A reserved seat car is the most popular type of car for traveling around Russia and one of the cheapest. The carriage consists of nine open compartments. Each compartment consists of 6 beds arranged in two tiers
The compartment has three luggage racks. Four seats are located across the carriage and two are located along (side seats). There are a total of 54 sleeping places or 81 seats in the carriage. The berths located across the carriage are numbered from 1 to 36, and the side berths are numbered from 37 to 54. In a reserved seat carriage, all lower bunks have odd numbers, and the upper ones have even numbers
37th place and 38th place
Seats 37 and 38 in a reserved seat carriage are located in the ninth open compartment. Seats 37 and 38 are adjacent to the toilet. 37th place is the bottom shelf, and 38th place is the top shelf.
39th place and 40th place
Seats 39 and 40 in a reserved seat carriage are located in the eighth compartment. 39th place is the bottom shelf, and 40th place is the top shelf. Opposite seats 39 and 40 are seats 29, 30, 31 and 32. 29th and 31st places are the bottom places.
41st place and 42nd place
Seats 41 and 42 in a reserved seat carriage are located in the seventh compartment. Place 41 is the bottom shelf, and place 42 is the top shelf. Seats 41 and 42 are opposite seats 25, 26, 27 and 28. 25th place and 27th place are on the lower shelves.
43rd place and 44th place
Seats 43 and 44 in a reserved seat carriage are located in the sixth compartment. The 43rd place is located at the bottom (lower shelf), and the 44th place is the top shelf. Seats 43 and 44 are located opposite seats 21, 22, 23 and 24. 21st place and 23rd place are the bottom places.
45th place and 46th place
Seats 45 and 46 in a reserved seat carriage are located in the fifth compartment. The 45th place is at the bottom, and the 46th place is the top shelf. The 45th and 46th places are located opposite the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th places. The 17th and 19th places are the lowest places.
47th place and 48th place
Seats 47 and 48 in a reserved seat carriage are located in the fourth compartment. The 47th place is at the bottom, and the 48th place is the top shelf. Seats 47 and 48 are located opposite seats 13, 14, 15 and 16. 13th and 15th places are the bottom places.
On train tickets the type of carriage is designated; for non-compartment cars with sleeping places (reserved seat) the designation is assigned - PL (P).
The Czech Republic and its capital Prague are becoming an increasingly popular route for Russian tourists. The popularity of mystical Prague, former capital The Holy Roman Empire is quite understandable. Throughout the Czech Republic there are many interesting places, attractive to tourists of any type - from shopping lovers to connoisseurs of truly beautiful architecture.
One of the most pressing questions is how to get to Prague more conveniently? And here it is worth noting that the train, the oldest method, still remains a very convenient way to travel.
To Prague by train - advantages and disadvantages
The train route from Moscow to Prague is one of the old routes connecting Russia with Europe; it was not always as convenient as it is now, but its existence can be traced back to the times of the Russian Empire.
The advantages of this method of transportation can be broadly divided into classic and modern. The first relate to issues of the eternal dispute between train and plane, the second – to issues of modern service that the Russian and Czech transport systems can provide.
Classic benefits:
- the train journey is safer, suitable for people suffering from aerophobia or simply afraid of air vehicles;
- the train can carry luggage and fragile objects; it is safer for transporting children, including infants;
- the train, if we take all the pros and cons, is more comfortable than the plane, although on short flights this is not so noticeable, in any case it is “healthier”;
- travel by train, especially the Moscow-Prague train, which goes through almost the entire Eastern Europe, becomes one of the most scenic road adventures a tourist can imagine.
Service benefits:
- the Moscow-Prague train includes very comfortable international carriages in the version of 1-2 seater compartments;
- there is a chance to purchase Czech beer from the guides, both on the way and with you.
The disadvantages of traveling by train can also be divided into eternal difficulties and immediate shortcomings of the service in the modern situation. It is worth noting that the Moscow-Prague route is considered one of the relatively convenient ones and does not have many disadvantages, especially with the introduction of the new train.
