Passengers can also order hot meals from the bistro car (at extra charge).

Schedule

751А
05:30
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 30m
09:00
Moscow Leningradsky
753А
06:40
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
4h 3m
10:43
Moscow Leningradsky
755А
06:50
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
4h 2m
10:52
Moscow Leningradsky
757А
09:00
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 58m
12:58
Moscow Leningradsky
759А
09:10
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 55m
13:05
Moscow Leningradsky
761А
11:00
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 46m
14:46
Moscow Leningradsky
763А
11:10
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 46m
14:56
Moscow Leningradsky
765А
13:00
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 58m
16:58
Moscow Leningradsky
767А
15:00
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 45m
18:45
Moscow Leningradsky
769А
14:30
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
4h
18:30
Moscow Leningradsky
771А
17:00
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 46m
20:46
Moscow Leningradsky
773А
17:10
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 52m
21:02
Moscow Leningradsky
775А
19:00
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 58m
22:58
Moscow Leningradsky
777А
19:10
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
4h 3m
23:13
Moscow Leningradsky
779А
21:00
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 35m
00:35
Moscow Leningradsky
781А
21:00
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
3h 58m
00:58
Moscow Leningradsky
752А
05:45
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 30m
09:15
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
754А
06:50
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 55m
10:45
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
756А
07:00
Moscow Leningradsky
4h 4m
11:04
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
758А
09:30
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 50m
13:20
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
760А
09:40
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 50m
13:30
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
762А
11:30
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 46m
15:16
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
764А
11:40
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 46m
15:26
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
766А
13:30
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 55m
17:25
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
768А
15:30
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 46m
19:16
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
770А
15:40
Moscow Leningradsky
4h 1m
19:41
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
772А
17:30
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 46m
21:16
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
774А
17:40
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 55m
21:35
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
776А
19:30
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 55m
23:25
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
778А
19:40
Moscow Leningradsky
4h 4m
23:44
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
780А
21:00
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 35m
00:35
St. Peterburg Moscovsky
782А
21:00
Moscow Leningradsky
3h 42m
00:42
St. Peterburg Moscovsky

Sapsan train

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Testimonials

History of the Sapsan Train - Russia's First High-Speed Railway

Travelers in Russia who prioritize comfort and convenience know all about the Sapsan train service. Russia’s Sapsan train is the country’s first high-speed railway, and for many travelers, the most efficient way to move about. If you’ve ever had to travel by plane, you know the time commitment it takes to drive to the airport, wait in security lines, board the plane, wait some more, and then do the entire process again when you return home. Traveling by train, in comparison, is a breeze. Today’s modern trains have reclining seats, dinner service, and on-board conference rooms, which business travelers will surely enjoy.

Why the Name ‘Sapsan’

The developers of the Sapsan train are proud that they’ve created a high-speed train that travels up to 250 km/h. When settling on a name for their creation, they wanted one that conjured lightning fast speed and grace. Those that speak Russian will already know that ‘sapsan’ means ‘peregrine falcon’ in Russian. The peregrine falcon is, of course, the world’s fastest bird. What a perfect name for the train that takes passengers between Moscow and St. Petersburg in under four hours!

Sapsan staff

Photo by RZD.ru

When Did Sapsan Start?

Recognizing a need in the world’s largest country, in 2006 Siemens partnered with Russian Railways (RZD), to design and create a state-of-the-art, high-speed railway service that would serve Russia’s many travelers, and maintain a service standard similar to its European counterparts. On 7th May 2009, during the Sapsan train’s pilot journey, the crew reached a speed of 290 km/h - a new record for the fastest train in Russia! Shortly after that, in December 2009, Sapsan began passenger service between what’s now known as the Sapsan Moscow, Sapsan St. Petersburg line. It was no surprise that the train service between these two cities was widely popular. Today, Sapsan continues to increase the number of departures and returns to meet the growing demand of its customers.

Controversies

Despite the train service being wildly popular, it has not been without controversy. Shortly after launching in 2009, more affordable daytime trains serving rural communities suffered, because they shared tracks with Sapsan trains. In addition to this, the sheer speed of the Sapsan train requires certain safety measures be taken when the train passes through cities and towns. To protect pedestrians and vehicles that may be near the tracks, train crossings must be closed 15 minutes prior to the train traveling through the intersection. These closings can disrupt traffic, and even hinder emergency service vehicles, if they must cross the tracks en route to a hospital, for example. To remedy this, and maintain the service routes, Sapsan has worked with local authorities to construct bridges and underpasses.

What About the Weather?

It’s not uncommon for train travel to be adversely impacted by weather conditions like rain and wind storms. Even things like fall tree leaves covering the tracks can create conditions that delay train travel. One bright spot, however, is that the Sapsan train has no problem running when Russia’s winter temperatures reach as low as -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit)! Sapsan ticket holders can rest assured cold weather should not disrupt service.

More Information on Sapsan Routes

Sapsan’s first train service, started in 2009, runs between St. Petersburg to Moscow via Tver. This journey typically takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The second service, started in 2018, runs between St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod traveling through Moscow, Vladimir and the city of Dzerzhinsk. This trip is roughly 8 hours. Of course, travel times are dependent on the number of scheduled stops on the route.
The Sapsan St. Petersburg and Sapsan Moscow train stations are busy places. On a typical day, between 5:30am and 9pm, roughly 10 trains embark from Moskovsky Vokzal and Leningradsky Vokzal. The St Petersburg to Nizhny Novgorod route, on the other hand, sees just one train per day traveling from St Petersburg to Nizhny Novgorod and vice versa via Moscow’s Kursky Station. This train leaves St Petersburg at 5pm and Nizhny Novgorod at 5am.

Upgrading the Sapsan Experience

In December 2019, the decision was made to upgrade the Sapsan train experience. Travelers may now purchase Sapsan tickets for three new classes: Comfort Class, Family Class, and a Suite Cabin. These service and class upgrades are slowly being rolled out through the Sapsan fleet. All trains should be modernized by 2021. You can read more about these changes here.

Once you have your tickets, look forward to a wonderful, smooth
and enjoyable journey through the Russian countryside.

Buy your ticket safely and securely and then sit back
and enjoy the ride!

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