How to choose a good train. Coupe car. How do I find my place? Take a break from your trip

Having bought a train ticket, it is always interesting - what place did you find?

Upper and lower shelves, side and non-side ... Everyone has different preferences, in general it is possible to single out better and worse places in the reserved seat.

There are only 54 seats in a reserved seat carriage. Unpaired numbers are the bottom shelves. Paired - upper. Seats 1-36 are usual. 37-54 - lateral.

On non-side seats, as for me, it is more pleasant to drive than on the side seats. Nobody walks back and forth next to you. However, if you are not far away, then I still prefer the side seat - you can sit at a table, looking out the window or reading a book, or fold the table and lie down for a nap. What can not be said about the upper side - it is perhaps the most uncomfortable. It will be bad for people of tall stature on the side wall - the "height" of the shelf is about 1.80 m. If on the side side you can get the nerve and put your feet into the aisle, then on the side wall it will hardly work.

The top places are good because no one bothers you - no one is running up and down, not sitting on your shelf, etc. etc. You can hide in a corner and sleep until you stop. I personally prefer this option. However, the top shelf is definitely not suitable for older people. It is also inconvenient if you want not to lie, but to sit - then you will have to "strain" the neighbors from below.

The lower seats are convenient because there is no need to climb up, there is a table, and the entire "trunk" under the shelf is at your disposal. (Of course, you can put your bags there, even if you have the upper seat, but I don't think the fellow traveler will like it if you wake him up to pick up your luggage.) On the lower shelf, you will be bored of neighbors climbing from above, and possibly nesting to drink a seagull on your shelf.

I would classify the places near the toilet as “bad” places (places 33-38). Place 36 has an additional wall (so that the legs do not interfere with opening the door :)). There can be unpleasant odors from outside the door, as well as passengers walking back and forth and slamming the door (which is often the most annoying).

I think places 01-04 and 53-54 are not very good. There are also passengers walking back and forth, constant conversations from the conductor's compartment and possible rattling at the door can be heard (mostly only in winter). Place 53 is sometimes an office one.

In the third and sixth compartments (seats 9-12, 21-24) there are emergency exit windows and hammers to break them. Rarely, but that can be a plus too.

Based on this all, I think what is best is the seats in the middle of the car. And lateral or not, upper or lower - already depends on the preferences and conditions of travel of everyone. Also, as practice shows, the comfort of the trip is quite dependent on fellow travelers - a trip in the most inconvenient place can be much more pleasant than on good location but with annoying neighbors.

The coming months are a great time to travel by train in Russia. Beautiful autumn landscapes are combined with minimal seasonal price ratios. Here's a selection of tips to help you make your trips better, more comfortable and more fun.

1. How to buy a seat next to an outlet?

Unfortunately, there is no 100% guarantee that the outlets will work, but the probability is high. In compartment cars, they are located between the third (seats 9, 11, 10, 12) and fourth (13, 14, 15, 16) compartments, as well as between the seventh (25,26,27,28) and eighth (29,30, 31.32).

In the reserved seat there are sockets about seats 5,7,8,9,29,30,31,32,41,42,59,60, as well as at the end of the car next to the toilet and dustbin.

On the one hand, driving near a power outlet is great, as it is convenient to charge your smartphone. But at the same time, it threatens the round-the-clock running of other passengers to your seat.

If possible, it is worth taking a tee with you on a trip so that several people can use the same outlet at the same time. Pilot will also help protect equipment from power surges. But it is better to hammer on the sockets in the carriages and carry the Power Bank with you.

2. Which carriage is better to choose?

It is optimal to take tickets to the central carriages. There are three main reasons for this:

1. They shake less than in the head carriage.

2. At stops for more than 10 minutes, it is convenient to run to the store.

3. Near the restaurant car, where you can come, buy a bottle mineral water and enjoy the cool air, few people, an outlet and, if you're lucky, Wi-Fi.

3. How to buy a ticket directly to the dining car?

So far, such an opportunity is only available on the Sapsan trains, which run on the Moscow-St. Petersburg route. This is a pretty good deal apart from the “take your protein bar” option.

For example, a ticket to the Sapsana economy class carriage from Moscow to St. Petersburg costs 1428 rubles, and a ticket to the bistro carriage (No. 5, 2E) 3945 (the exact price depends on the date and time of departure). But passengers on the last carriage can order food for 2,000 rubles. Examples of prices:

- Greek salad 220 RUB
- pork with young potatoes 500 rubles
- cold borscht 250 rubles
- porridge with nuts 200 rubles.

Not all passengers like the quality of the food in the dining cars. Better to spend this money on a normal cafe in St. Petersburg.