Eternal difficulties:
- it takes a long time to get there by train - this option is only suitable for those who are willing to sacrifice a couple of days of rest or are simply in no hurry;
- On the way, you will have to experience communication with customs officers three times, although they cause, most often, less inconvenience than a double crossing through customs when using an airplane.
Current issues:
- the carriages of the Moscow-Prague train, although they are considered comfortable, European, with increased comfort, still remain quite cramped, both in terms of corridors and in terms of compartments, of which three-seaters are especially uncomfortable;
- The state of affairs with tariffs and discounts from Russian Railways for 2019 makes the cost of a ticket for the Vltava train higher than the price of an air flight under the same conditions.
Despite the presence of serious disadvantages, getting to Prague by train is quite convenient, and it is also a great way to see the cities and landscapes of several countries, including castles, forests and lakes of Prague itself.
Branded train "Vltava" - Moscow-Prague (21/22) - prices, schedule and new details
Previously, the Moscow-Prague train, under the general name “Vltava” and number 21/22, was a complex of international carriages that were attached to other trains going to Brest, and then from Brest through the territory of Belarus, Poland and the Czech Republic to Prague.
Moreover, it is worth noting that the “Czech” cars were attached to completely different trains; it was difficult to even recognize them, since the Prague-Moscow trains had different numberings.
Since the end of 2013, the Vltava train of a new, high-speed type was introduced on the route, designed for regular flights along the established Moscow-Prague route with a minimum of “interchange” inconveniences.
The train now follows an optimized route, runs quickly and regularly, its introduction demonstrates the increasing interest of Russian residents in the route.
The international carriages in the new train contain single (luxury), double and triple (economy) compartments; the contents of the compartments mainly differ only in the number of shelves and convenience of location.
The price of a ticket for a single compartment one way will be from 14 thousand rubles to 800 euros, the cost of a ticket for a double compartment is around 400 euros for one seat, for a three-seat compartment – from 8 to 12 thousand rubles per seat.
Russian Railways also provides a wide range of discounts on various ticket purchase options:
- 30% when purchasing an entire compartment by two passengers;
- 30% for an adult with a child;
- 40% adult group of six people;
- 50% discount for children included in the group;
- 35% holiday discounts on birthdays and weddings.
There are also seasonal and corporate discounts.
The Moscow-Prague train departs from the Belorussky railway station.
In winter ( from late October to March) the Moscow-Prague train starts from the capital of Russia according to the schedule at 8:43 morning, and arrives in Prague at 9:47 the next day.
Travel time is 28 hours. Trains depart every week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving in Prague on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, respectively.
During the summer ( from late March to October), "Vltava" goes to 7:44 Moscow time and arrives in Prague at 9:47 , spending an hour more than the “winter” option on the road. Departure and arrival days do not change.
Prague-Moscow trains depart from Prague Station in 16:47 with arrival in 23:20 (winter) and 22:30 (summer).
Previously, Moscow-Prague trains departed at 23:44 , with arrival in the capital of the Czech Republic in 20:15 .
It is worth considering that old route, with departure at 23:44, is closed on May 20, 2014 and the new Vltava remains the only train operating between Moscow and Prague on a permanent basis. The return evening route Prague-Moscow (based on a train from Vienna) is also cancelled.
Previously, the Moscow-Prague train spent 33 hours on the road to cover 2,111 kilometers, but now the journey has been shortened by five hours with route optimization.
Previously, the route of the Vltava ran through Belarus, Poland and the territory of the Czech Republic; now, as Russian Railways reports, the route runs through the territory of Belarus, Poland and Slovakia. The main parking lots are Vyazma, Brest (two hours to change wheels), Terespol, Bogumin.
The Moscow-Prague train is equipped with modern international carriages, which are equipped with air conditioning, 220 V sockets, comfortable seats and other amenities.
