Milan - Moscow by train, the railway line that starts from Nice, passes through Milan and arrives in Moscow via Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy with the new Rail Europe railway line.
Russia, Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and France. Since 2010, a train of the Federal Travelers Company, a branch of the Russian railways RZD, insures the former weekly connection between Milan and Moscow starting from Nice.
Since 2016, travelers have increased by 20%.
Every Thursday, the train leaves Moscow from Belorussky station to arrive in Nice on Saturday evening. The return from Nice all takes place every Sunday with arrival in Moscow on Tuesday evening. Well 3.300 km journeys every week between Russia and France through 5 countries: Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria andItaly and calls at 26 stations, including Bolzano, Verona, Milan and Genoa as well as Innsbruck and Vienna.
Il Milan Moscow train it is made up of 12 wagons of which 2 restaurant wagons. The ticket price varies, there are seats that also cost 200€ and trains that cost first class, up to a thousand euros. The staff consists of 28 controllers of Russian railways who also speak French.
I tickets are possible quietly buy on the site Trains Russia, where you can also see the dates and times and prices specifically. The site is very accurate with a section of questions and answers very useful for those who take the Milan - Moscow train for the first time and do not know what they are going to encounter.
Provodnik and Provodnitsa during the trip
Regardless of the class you decide to buy, on the train and for the entire duration of the journey, there are two managers on each carriage, provodnik (man) or provodnitsa (woman). The provodnik checks the tickets at the carriage door at the entrance, while immediately after departure, the provodnik will pass through the carriage to collect the tickets and the linen fee.
The linen (two sheets, a pillowcase and a towel) is distributed in sealed packages.
It is possible and recommended to bring along tea bag from home, but also freeze-dried soups or other, together with cups or bowls because at the end of the corridor of each carriage, there is a hot water dispenser, which can be used for free and unlimited. In addition to this, the train has two dining carriages that serve breakfasts and meals at affordable prices.
Clothing and travel documentation
Travel comfortably, wear it tracksuits and sweatshirts or nothing too stringent, because 48 hours of travel are not few and spending them pulled in uncomfortable clothes is not the best for such a long journey.
In proximity to the border there will be customs officers from all the countries you pass through who will come to check your passports and visas. Sometimes the check may take up to a few hours, in which case the bathrooms may be temporarily closed. Be patient and be ready with the documents.
Hygiene during the Milan Moscow
On the Milan Moscow trains, they are two bathrooms in each carriage, at both ends, equipped with a very thick shower. If there are no showers in your carriage, you can request the use of the shower in the neighboring carriage. The sheets are supplied together with pillowcase and towel usually free of charge and in sealed envelopes, because included in the price, if your ticket does not include them, you can buy them for a minimum sum (usually 50 rubles, 1.50 €).
Which trains are you traveling on?
Firmenny: high quality trains, including Krasnaya Strela which operates the Moscow - St. Petersburg route or the Moscow - Vladivostok route. Among the services to mention air conditioning and service on board.
Skory: good trains with better prices than Firmenny. They usually have a dining car and unlike the previous ones that are called by their name, they are identified with two digits, for example 11 or 26.
Passazhirsky: Ordinary trains, usually slow, make more stops and often use older carriages. They generally have a three-digit code, for example 904.
Spalny Vagon, first class: private compartments with two berths, nine compartments for each carriage. The bathrooms and toilets are located at the end of the corridor. The fare is high, but you have double the space for each passenger. Recommended for all those who want more privacy and comfort.
Kupe, second class: compartments with four berths, nine compartments per carriage. The bathrooms are located down the hall. It is possible to buy tickets with or without service included, or with linen and meals included or not.
Platskartny, third class: couchette car not divided into compartments. There are 54 bunks per carriage, arranged in groups of four bunks on one side of the aisle, and two on the other. The cheapest option and the perfect way to travel like a real Russian.
Moving from Russian stations and back
Buying a train to Moscow online and then getting on is not that complicated, but when you have to buy it in Moscow or if you will decide to move to Russia with other trains, how will you do it?
Tickets can usually be purchased at each train station at kassa. To buy a ticket, you must present your own passport (other documents are not valid) and payment can be made only in rubles. The ticket office staff generally speak only Russian and the lines are generally very long, ranging from the hour up, especially in large cities.
Each Russian city typically has more than one station, so don't assume that the train ticket you purchased leaves from that station. There are also train boards in Russia with the train number and specific time as well as the platform, trust that.
Finally, if you have to get off before the terminus, notify the person in charge of the carriage because a stop could be made in the middle of the night and could thus come and wake you up as well as the fact that in this way you could be better prepared for the descent.