4. How to buy two upper or two lower seats in a compartment?

According to clause 15 of Section II of the "Rules for Passenger Carriage", when selling travel documents (tickets) to wagons with numbered seats (rigid with seats for lying, with 4-seater compartments and 2-seater compartments (CB)) to passengers purchasing two travel documents (ticket) and more, as a rule, an equal number of upper and lower seats is provided

In practice, this means that if you buy two tickets through the Russian Railways website or the terminal at the train station, then it is impossible to buy the two lower or two upper seats. This is very strange, but true.

The OneTwoTrip service comes to the rescue in such situations. When buying tickets with it, you can choose any combination of seats.

OneTwoTrip has two more advantages over the Russian Railways website. First, for the purchase of train tickets points are awarded that can be spent on hotels and flights. Secondly, the interface of their application and website is many times more convenient for choosing and buying tickets than the Russian Railways website.

5. How to buy a ticket in a minute?

When buying a ticket online on the Russian Railways website, you need to type on the keyboard a lot of information about passengers: names, surnames, dates of birth, passport numbers, and when paying, indicate your bank card details. And so before each trip. This is one of the many reasons to hate the Russian Railways website.

OneTwoTrip users only need to do this once. All information about yourself and your family members can be saved in a notebook and it will be automatically copied from there when buying tickets.

6. On what date is it more profitable to take a ticket?

When planning a trip, you should pay attention to the seasonal coefficients of Russian Railways. The ticket price for different dates may differ significantly. Therefore, before buying, it is worth checking the table of annual price changes. Above are the data for compartment and SV-carriages.

For example, you can buy a ticket for August 31st for 1200 rubles (9.06 - 31.08 seasonal coefficient + 20%). Or you can postpone the trip for a day and buy a ticket for September 1 for 1100 rubles (-10%). After September 18, the ticket will cost 900 rubles (-10%).

7. How many days before the train departure is it better to buy a ticket?

Russian Railways operates a dynamic pricing system. The basic principle of its operation is simple: “The more demand and fewer seats in the carriage, the higher the ticket price”. If you plan your trip 60 days in advance, you can save up to 50%.

September 1 - 2585 rubles;
September 11 - 2385 rubles;
October 9 - 1986 rubles;
October 26 - 1298 rubles.

8. What can you ask the guide?

Here are the items that the conductor is free is obliged to provide the passenger with:

• board games (checkers, chess, dominoes);
• a socket for charging a mobile phone;
• cold and hot boiled water;
• seat belts for the upper shelves;
• cutlery.

If you want to leave feedback on the conductor's work, then call 8-800-775-00-00 .

In 2016, 778 thousand Russians worked for Russian Railways. This number is larger than the population of Montenegro.

9. How to shower on the train?

Many passenger trains have a shower located in the headquarters car. This applies to all branded and most conventional formulations. To use it, you must agree with the conductor or the head of the train.

The official cost of this service is 150 rubles. Additionally, you can buy a set of towels for 100 rubles, hygiene products for 100 rubles and disposable slippers for 50 rubles.

It is very convenient to book train and plane tickets in one application. Plus, anyone who bought a train ticket on OneTwoTrip can book a hotel at a special price.

11. How to track Russian Railways shares?

Discount messages appear on social media pages on OneTwoTrip and as push notifications on the OneTwoTrip app. For example, now, when buying tickets for "Sapsan" on the day of departure, there is a 50% discount.

12. How to make money on train lateness?

For each hour of delay, you can get 3% of the ticket price. To do this, you need to submit an application to the Railway Administration, in whose subordination your train was, attach a ticket and a certificate confirming the delay or delay.

Just remember that Russian Railways may refuse compensation if the reason for the delay was “force majeure circumstances”. Which ones are not mentioned.

13. How can I get a discount on utility bills using train tickets?

If in your apartment no counters and the whole family was absent for more than 5 days, then within a month after returning from the trip, you can apply for the recalculation of utilities to the company that provides them to you. It is necessary to attach tickets there and back (they can be replaced with a travel certificate, a certificate from a sanatorium, hotel checks).

Yes, it works with e-tickets... Discount on utility bills when traveling is real Our editor-in-chief did this twice last year.

From January 1, 2017, such a statement must be accompanied by an "Inspection report for establishing the presence (absence) of the technical feasibility of installing individual, common (apartment), collective (common house) metering devices."

14. How to lose the minimum amount of money if the ticket is returned?

The amount that is returned when the tickets are returned is tied to the time:

a.) 8 hours before the train departure: the full cost of the ticket plus the full cost of the reserved seat minus a fixed refund fee (192 rubles 70 kopecks).

b.) Less than 8 hours and more than 2 hours before the train departure: the full ticket price plus 50% of the reserved seat price minus a fixed refund fee (192 rubles 70 kopecks)

v.) If there is less than 2 hours left before departure, you will be refunded 100% of the ticket price, but the entire cost of the reserved seat will be withheld (plus taxes).

