Russian Train Guide
Russian Train tickets

Photo by RZD
Which ticket types exist in Russia?
- E-ticket with electronic registration This is a ticket with electronic registration. The electronic ticket that we email to you does not have to be exchanged prior to your trip. To board the train, you just have to show this electronic ticket and your passport.
- E-ticket without electronic registration (semi e-ticket) This is a ticket which will be sent to you by email, but which you will have to exchange for a boarding pass prior to the trip at the train station. You can exchange your semi e-ticket in a ticket booth (it should have an E-ticket sign) or at an electronic terminal at the train station. To get your boarding pass at the station and to board a train you will have to show your passport.
- Paper ticket Although electronic tickets are available on most destinations, there are certain routes where only paper tickets can be issued. Paper ticket can either be delivered to your address (at an extra charge) or you can pick it up in one of our offices. To board the train you will have to show the ticket and also your passport. It is important to remember that paper ticket can only be used in original, no copies are accepted. Lost or damaged tickets cannot be reissued, so be careful once you receive your paper ticket and keep it in a safe place
Buying Russian Train Tickets
Photo by RZD
Buying tickets for Russian trains is not such an easy task - even for locals. Russian rail tickets can be purchased from ticket offices directly at the train station or through a travel agency. Here are the answers to the most popular questions regarding ticket booking process.
How to Read Your Train Ticket
How to read Russian electronic train ticket:
1 - Passenger information (Surname, first letter of Name, first letter of Second name)
2 - Date and time of departure
3 - Departure station
4 - Arrival station
5 - Date and time of arrival
6 - Ticket class
7 - Train number
8 - Carriage number
9 - Berth/seat number
How to read the Russian paper train ticket (local trains):
(1) train number
(2) date of departure
(3) time of departure
(4) carriage number
(5) carriage type
(6) city of departure
(7) city of arrival
(8) train type
(9) berth number
(10)passenger passport number
(11)passenger name in Russian
(12)arrival date and time
How to read the Russian paper train ticket (international trains):
(1) number of passengers
(2) ticket type (full/child)
(3) passenger passport number
(4) passenger name
(5) passenger date of birth
(6) date of departure
(7) time of departure
(8) city of departure
(9) city of arrival
(10)date of arrival
(11)time of arrival
(12)carriage type
(13)train number
(14)carriage number
(15)seat/berth number
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!
Recommended by
Our travel group under the names Express to Russia, Russian Rail and Trans-Europe Express has been recommended and/or accredited by:

A portion of your order goes to helping underprivileged Russian children.