The main differences between international carriages:
- sleeping shelves (70 cm wide) are located on one side, which is convenient for single and double compartments, but creates difficulties in three-seater ones;
- on the opposite side of the compartment there is a table, under the lid of which a working washbasin is hidden, as well as clothes hangers and limited space for luggage;
- the lower compartment compartment can be transformed, with the help of a guide, into a set of three soft seats, but it has limited space for luggage;
- international compartments are cramped - approximately a quarter to a third more cramped than the domestic compartments familiar to Russian passengers.
International carriages intended for movement along the route are painted in the colors of the Russian flag (white, blue, red), they are cramped inside and squat on the outside than ordinary Russian carriages.
Crossing the border - customs and changing tires
Customs control on the Moscow-Prague train has to take place at the border of Russia and Belarus, at the Polish and Czech border, and now a part with Slovak territory will also be added.
Formally, inspection involves checking luggage and validating documents; the quality and difficulty of the procedure depends on specific customs officers - sometimes you can do without even inspecting your belongings, and sometimes your passport is checked with a magnifying glass and an infrared lamp. There is no particular difference in relation to the Belarusian and Polish borders.
To pass customs control it is necessary to fill out customs declarations, where it is especially important to enter information about the exact amount of money, alcohol, and tobacco products. It is better to discuss details, details and difficulties with declarations and customs documents, if something is not clear, with the conductor.
During the longest stop in Brest, wheel sets are changed, when wheels for the wider Russian gauge are replaced with narrow European ones. The procedure lasts two to three hours, but walking around the city can be problematic - the exit is located in the customs control zone, and the shift takes place in a covered depot, from which it is not so easy to leave.
Previously, on the Moscow-Prague route, after Brest, there was a long stop in Minsk, but now it is missing - a measure necessary to reduce the duration of the journey.
"Vltava" - passenger reviews
Traveling by train from Moscow to Prague remains quite popular among tourists and passengers traveling to the capital of the Czech Republic on business, and one can come across quite varied reviews - from the statement that the trip “is a living hell” to enthusiastic exclamations about “ best trip in life". It is also worth noting the numerous myths about gas-blowing robbers and thieves on trains, as well as the “atrocities” of customs officers.
- Elena, Moscow:
“When we were going to Prague for the first time, we decided to get off in Brest. So to get back you had to run around and be nervous - they let you in at the station only through customs, and you were almost late for departure.
We don’t go there anymore on the way, but on way back– it’s easy, you can always calmly take a walk, see the city, buy something. I don’t see any masochism, as some say, in traveling by train. My family and I like it.
We have been traveling in August for many years now, our carriage is jam-packed, but we meet good fellow travelers. The ride is convenient, the train is clean, there are no problems at customs; sometimes, on the way back, Belarusians inspect those who have a lot of luggage. This year we will go again by the end of August, we will go by train again! Hurry up!”
- Peter, Tver:
“Taking the train to Prague is simply a sophisticated form of masochism. Unfortunately, I have to travel myself, for reasons beyond my control. If there is another option, it’s better not to use the train, especially since it’s more expensive than a plane.”
- Alexander, Tula:
“You can travel, but it’s cramped; by plane it’s faster, but it’s dangerous. I'm afraid of heights. And so, new train– comfortable, still clean, not so many people when it’s not the season. I mainly travel for business, and sometimes I almost rest on the road.”
In this video you can see what the carriage and compartment of the Moscow-Prague train looks like:
The journey by Vltava train from Moscow is one of the easiest and convenient ways get to Prague, it is suitable for big companies, For family vacation and for everyone who wants not only to get to the capital of the Czech Republic, but also to see a lot along the way. The train is not the most profitable or fastest option, but it is the most interesting.
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What is an electronic ticket and electronic registration?
Purchase electronic ticket to the website - a modern and fast way to issue a travel document without the participation of a cashier or operator.
When purchasing an electronic train ticket, seats are redeemed immediately at the time of payment.
After payment, to board the train you need:
- or go through electronic registration;
- or print your ticket at the station.
Electronic registration Not available for all orders. If registration is available, you can complete it by clicking on the appropriate button on our website. You will see this button immediately after payment. You will then need your original ID and a printout of your boarding pass to board the train. Some conductors do not require a printout, but it is better not to risk it.