What part of the ticket price falls on the reserved seat - you can see in the file with information about the order, which comes to the post office after buying the ticket.

If you are late, it is better to return the ticket no more than three hours after the train departure. If you keep within the interval from 3 to 12 hours, then in order to get the money back, you will need to write a claim statement.

To return tickets within a period from 12 hours to 5 days after the departure of the train, you will need to attach a doctor's certificate or other proof that the delay was not your fault.

Going on a train journey, passengers can independently choose the desired seats in the carriage. The most convenient way to do this is to have a carriage diagram in front of your eyes.

When buying a ticket on the Tutu.ru website, passengers choose seats either on the train carriage diagram, or by indicating only the range of seats. When choosing, you can see in advance which seats are already taken and which are free. The numbering of seats in the carriage begins from the compartment of the conductor.

The most popular way to travel by train is in a reserved seat. It has 54 seats, of which 18 are side seats. Traditionally, even places are at the top, and odd places are at the bottom. Seats 37 and 38 are very disliked by passengers. Not only are these “sides” of dubious comfort, but they are also located near the toilet. However, the direction is popular or it will not take long to travel, these places are actively sold out on an equal basis with others.

The compartment carriage has 36 seats, divided into 9 "compartments". One compartment has 4 shelves: two lower and two upper. The arrangement of seats in the carriage here is organized according to the same principle as in the reserved seat: even - upper, odd - lower. The upper bunk in a compartment is often sold at a discount and sometimes even compared in cost to travel in a reserved seat. There are sockets in the car not only near the toilets, but also in the corridor, so it will be possible to recharge the mobile phone without any problems.

Traveling in SV or in a suite can be called one of the most comfortable. One sleeping car can carry 18 people at the same time, two in each compartment. The layout of the seats here is simple - there are no upper shelves.

On international trains, you can find double, triple and four-seater compartments. These trains run to the Baltic States and the European Union. The numbering principle is the same here as in other trains. However, in three-seater coupes, it is different: the average will be seats ending in "3" and "4" - for example, 13 and 14.

High-speed trains "Sapsan", "Lastochka" and "Strizh" are equipped with seating cars of different classes. When choosing a seat, the passenger is primarily interested in how he will sit - against or in the direction of the train. Most often, you can pre-select the location of interest in the carriage, but sometimes when forming a train, the carriages can "overturn". In a seated carriage, when choosing a seat, you need to be especially careful so as not to be crushed by neighbors' knees all the way. Most often, it will not be possible to indicate the necessary seats on the train on the diagram, so you need to know the "comfort range" in advance. As a rule, this is the middle.

A diagram of a carriage with seats usually hangs near the ticket office at the station. This does not mean that now you will have to go there - when buying a ticket to Tutu.ru, you can choose a comfortable arrangement of seats on the train on an interactive scheme, where you can see free shelves, their tier, and also list the services that a passenger of a particular type of carriage receives. ...

Traveling in a reserved seat train is one of the most common modes of transportation for Russians. Note that the reserved seat train is a feature of Russian railways... And unlike the same compartment, reserved seat seats are good and not very good. Experienced travelers know a lot about reserved seat trains and choose seats based on personal experience... However, for those who do not know what are the best seats in a reserved seat carriage this article was written.

Platzkart carriage plan - diagram of seats in a platzkart carriage

The best places according to this scheme are places 1, 2, 3, 4 (marked in light green). They are the best for the following reasons:

Places 53 and 54 are almost always inaccessible for sale - apparently, this is some kind of reserve. At least not them, most often the blanket warehouse is located. This means that those who travel in the first section do not have side neighbors - almost a compartment. In addition, the conductor's compartment is located very nearby, which not only speaks of convenience, but also that the nearby toilet will be clean or at least odorless. In addition, there is a boiler with hot water nearby, which is especially useful when preparing tea and food, as there is less risk of spilling something. There is also a window next to the boiler where you can look and stretch your legs. In the end, you can leave the first section earlier and carry things closest. In general, places 1, 2, 3 and 4 are best places in a reserved seat carriage... That is why they are quite often busy, because they are bought primarily by experienced travelers on reserved seat trains.

The second place is taken by places: from 5 to 32 inclusive. These are all not side seats, except for the first and last section. These are just good reserved seats. They are marked in yellow on the diagram.

