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thndersnow · Just Starting Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 4

We would like to take one of the night trains from Moscow to St Petersburg. I know about the 1st class (2 beds), 2nd class (4 beds), but I was wondering if anybody could give me more information about the 3rd class. What exactly are "berths"? Are there any pictures available on the internet? Would it be unsafe to travel in 3rd class? We are a younger couple and do not mind travelling with non-tourists, and we generally stay in hostels so it wouldn't be a problem sharing an entire space with many strangers. Any advice would be appreciated about the 3rd class. Thank you!

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

Hi, for me the 3rd class night train between Piter and Moscow is a very nice memory. Yeah I didn't sleep much, and it's terribly inconvenient : they open the toilets one hour after the train leaves, and close them one hour before you get there so that you won't shit on the sacred soil of the 2 capitals, and you have to go get your bed sheets (there might even be an extra payment for it) and give them back in the morning.
And obviously, since you can hear pretty much what anybody in the wagon says (if they're speaking loud enough to cover the noise of the train, which is not as insulated as in second class) the comfort is very limited. Don't count on sleeping more than 4 hours, which would be already good.
Still my only experience in there was rather pleasant, since I got in good company, and I was young enough not to care about the limited comfort.
Now I wouldn't consider 3rd class any more, and take the train only if I have too much luggage for the plane which costs about the same.
I definitely never felt unsafe. Be careful to hide anything of value. Nobody will search your big suitcase in the middle of the night, but just don't leave a pile of cash in an outside pocket that can be checked in 3 seconds without anyone noticing, or anything stupid like that. I think there are much fewer cases of theft than in western Europe train, but don't tempt the devil : cash, jewelry, expensive cameras, iPhone... in the depths of your suitcase (get a little padlock if you are nervous and want to be completely safe). Nobody will be tempted by a cheap Sony camera or Nokia phone, don't be paranoid. And don't worry about violence, Russian trains are far safer than European ones. Also, it is now illegal to drink alcohol in 3rd class (in second class doors should be closed). The ban is not perfectly respected but thanks to it you won't find any drunkard getting aggressive (if anyone starts to be a nuisance he gets kicked by the wagon manager).

If you want to sleep with reasonable comfort, take 2nd class
If you want to save every possible penny, take 3rd.
If you want to know how 3rd is like before you're too old for it, take 3rd
To have pictures of what is 3rd, search плацкарт with your favourite search engine, you'll have plenty of pictures.

My opinion:
What the hell, just go for it. It's just one night, an interesting experience. then you'll be puzzled : how can people live in these conditions for 3, 4... 8 days while traveling on the Transiberian.
Don't forget to take water and food.

thndersnow · Just Starting Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 4

Wow, that is great advice.. thanks so much for the reply. I think we will definitely take the 3rd class as comfort and amount of sleep isn't as important as the price (we are still young).. Very Happy

I have been looking all over the place trying to find how to book the tickets. Most agencies offering them doesn't have an option for you to select the seats. I guess I would rather pick my seats rather than have them randomly assigned to me. Anyone have suggestions on where I can book choosing own seats? I don't have a Russian credit card so unfortunately I think this means I would not be able to book through the official site. A slight markup is ok with me.

Paul-Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1073

Select seats on Plakart. LOL

Plakart just sucks ass.
Get a 2nd class booth and you will share your cabin with 3 others and you can try your horrible Russian. Bring some sweets and food to share, and you will find out that you will trying to chat Russenglish, Not Russian, Not English, both. I enjoyed my experience in the cabins, but not Plakart.

Plakart is too open and people really do not mingle as much and you will find that your conversation is limited.
If you want to know what the cabin look like, just down load the movie TRanssiberian and the main characters are in 2nd class.

IREN · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:07 am Post subject:

thndersnow

Here pictures a reserved seat (Plakart).

It is the most convenient to take the bottom places and is better in the middle of the car. From a toilet far, but also a smell will not feel.

The bottom places - all odd numbers (1,3,5 and further).

IREN · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

I can not insert many pictures in one message

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

Yeah concerning the places, if possible try to get 13,15... 23, which are the places in the middle and on the bottom. I think the worse are 37 and beyond, because they are in the other direction, directly on the corridor, and even shorter I believe.
You have a view of how the places are organized here : http://www.indost.ru/?idm=1&idm1=3&idm2=20

keveenjohnnson · Just Starting Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

Really nice train. It is so clean and looks really comfortable. I always travel by plan because I feel trains must be tidy and unclean as well as full of unhygienic people but if this is the reality and trains are looks like this then I will not waste money in flight. I always pick a train for me

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