At the end of the year, I will tell you about my travel experience in luxury carriages Russian railways.
So, this summer I had a need for an urgent trip with the whole family (myself, my husband and a baby child) from Sochi to central Russia. And due to the specifics of the direction, they had to go either by rail or by car. After weighing all the pros and cons, we came to the conclusion that we have only one option - the train.
About a week remained before the start of the trip. And it was necessary to decide how to organize the trip in the most optimal way (comfortably and inexpensively)? Agree, not every sane parent will agree to play roulette and go in a compartment familiar to everyone with all its risks, and even more so in a reserved seat. In the summer, trains on the Sochi direction are always packed, and therefore the chances of grabbing something from the set of "snoring-socks-fumes-doshirak-nonsense-ya-ytsa-etc." very large.
That is why I began to look for a solution to my equation on the Russian Railways website, and after 5 minutes, clapping my hands for joy, I convinced my husband of the need to close his eyes to the price for the sake of the offered comfort. And I found a "Luxury carriage": http://pass.rzd.ru/static/public/ru?STRUCTURE_ID\u003d5217
There are no neighbors here, and a large bed (so comfortable for sleeping with a baby), and a private toilet with a shower, and climate control, and much, much more. So many that I wanted to close my eyes to the ticket price - 13.600 rubles per person one way! It's good that they took one way ...
There was some kind of doubt inside that in the abbreviation RZD R they were Russian, which meant that everything could not be so sweet. Well, okay, let's see ...
But in the car, the first thing that caught my eye was that it was quite ordinary, and instead of the maximum of 5 promised compartments per car, there were them inside as in an ordinary compartment. I immediately thought - where did they hide the toilets then? Going into my compartment, and putting my things, I realized that no one was hiding anything here - we were in an NORMAL compartment car, except perhaps without the upper bins. But there was even a ladder to the top shelf! Where to climb on it ?!
Being in a bit of a shock condition, I checked the ticket, and it says in black and white that our carriage is LUX. It remained to find out the truth from the dear guide. And then it turned out that we have ... SV! If anyone has traveled by SV cars, he knows how it differs from a compartment - not only in the absence of an upper shelf. I opened the Russian Railways website on my tablet to make sure that I wasn't completely crazy yet. And then the conductor (apparently, this is not his first case) says: "Well, look here at the bottom of the page it is indicated that Lux class coupes are denoted (attention !!!) with the letter M - soft. And this is Lux. there is an ordinary SV ". To my shocked "But this car is not a SV, but an ordinary compartment without upper bins" the conductor just skillfully threw up his hands and said: "Well, what is it." At that moment, all the anger that exists in me wanted to splash out on this dear person. But it has nothing to do with it. It is worth looking for traces in the management of this red-and-white crooked monopolist. Thanks to the conductor and for the story about how and where to book a SOFT carriage correctly!
As a result of this trip, we had to seal the air conditioner with a garbage bag several times so that the child did not get iced up (in the miracle car the air conditioner does not decrease and does not turn off when the outside temperature is above 25), stay up all night and monitor the baby's sleep (fit with him on a narrow it is impossible to leave a bed, and leave it unattended too - there are no handrails). The chef finished us off with his delights of student cuisine for a couple of thousand for two.
The result of the trip is a destroyed nervous system and a crazy night for (just something) almost a thousand American dollars!
Thoughts about way back for 2 weeks they were not allowed to sleep peacefully - it will be almost unrealistic even for hardened parents to experience such stress again.
Therefore, following the guide's advice, we found another train with soft seats. The cost there was already entirely for the entire compartment - a little less than 26,000. And until the very trip, it was embarrassing that it was lower than the first tickets to the miracle-SV.
But, having entered the carriage, we were able to calmly exhale - it was the same LUX! With a large bed (in fact, the second one turned out to be almost the same) with excellent mattresses and linens, an armchair, a toilet with a shower, with climate control and heating (it got very cold in those days). And even though the carriage still resembled a mix of two such Soft coupes and the rest of the "type" SV, we drove calmly and with pleasure.
