Taking the Train? - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Taking the Train?
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Posted by: Buckeye5704

Irina and I are working out the final details of our route to Yoshkar Ola and the price of a "Delux" berth (2 persons) is pretty steep.

Can someone tell me if there are baggage cars on these long haul trains?

If so it would make the decision to get a 1st class (4 persons) berth a viable option space wise.

Delta allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on plus personal bag each and we will probably use it all. According to Irina we would have to have all our luggage in the berth with us which would not leave much room for a 12 hour ride.

Thanks in advance,

Posted by: disculmawsu

Buckeye,
Most of the trains I have traveled on in Russia and Ukraine, there was no baggage car. You stowed your suitcases under the seats (under the seat there is a metal bin were you can put your baggage, which as long and as wide as the seat).
I would suggest traveling "Russian style" taking only a few changes of clothes and washing them as you go. O was amazed on the amount of clothes I brought with to Moscow in December. When she visited she brought only a small suitcase for clothes and washed them every few days.

Posted by: Buckeye5704

Hmm, I may rethink the big bags then. We have two carry on sized bags with just gifts so I'll have to see how I can arrange the load, but I think she is planning on taking a lot of clothes. I'm pretty good at packing a lot of clothes in a small space after 29 yrs of military life so it shouldn't be too difficult (for my stuff).

Thanks disc.

Posted by: disculmawsu

If you and Irina are taking a 1st class (just the two of you in compartment), then you could easily fit three relatively big suitcases - two under the seats and one under the little table. You might able to fit two small suitcases on the seats by the door. I will see if I can find the dimensions of the compartment.

Posted by: Buckeye5704

According to Irina the berth is about the size of my 8' truck bed. From what the travel agent in Y O tells me the delux is for 2 people and the 1st class is for 4. Did the agent misunderstand this? Is 1st class for 2 people?

Posted by: disculmawsu

I'll be honest that I don't know the difference between Deluxue and 1st class. When I traveled from Moscow to Kyiv, the agent I worked defined 1st class as Deluxue.
In my estimatation, the compartment about 7-8 ft long and about 5 ft wide. There are two benches or enough space for about two adults on each bench (they are not really benches, but it the best description I can come with ). I will see if I can find a good picture of 2nd Class compartment which should be similar in layout.

Posted by: I/O

Buck: The agent advised you correctly. Irina is also correct with the size and space available on trains. There is section where you can pay extra to have items stored but you would be nuts to let anything out of your sight. That would be crazy. I've travelled on Russian trains quite a bit, 4 suit cases will be a problem.

My question is what is she wanting to take in these "big" bags? Why is she taking so many clothes? She is planning to return with you.....right? You're sure?.

BTW, I travel with a 20" X 15" X 9" suit case and fit all I need quite easily. (I dress well) Think about your needs and shoes are always the killer space wise.

I/O

Posted by: Buckeye5704

Quote:

She is planning to return with you.....right? You're sure?.

A hunnert percent sure.

I saw her luggage today, not as big as I thought. A standard bag plus standard carry on. I'm gonna try to pack all the gifts into one bag and cut the number of bags down some. I'll be able to fit everything I need into one bag slightly larger than a carry on and we will share one carry on for our train clothes and she has plane clothes too, of course. Ya gotta love my Tsaritsa.

Mama has a washer/drier so we won't need a month's worth of clothes.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by I/O

Think about your needs and shoes are always the killer space wise.

I/O

I put my dress shoes in my little personal bag (looks like a small duffle bag) to save room in my big carry on. Funny thing, I never did wear them the whole trip. I tried to put them in the carry on, your right, they are space killers for sure. I think it would almost be better not to bring extra shoes, just buy them there and give them to someone before you leave, especially if you have really BIG shoes......LOL

Posted by: Buckeye5704

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

They're a good place to stuff socks and gift watches etc. But I'm not bringing many shoes anyway. 2 or 3 pr is all I'll need. House slippers, flip flops or sandles for the beach and one pr of casual moccasin like shoes.

Posted by: Raspberry

Large bags are a pain to carry up the steps of the train, as well as through the aisles of the train. Not to mention most of the train stations, which are mostly steps. Been there, done that.

Posted by: freebird

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye5704

From what the travel agent in Y O tells me the delux is for 2 people and the 1st class is for 4.

That is the way it was on the Ukrainian trains.

I've taken several trips of about 12 hours {Kiev - Crimea, Kiev - Odessa} and I personally prefer the option of getting a full cabin {all 4 places}, as it is more room than the 2 person deluxe. I think the tickets were about $35 each in 2006, so it was about $140 for the whole cabin, about the same as 2 deluxe berths. But the prices have probably gone up quite a bit since then....

I remember looking at the 2 person deluxe room and thinking it was a little cramped

If you do this, make sure that the ticket agent understands that you want all 4 berths in the same cabin, as we had one trip where they were split up.