The third place is shared by non-side seats near the toilet (33, 34, 35, 36) and “sides” not near the toilet (from 39 to 52 inclusive). This is a question of choice, because the "sides" have their drawbacks, and the places in the last section have their own.

What's wrong with the side seats:

• The sleeping place and the eating place are one and the same place, since the lower sleeping place is transformed into a table. This is inconvenient, especially if strangers are riding on the top and bottom shelves.
• Passers-by constantly touch the "side" of the passenger, which does not allow him to sleep comfortably. If there are children on the train, they also often touch, not allowing them to relax.
• In the case of passengers resting on the sidewalls, the legs will necessarily be close to the face of the one who is located on the sidewall, which may not allow falling asleep or simply rest.
• The limited length of the berth does not allow people of large stature to stretch out and sleep peacefully

Non-side seats near the toilet (33, 34, 35, 36) also have their disadvantages, which are primarily associated with the presence of a toilet:

• the door to the toilet constantly opens and closes, this does not allow not only rest, but also often just fall asleep
• the smell that comes from the toilet makes it impossible to eat

Which option is worse is everyone's personal choice.

By far the worst option is the side seats at the toilet (37th and 38th seats). They combine the disadvantages of both the "sides" and the places near the toilet. Such places are bought last.

Separately, it is worth talking about the upper and lower places. There is no unequivocal opinion here. Let's list the pros and cons of the top and bottom seats.

• The upper seats allow you to rest and sleep without being distracted by neighbors' lunch breaks. Those who ride in the lower seats should give way to those who want to eat from the upper shelves.
• Luggage can be stowed under the lower seats without fear for its safety. Not all can reach the third shelf and it is really hard to put heavy things there. However, it so happens that the things of both passengers are placed in the lower shelf.
• It is safer for children to sleep in the lower places, as they will not fall from there. On the upper seats in the carriages, special fences are made to prevent falls.
• Climbing the top shelf can be quite difficult, especially for older people and women. But children like to sleep on top more.

Most of all, the upper seats are preferred by men who want to sleep or just relax, since it is not difficult for men to climb onto the upper shelf, and neighbors do not bother when they want to eat.

Are you going to hit the road and do not know in what place and in which carriage it is best to travel? Before going to the ticket office for tickets, you need to decide on the seats. If you think about buying a ticket in advance, then there should be no problem with the number of vacant seats. This means that you can tell the cashier about your preferences, and he will try to take them into account.

First, decide on the type of carriage. Coupe, reserved seat, SV or sit-down car... Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Passengers usually choose the appropriate option depending on their financial situation, physical condition and the presence of children traveling with them. Consider each of types of wagons.

• In a compartment carriage the contingent is usually calmer and more polite. And there are usually fewer passengers. This significantly reduces the queues for the toilet and for water. There is always a mirror on the door, which is very convenient for putting yourself in order. Probably the only drawback of the compartment car is the ticket price. It is almost twice the price for a seat in a reserved seat. If finances permit, it is better, of course, to travel with greater comfort.
• Econom-class train has enough of both disadvantages and advantages. Minuses: a large number of people are looking at you, it is uncomfortable to sleep, because you have to think about keeping your legs out of the shelf, the condition of such cars is often poor, toilets are closed at stations, there are queues in the morning. Of the advantages, I would like to note, of course, the acceptable cost of the ticket. Also, the presence of folding tables on the side seats, which is very convenient. There are no walls, as in a coupe, which opens up more space, etc.
• Very comfortable and pleasant SV carriage or sleeper... There are only 2 shelves, which is very convenient when you are traveling together. Sometimes there is a TV inside the compartment for watching movies. For long journeys, a sleeper car is the best choice, if, of course, it suits you according to your financial situation.
• And finally , seated car, which is usually interregional, that is, such trains travel short distances. Such a car does not differ in any conveniences, it looks like an ordinary minibus or a bus. An acceptable option if you are not far away and you want to spend the least amount.

Having decided on the carriage, you need to find out how the seat numbers in the carriage of your choice, and what are the advantages and disadvantages associated with it.

• In the reserved seat and the compartment, as probably many already know, the odd numbers are the lower seats, and the even ones are the upper ones.
• Windows in emergency compartments (3 and 6, both in compartment carriages and in reserved seats) do not open.
• The unpleasant side top seat near the toilet is at number 38.
• In the reserved seat, the top 36th place is the place where there is a partition, which reduces the shelf, there is still no handrail for climbing up.
• Also in the reserved seat seats 1,2,35,36 are shorter by 15 cm than all the others.
• Places numbered 29-31 are the most convenient, as they are close to the toilet, but there is no unpleasant smell, and much fewer people pass by there.

Here are some instructions choosing the best seat for you on the train. Read