We were amused by 2 moments: the first one was the words of the head of this railway that we are now in a mobile 5-star hotel (either he has never been to one of these, or he confused it with brandy); and the second - the fact that at the end of the journey along the chain the air conditioner did not work, then the boiler or the drain in the toilet bowls (as soon as one was repaired, the second one was immediately cut off - and so on in a circle).
So my advice, friends - when traveling by rail, be on the lookout and do not fall for the stupid baits of these swindlers monopolists. And a pleasant journey to all!
The cars on the trains of Russian Railways are divided into several types, depending on the number of seats and the level of comfort. For most types of cars on Tutu.ru there is a seat map.
Seated car
The seated carriage has free-standing soft chairs with armrests. It resembles the cabin of an airplane or intercity bus, but here significantly more space... Better to take a seat carriage ticket when the journey lasts several hours. This way you won't have time to get tired. These are, for example, daytime express trains between Moscow and St. Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod and Kirov.
Seated coaches differ greatly in the location and number of seats, as well as in service classes. Therefore, there is no single scheme for them. For example, the figure shows a diagram of a carriage of train No. 102Ya Moscow - Yaroslavl.
On Tutu.ru in the "Trains" section there are seat maps for many sit-down trains, including popular ones. When buying a train ticket (on the seat selection page), the direction of travel is indicated for some trains. This allows you to choose comfortable seatsso as not to go backwards.
High-speed train "Strizh", 1st class carriage
Econom-class train
This is the most popular type of carriage due to its low ticket prices. The carriage has 54 seats - 9 compartments with 6 beds each. Two upper, two lower and two lateral. There are no doors between the compartments; they are all connected by a common corridor. All the bottom places are odd numbered, and the top ones are even numbered.
Places 37 to 54 are "sidewalls", they are shorter than places in block 4. Places 33 to 38 are located near the toilet. The slamming of the door leading to the corridor and unpleasant odors can interfere here.
In the third (seats 9-12) and sixth (seats 21-24) compartments, windows do not open. This is true for older trains without air conditioning. On new trains, ventilation is working properly.
Usually there are two toilets in the car, there is titanium with boiling water for brewing tea. Each compartment is equipped with tables, a table on the sides and two seating positions are obtained if the lower shelf is expanded. There is a lot of luggage space in the reserved seat - these are compartments under the lower seats and third shelves.
In a fully occupied reserved seat it can be stuffy and cramped (especially in the side seats). Platzkart cars in branded trains are cleaner and more comfortable: there is an air conditioner and a dry closet, and more sockets.
Platzkart carriage in the corporate train of Russian Railways
Common carriage
Usually this econom-class train with three seats on each lower shelf, including the lower side ones. This car has several serious disadvantages.
Firstly, reserved seat shelves are not suitable for long seating due to the lack of a soft back and headrest. Secondly, a feeling of tightness is created - there are no armrests separating people from each other. Finally, in most cases, in a common carriage, all tickets are sold without a seat - whoever had time earlier took the best seats.
This is the least comfortable type of carriage, but the ticket is also the cheapest.
Compartment carriage
A compartment carriage usually has 32 or 36 seats, divided into compartments with four seats in each. There are wagons with 38 seats, where 37-38 seats are a double compartment. The bottom places are odd, and the top ones are even. The compartments are isolated from each other and locked. There are folding chairs in the common corridor.
The compartment has a mirror, a table, hangers and hooks for clothes, as well as a night lamp for each passenger. Unlike a reserved seat, the compartment does not have a third shelf - it is replaced by a luggage niche under the ceiling. Therefore, you can freely sit on the top bunk in the compartment.
The compartment is one of the most popular types of carriages due to the combination of price and comfort. There are fewer people in the carriage, extraneous conversations do not interfere, and personal belongings are safe. The compartment car, similarly to the reserved seat, has two toilets and a titanium. But in the compartment there are fewer queues for the toilet in comparison with the reserved seat, since there are significantly fewer passengers in such a carriage.
Often, for a special offer, the upper shelves in a compartment can be bought at the price of a reserved seat. In some carriages, when buying a ticket, you can choose the type of compartment. Both men and women can travel in a mixed compartment, and only women can travel in a female compartment. The type of compartment is determined by the passenger who first bought the ticket.
