A quick and easy guide to getting around Russia

Russia’s well-developed transport network makes it easy to get around. As in any other country, however, passenger transport in Russia does have its peculiarities, and it helps to be aware of what these are before setting out.

Air and rail transport are the best ways to travel over long distances. While the former has the advantage of speed, the latter offers a high degree of comfort and may therefore be a convenient way to undertake a long journey. Intercity buses are ideal for shorter trips. River and sea transportation is also an option in Russia, but is mainly used for tourist purposes such as multi-day cruises or recreational boating within a single city or region.

How air transport works in Russia

Russia has several dozen airlines, most of which are local, flying only within one or a number of specific regions. 

The distinctive feature of the Russian air transport network is that many flights are routed through Moscow to lower costs. Residents of larger cities often use connecting flights to fly abroad, travelling first to the capital before catching an onward flight, sometimes from a different airport.

Passenger transport rules can vary by company and travel class. Differences include checked and hand baggage allowances, as well as rules for travelling with sports equipment, prams, baby carriers, and pets. 

Economy class checked and hand baggage allowances on flights operated by Russian airlines

Source: Tutu.ru

Travelling by rail

Long-distance rail travel is operated by Russian Railways, Russia's railway monopoly. 

Ticket prices are directly related to carriage type. Open plan carriages with seating only are the cheapest option, and may be chosen for journeys of just a few hours. Two-person compartments are the most expensive (unless you count cruise train journeys). Other options fall between these extremes in terms of price and comfort.

Note that travel time by train and by plane differs significantly. For example, getting from Moscow to Kazan by rail takes 11–13 hours, while the equivalent flight time is just 1.5 hours. 

Suburban passenger transport services are run by local companies whose authorised capital is provided by both Russian Railways and regional authorities. These can be particularly convenient for rush-hour travel when main roads in or out of the city are packed with cars and traffic jams can last for hours. 

Air and rail travel times from Moscow to major Russian cities

Source: Various airlines, Russian Railways

Transport between Moscow and St. Petersburg

Moscow and St. Petersburg are Russia's two largest cities. 

Besides using a private vehicle, plane and train are the two means of transport most commonly used to cover the distance between Russia's business capitals.

The fastest means of travelling from Moscow to St. Petersburg and back is the Sapsan high-speed train with a journey time of around 4 hours. Carriages are categorised by class, and ticket prices vary accordingly. You can learn more about carriage types on the Russian Railways website.

Apart from the Sapsan, there are regular (non-high-speed) trains running between the two cities both day and night. Given the 9–10 hour journey, the overnight option makes the most sense and will save you from losing a significant part of your day on the train. Prices can vary greatly, ranging from cheap shared carriages to luxury compartments on the Grand Express and Red Arrow trains.

Travelling by air will take roughly the same 4 hours as the Sapsan, including a 1 hour 30 minute flight plus the extra time spent getting to and from the airport, as well as completing formalities such as check-in and security screening.

Intercity buses

The bus transport network connects both larger cities such as regional capitals and smaller localities within the regions.

Every major city has a bus station, and metropolitan areas like Moscow can have several. It is often quicker to get to your destination by bus than by train, and is also frequently cheaper, but you need to take travel conditions into account. 

Tickets can be purchased at bus station ticket offices or on aggregator websites. 

Buses are operated by different companies, so fares vary, as do travel regulations, and some options have limited baggage allowances. More details on destinations, carriers, and fares can be found at bus stations or tourist offices in major cities.

Tips for overseas travellers

“International travellers have always viewed a journey across Russia as a fascinating but risky adventure, especially if undertaken solo. Having said that, provided you are aware of the subtleties, touring this vast territory is no more challenging than travelling in most other countries,” says Dmitry Zelenin, head of travel agency Puteshestvie. 

A few important tips and details from the experts: 

• Since 2019, Indian citizens may enter Russia with an electronic visa, which can be obtained by filling out an application form on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Mr Zelenin advises care when filling out the form: “If your form and passport data do not match, you may be denied entry into the country. Everything on the form must appear as it does in the passport, letter for letter, including superscripts such as umlauts.”
• To overcome the language barrier, use translation apps. Elena Ekhlakova, commercial director at Avenir, an aparthotel management company, notes that signage such as street names and directions in public places in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and regional capitals is often displayed in both Russian and English. This practice is almost non-existent in smaller localities. In such cases, translation apps can save the day. The expert also recommends asking younger people for help if necessary since, as a rule, they do speak English.