What types of carriages are available on Russian trains? (PHOTOS)

Sitting carriages

Sitting carriages are typically found on high-speed trains (such as the 'Sapsan', 'Lastochka', 'Avrora', 'Nevsky Express', and others). The configuration depends on the train, but in any case, you'll get a soft, comfortable seat. All modern trains have air conditioning and power sockets for gadgets, as well as access to a media center – so you can watch movies on the go.

When buying a ticket, sitting carriages are marked with the letter 'С' ('S'), and the number before the letter indicates the class of carriage. Other markings used for sitting carriages include 'Ж' ('Zh', pets allowed), 'Р' ('R', enhanced comfort), and 'Е' ('E', standard seats). First-class options usually include meals.

For example, the 'Sapsan' trains use the following designations:

• ‘1Р’ – Conference compartment (4-seat first-class compartment)
• ‘1В’ – First class (business lounges at stations, meals, and other perks)
• '1Ж' – Suite compartment (2-seat compartment with pets allowed)
• '1С' – Business class (with meals and a travel kit)
• '2Я' – Comfort (upgraded economy)
• '2Е' – Bistro car (with meals)
• '2Ю' – Family carriage (with a children's play area and meals)
• '2С' – Economy (reclining seats)
• '2Ж' – Economy with pets allowed
• '2В' – Economy+ (with meals)
• '2Р' – Basic

Luxury carriages

This is the most comfortable type of carriage. These carriages consist of 4–6 compartments, each larger than standard. Inside, you'll find a fold-out sofa-bed and an upper berth, a shower, a bio-toilet, air conditioning, and often a TV. The compartment is sold as a whole for 1–2 passengers.

The ticket price includes bed linen, a travel kit, meals, access to business lounges at stations, and transfer service to the station or around the city.

On tickets, these are marked as ‘1А’ (4 compartments per carriage with a bar), ‘1И’ (5 compartments), and ‘1М’ (6 compartments).

SV Carriages (First-class carriages)

‘СВ’ stands for ‘спальный вагон’ (sleeping carriage) and denotes first-class level. Each compartment has two lower berths. The service package is almost the same as in Luxury, but typically there's no private shower and transfer is not included – though this depends on the specific train.

SV carriages are marked on tickets as ‘1Б’, ‘1Э’, ‘1Т’, ‘1Е’ (the top-tier options), as well as ‘1У’, ‘1Л’, ‘1Д’, ‘1Х’, and ‘1Ф’ (in these, some amenities like a TV may not be available).

Compartment carriages (Second class)

Second-class carriages offer the best value for money and comfort. Each carriage has 8–9 enclosed compartments designed for 4 people (2 upper and 2 lower berths).

Each berth is sold separately, and often you can choose a women-only or men-only compartment, or buy out all the berths for your own group.

For compartment carriages, the best options are ‘2Э’, ‘2Т’, ‘2Ф’, ‘2Ч’, ‘2Ц’ (with meals and a travel kit including slippers), and ‘2К’ (with air conditioning and a bio-toilet). However, carriages marked ‘2Б’, ‘2Д’, ‘2Н’, ‘2Л’, ‘2У’, and ‘2Х’ do not guarantee these facilities.

Platzkart carriages (Third-class carriages)

The golden classic of railway romance! Third-class carriages consist of open-plan sleeping sections. Each platzkart carriage has 54 berths: upper (even numbers), lower (odd numbers), and side berths (which also come in upper and lower – seats 37 to 54).

Modern platzkart carriages come with air conditioning, bio-toilets, power sockets, shower cabins, and in some cases even curtains.

On your ticket, look for these markings: ‘3Э’, ‘3П’, ‘3Б’ (with air conditioning and bio-toilet), ‘3Т’, ‘3Д’ (with air conditioning, but a bio-toilet may not be available), and ‘3У’, ‘3Л’ (neither bio-toilet nor air conditioning is guaranteed).

If you're in a platzkart carriage without air conditioning, it's best to avoid seats 9–12, 21–24, 43–44, and 49–50 – these are located near emergency windows that do not open.