Compartment in the carriage of the private carrier JSC "TCS"
Luxury carriage (SV)
SV is a sleeping car. It has 8 to 10 compartments with 2 berths each, both located below. But there are suites (SV) with top and bottom seat, but this compartment also has only 2 seats. The standard suite has 18 seats. Lux (SV) is more comfortable than a compartment carriage, since it has no upper bins. The lower shelves have a padded backrest for seating.
In terms of service level, SV is better than a compartment carriage - the suite usually has a button to call the conductor, air conditioning, and some trains also have a TV. Depending on the carrier company, passengers are provided with a different set of services (food, drinks, travel kit, press, linen). For example, the carrier TKS JSC has high-quality wagons and a high level of service.
Lux (SV) is convenient for a family or romantic trip, when you can redeem the entire compartment. The main disadvantage of SV is the fare. It is usually 3-4 times higher than in a reserved seat and 1.5-2 times higher than in a compartment. A trip to SV will cost more expensive than an airplane the same distance.
Luxury carriage (SV) of the private carrier JSC "TCS"
Soft wagon
A soft carriage can have 4, 5 or 6 compartments. The layout and furnishings of the compartment itself also vary greatly. Each compartment has 1 or 2 berths. If there are two seats, then the lower one is a sofa that converts into a bed 120 cm wide. The compartments themselves are similar to a suite, but differ in a larger area.
The soft carriage is equipped at the level of a 3-4-star hotel: each compartment has a dry closet, washbasin, shower, air conditioner, TV, soft sofa and armchair. Here they are sure to be fed a hot breakfast, they give out a shower set, a bathrobe and a terry towel, and the latest newspapers. The soft carriages are equipped with a bar.
Of the minuses - high pricesignificantly exceeding the cost of a plane ticket.
Soft carriage interior corporate train "Grand Express".
International carriage with 4-seater compartments
In terms of comfort level, four-seater compartments on international routes are similar to ordinary compartment cars on the territory of the Russian Federation. But, as a rule, new carriages go abroad, so they have a lot of nice little things (for example, a scoreboard with a running line in the corridor).
Another compartment in such a carriage can turn into a suite if the upper bins are raised. Depending on the route, there may be a shared shower in the carriage, air conditioning in the compartment, individual lighting for each seat and sockets.
A four-seater compartment on the Moscow - Nice train. Photo taken from the Russian Railways website
International carriage with 3-seater compartments
Some international trains have triple compartments. There are 33 seats in such a car. In the compartment, all three berths are located one below the other on one side. These compartments can be used as two-seater ones - the middle shelf remains in the raised position.
They are smaller than a 4-seater coupe and may seem cramped. When there are three passengers in it, they are all forced to sit or lie down, since it is impossible to sit with the middle shelf lowered. Therefore, wagons with 3-seater compartments are now very rarely used.
It is pleasant to ride in such a compartment only if two people buy out all three seats and raise the middle shelf. Of the amenities, they can be (but are not in all compartments) an armchair, a table, a washbasin and a wardrobe.
The SV-class carriage is a premium offer (the abbreviation stands for “ Sleeping Wagon"). It differs from reserved seat and compartment rooms in that one compartment isolated by doors is shared by only two people. Also, speaking about CB train tickets, what is it, one cannot fail to mention additional services.
Some routes also offer food, a bathrobe and slippers to make you feel almost at home. On some branded trains, the passenger has access to the latest press, free access to the wi-fi network, which can be called an invaluable "plus" - communication along the way, as you know, constantly disappears, and the availability of Internet access makes it possible to work, solve business problems, watch movies and read while traveling and, of course, communicate in your usual ways.
How much is a ticket for the SV train?
As follows from what we talked about above, the price of the trip will differ significantly from others. The cost of sv train tickets is much higher than in reserved seat and compartment cars. In some cases, it differs by 20%. Also, the fare, naturally, varies depending on the distance. For example, tickets for the Moscow-Vladivostok train in SV will cost about 27,000 rubles.
But a special type of CB-tickets is the "luxury" class. The service here is even more exclusive: some cars (depending on the assembly date) are equipped with a shower, the price includes drinks, incl. and alcoholic drinks, which can be delivered from the dining car during the entire route. Not every ordinary tourist can afford to buy a "luxury": such a trip can cost more than a flight by plane. Therefore, the most urgent question before purchasing a carriage in SV or luxury: is the ticket price justifying itself or is it better to fly?
