TRANS-SIBERIAN TOURS

Let's blast through a list of different types of carriages available on the Trans-Siberian railroad.

Premium class carriages (Luxury or Soft)

Premium carriages usually have up to six compartments with two beds in each. There is also a sink, and in some cases, a toilet and a shower cabin in the compartment. If not, you’ll find them at the end of the carriage. Note that whether you intend to travel alone or with someone, the premium carriage ticket price will be the same, as it includes the entire compartment.

Suite carriages (First class or SV)

First-class carriages, also known as Suite or SV, contain nine compartments, with two beds in each. You’ll find toilets at the beginning and the end of the carriage.
Unlike in premium class, tickets to SV wagons can be bought for each person individually. This type of wagon is particularly popular with couples who want to enjoy their time on the road just the two of them. Overall, the carriage can accommodate up to 18 people.

Compartment carriages (Second class or Kupe)

Compartment carriages accommodate up to 36 people, with 9 compartments and up to 4 people in each. There are two upper beds and two lower beds, and a table between them. The toilet is located at the beginning and at the end of the carriage. Compartments fall into three categories: male, female and mixed.
This is one of the most popular options for tourists who want to enjoy the trip with comfort without overpaying. Note that many trains on the Trans-Siberian route don’t offer Suite (SV) carriages, but couples who want to travel separately from others can book an entire compartment (all four beds).

Open carriage (Third class or Platskart)

Unlike other wagons, the open carriage doesn’t have doors in compartments, and each compartment contains six beds (the extra two are “in the corridor”), with up to 54 travelers in a carriage. You can find toilets located at the beginning and the end of the wagon.
Such wagons may be noisy, smelly, and sometimes too hot. You’ll also need to keep an eye on your belongings. On the upside, the price is much cheaper than in other carriages.

High-speed trains

Another train type is the high-speed train, such as Sapsan, that operates between Moscow and St Petersburg. It goes up to 250 km/h, so the journey takes under four hours.
There are four types of carriages: 1st class with leather seats and a meal included, 2nd class with leather seats, economy class and the bistro wagon.
However, such trains don’t operate on the Trans-Siberain railroad just yet, so more on that the next time.

Luxury trains (Golden Eagle, Russian Tsar)

Luxury trains operating on the Trans-Siberian offer first-class customer service, elegant compartments with en-suite facilities and fine dining. One such example is The Golden Eagle that comprises three categories of cabins: Imperial Suite with a double bed (and a private guide in most destinations on the journey), Gold Cabin with a private bathroom and other facilities, and a Silver Cabin.

Our Trans-Siberian tours are exclusively private and customized, allowing you to experience the journey at your own pace. You will be traveling on regular trains, which costs are dynamic. It varies depending on the season, the specific departure date, how early you book, and the availability of seats.
Additionally, your choice of accommodation—2-berth or 4-berth compartments—affects the price.
The size of your group also matters: the larger the group, the lower the cost per person. This flexibility ensures a personalized and unique travel experience tailored to your preferences.

Please make sure your bags are not too big or heavy; try to keep the total weight to a minimum and pack only the essentials. In most Russian stations, you will have to use the stairs (as most of them do not have lifts).
Carriers are present at most stations, but not all. They usually offer their services next to the carriage. But remember that you can only pay them in cash.
Therefore, be mindful of the size and weight of your luggage.

The Trans-Siberian railroad is safe for travelers. We advise you to choose a railway compartment with a locking door.

The Trans-Siberian Railway crosses 8 time zones (the difference between Moscow and Vladivostok is 7 hours).
Russia has 11 time zones.

The whole beauty of the Trans-Siberian tour is that you make stops and explore different places in Russia. Some stops take a day, some more. When you arrive at the right station - your train goes on, and when you come back to the station, you get on another train. There are a lot of trains with different routes on the Trans-Siberian railway. So don't be surprised when you see a train with a different number and a different departure and arrival city.

Along the way, the trains make stops. Some stops are small (only a few minutes). There are stations where the train stops for several hours. The time of arrival and the length of stops are always in the carriage. At big stops you can get out of the carriage to stretch or buy something in small shops.
Please make sure you know the time of departure before you go out (remember Russia has many time zones), and take your passport and phone with you.

In and around cities, mobile phone and 4g mobile internet coverage is good. But during the train journey there may be long areas without connection and internet.