Posted by: Buckeye5704

DESTINATION DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL PRICE

Moscow-Yoshkar-Ola
(departure from
the Kazanskiy railway
station)

All days 16:44 pm 7:15 am

$69.00 - open berth
$179.00 - first class
$259.00 - deluxe

That's the agency price. Mama MIGHT be able to get them about $20 cheaper for us. We'll know more later today when we talk to her. If Mama can buy them in Y O and we p/u in Moskva it'll save a couple bucks.

BTW, Priceline had the best prices for airfare this time out and it was a nonstop jfk to svo. $1143 each.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye5704

BTW, Priceline had the best prices for airfare this time out and it was a nonstop jfk to svo. $1143 each.

You definately waited too long to book that flight, I'm looking at JFK to Omsk, 1 stop in Moscow, (everyone stops in Moscow) for $968 via Aeroflot.

Posted by: clark

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

You definately waited too long to book that flight, I'm looking at JFK to Omsk, 1 stop in Moscow, (everyone stops in Moscow) for $968 via Aeroflot.

Are you guys quoting with taxes included or no? It's looking like I paid too much despite getting quotes on every conceivable website. The cheapest I could find to DME was $1100 plus taxes

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

Are you guys quoting with taxes included or no? It's looking like I paid too much despite getting quotes on every conceivable website. The cheapest I could find to DME was $1100 plus taxes

That is taxes and all out the door. But, it was for a date 60 days in advance. I learned my lesson the first time flying to SVO and waited only 31 days, that cost me $1470 from CMH in Ohio to SVO in Moscow. $968 is quoted on Orbitz.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

The cheapest I could find to DME was $1100 plus taxes

Why are you flying into DME and not SVO? I flew into DME from Egypt and seen no US based airlines there at all. We flew out of VNU going to Egypt. But, every flight I looked into going to Russia from the US flew into SVO.

Posted by: clark

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

I booked at about 45 days but was searching for weeks before that. I guess it might also be related to me having two other legs before reaching O'Hare for the last leg to Moscow. The price I pay for living in the boondocks I guess. I have another domestic flight to catch to Siberia after reaching Moscow which flies out of DME. At least I get to avoid SVO altogether. American Airlines has a direct Moscow flight from O'Hare to DME for about $900 (a fairly new route)

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

Where are you going in Siberia? I only priced from JFK to OMS, I will find my own way to JFK and it was for a Sept. departure date.

Posted by: Buckeye5704

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

You definately waited too long to book that flight, I'm looking at JFK to Omsk, 1 stop in Moscow, (everyone stops in Moscow) for $968 via Aeroflot.

Yer right, I did. Next year I'll be much further out in front with everything. Time just kinda snuck by me while I was gazing into those big brown eyes.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye5704

Yer right, I did. Next year I'll be much further out in front with everything. Time just kinda snuck by me while I was gazing into those big brown eyes.

I waited too long the first time also, but I was waiting and worrying about the Visa. Now that I know its no big thing to get one, I will book the flight way in advance next time.

Posted by: Buckeye5704

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

Are you guys quoting with taxes included or no? It's looking like I paid too much despite getting quotes on every conceivable website. The cheapest I could find to DME was $1100 plus taxes

Yup, that's our getting on the plane price. I'm gonna be a little more on the ball next year and see if I can use the "Name your own price" option.

BTW, Mama (I think) can get us train tickets (without food included) for around $125 each. Irina has a friend that works at the train station (the boss of the cashiers?) who should be able to help us with getting the tickets to Moskva for p/u when we get there. Another gift to buy too, sigh.

Posted by: TheWongs

I've done a lot of travelling on trains in Ukraine, in all compartments. I find there's not a huge amount of difference between the "classes", depending on the train you are on.

My first time in Ukraine, I booked all 4 bunks in 2nd class cabin. This was simply because I didn't understand or speak any Russian and didn't want the hastle of trying to communicate with other people on the train.

Next was 1st class with a friend. It was a little more comfortable, but not enough to warrent the extra money. The toilets were disgusting!!!

Most of my other trips have been 3rd class, sharing cabins whith whoever comes in. I've always had a good time and now that I can speak and understand a bit, it's cool! My last one was with Larisa, 3rd class and the train was superb! The toilets were the cleanest I've seen in Ukraine and the other passengers were great fun!

So... The bottom line is... It's pot luck!

You can go 1st class and have a bad trip, or go 3rd class and have a wonderful one. Anything else can happen inbetween.

In your situation, I would go for 2nd class and book all 4 bunks. This way, there will be plenty of space for all your cases, plus more. You will have the top bunks for storage as well as the under seat storage and also have privicy.

How far is the train ride your taking? The reason I ask is that I was talking to Larisa tonight about going to Moscow for our honeymoon in August. She wants me to meet her parents!

Anyway... She said it takes about 28 - 30 hours and will cost about $200 return for us both.

Posted by: AkMike

The trains in Ukraine also have storage above the hallway portion of the 'Lux'. Plenty of room for bags.

Posted by: Buckeye5702

Moskva to Yoshkar Ola is about 14 hours. We were an hour late getting in on Saturday so it was 15 hrs.

Irina is still lobbying for SV class on the return. We'll see.

Tim