How can you buy train tickets for the SV-carriage?
There are two options: you can go to the train station and purchase a paper boarding pass there, or book your trip online. You can buy train tickets for the SV-car on the website. Thanks to the user-friendly interface, it is easy to do it in just a few clicks. At the same time, the cost of a train ticket for a SV-carriage includes a small service commission from the site.
To complete the process, you will not need anything other than passport data. At the same time, after the ticket is booked, for some time there is an opportunity not to pay for it: the client is given time to think. Also, the service gives you the opportunity to get your money back if your plans change.
A branded train is a train with high-quality service and a wide range of services.
The schedule of such a train is developed taking into account the most convenient time of departure and arrival at the terminal station or the shortest time en route.
Currently, branded trains carry passengers to various regions of the country, connecting the capitals of the republics of the Russian Federation.
The main differences between branded trains:
1. Convenient travel timetable (compared to alternative long-distance passenger trains).
2. Modern carriages not older than 12 years after construction, equipped with air conditioning.
3. Qualified guides trained according to a special program.
4. Bed linen, bedding and hygiene items of improved quality.
5. Before boarding, bed linen is laid on the upper berths, with the exception of the side ones in reserved carriages.
6. Comfortable dining car with an extended range of dishes.
And, of course, a guaranteed set of services: the sale of tea and confectionery products, printed publications, souvenirs and other goods for the journey.
In the branded train, you can choose the type of carriage to your taste!
Various types of carriages run as part of branded trains recent years the buildings: with seating, reserved seat, compartment, MIXT, SV and Suite, as well as double-deck cars (with seating and sleeping places), capable of satisfying the widest range of wishes and preferences of passengers, including passengers with limited mobility who travel in a wheelchair.
* double-deck cars.
The courteous and friendly staff will help you to get into the carriage and assist in resolving any issues.
Comfort in everything!
Toilets of branded trains are provided with liquid soap, paper towels, toilet paper, air fresheners, and disposable seat covers.
For gourmets
The branded train includes a dining car. Excellent cuisine, cozy interior, individual for each dining car. If you like privacy and do not want to leave your compartment, then the carriage conductor will help you call the waiter and order breakfasts, lunches, dinners or other products of the dining car with delivery directly to the compartment.
Your safety is guaranteed
The design of the carriages implements technical solutions that allow remote monitoring of the condition and operation of the carriage life support systems.
Travel in the "All inclusive!"
On branded trains and carriages superior comfort additional services are already included in the fare: food, linen, sanitary and hygienic kits and the press.
List of branded trains of JSC "FPK" (18.4 kB), in the carriages of which there is no complex of services.
Service classes of branded trains and luxury carriages (VPK) in which the services are provided *, included in the fare
| Suite | SV | Coupe | With seating | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service class | 1A, 1I, 1M | 1B | 1E, 1E, 1T | 2E, 2T | 2B | 1P | 1B | 2P | 3P |
|
Diet |
yes 5 |
||||||||
|
Linens |
yes, improved quality |
yes, improved quality |
yes, improved quality |
plaid 2 |
|||||
|
Sanitary and hygienic set |
1 set 2 |
1 set 1 |
|||||||
|
Printed products |
yes 2 |
||||||||
* the cost and composition of the service depend on the class of service.
1 is not available on the Strizh train.
2 is not available on double-decker trains: No. 5/6, Moscow - St. Petersburg, No. 23/24 Moscow - Kazan.
3 Printed materials are not provided on trains No. 617/618 St. Petersburg - Vologda, No. 5/6 and 25/26 Moscow - St. Petersburg, No. 23/24 Moscow - Kazan.
4 Available on double-deck trains only.
5 Provided only on double-deck trains No. 738/737 and 740/739 Moscow - Voronezh by means of a vending machine.
Railway transport in Belarus remains largely the same as it was during the Soviet era. The rolling stock is slowly being updated, the speed is practically not increasing, and the quality of services is from the same era. At the same time, low prices, the state to some extent provides support to the railway, the lines are not closed. I decided to personally assess the service provided by the Belarusian railway in SV cars plying within the country.
In fact, it is not such a trivial task to find an option with an air defense system that does not travel outside Belarus. It is quite reasonable that the road is gradually transferring interregional transportation to sit-down cars - the distances are quite short. And SV in this case is justified only as an opportunity to retire from everyone and calmly reach the destination. You can get from Minsk to Vitebsk, Brest and Grodno by expensive ticket on passing trains (to the western regional centers - trains from Moscow, to cultural capital - "Star" that goes to Peter). It is impossible to get to Mogilev by SV-cars at all. There are two options to Gomel! Firstly, the passing Minsk-Simferopol (but only in summer), and secondly, as part of the usual passenger train No. 708 also has a SV. I also used this option.
I've been buying tickets for a long time through the official website of the Belarusian Railways. I go through there electronic registration and I don’t come across paper coupons at all. Very comfortably! I highly recommend it! The fare in the NE to Gomel is 194,900 rubles, plus a small commission is charged for registration through the Network. All the same, the cost is penny as for me. Transport prices in Belarus are from that era of communism. For comparison, a seat in the 708th will cost you 45 thousand, and a compartment in 96. But there are cheaper options, this train is, as they say, the flagship.
In the evening I get to the station by taxi. My train is on the third track at the second platform. SV carriage 7th from the tail (a train of Gomel formation, therefore, in the “right” direction it travels from Gomel), but while I’m walking to it, I pay attention that some cars are still with the inscriptions of the Sozh branded train, which went on this thread (?). Now the concept of “branded” is abandoned in Belarusian Railways, although the cost of the trains is still different. By the way, the "firm" went inside the country even before Polotsk and, it seems, that's all.
In general, I show my passport and get into the carriage. SV, of course, is not new, but capitalized at the Gomel Carriage Repair Plant. Judging by the interiors - for a long time, with those views and beauty and prosperity.
When buying a ticket, I always take the 33rd seat in the compartment or 15th in the NE. This little life hack allows you to be left without fellow travelers with a high degree of probability on unloaded days, because people still have a strong idea that going “by the toilet” is less comfortable. I agree that if you are in a reserved seat, and even more so in a side seat, then you are. But in a coupe or CB? I don't see any difference. 33rd place is the penultimate lower one in the farthest compartment - thanks to its purchase, people are left with the option “two upper ones near the toilet” or one lower one. Agree, interest in such places is lowered.
It's dark in the compartment while the train is at the station. Unfortunately, no light can be turned on at all, I only use what I get from the corridor. Very strange.
Luxurious beds are wide, with soft upholstery. It will be comfortable to sleep on such a brute like me.
True, the ride is only 4 hours - the question of sleep is not relevant.
Immediately I decide to make a look in the mirror that hangs from back side doors.
The train starts to move, light is on. The lighting is in two versions - at the headboard as usual, and fluorescent light from the ceiling. The night light shines much more pleasantly, so I leave it.
I explore the possibilities of the car. An external air conditioner unit hangs on the ceiling - it shouldn't be hot in summer. But the window also opens, unfortunately, according to the latest Belarusian fashion - a hinged one with a small gap. Practice shows that on hot days there will not be enough air flow.
The control unit is tiny. Ceiling light, guide call, radio volume control. It was not possible to turn on the radio, so I went all the way to Gomel in silence without the howls of Allegrova and Gazmanov. I think that's good.
On the table is a menu with a standard set of tea-coffee-instant noodles. A set of linen is not included in the ticket price and costs 18 thousand. On "simpler" trains the set is cheaper by a couple of thousand.
Shock, but true: the toilet on the train is not a closed loop (bio), but an ordinary hole in the toilet. Accordingly, it should be closed at stops. Attached to the wall of the compartment is a small LCD TV, which, alas, did not broadcast anything. All three channels broadcast a calming blue color.
708th goes to Gomel without a single stop in 4 hours with a tail. There are faster options (in particular, I go from Gomel to Minsk in daytime in 3.5 hours), so I arrive at 22:17.
I did not get a fellow traveler, there were 6-7 passengers in the carriage, including me. I am ready to overpay for loneliness, but, in all honesty, the status of the car does not correspond to the services provided. Just a compartment, but no upper shelves.
