How to Read a Russian Ticket?

No matter which type of ticket you have received, e-ticket or paper ticket, it’s necessary to understand the essential information on the Russian ticket before a trip. Many important information are displayed on the ticket, including travel date and time, departure and arrival stations, train number and carriage number, passenger information, etc. When you get the ticket, it’s better to double check these information and make sure you’ve booked a correct one.
 

In general, there are two types of tickets in Russia, E-ticket and Paper Ticket:
 

E-Ticket: E-ticket is divided into two types: E-ticket with registration and E-ticket without registration. E-ticket with registration doesn’t have to be exchanged before the trip. You just need to show this e-ticket and your passport to board the train.
 

You need to exchange for a boarding pass prior to your trip if you hold an e-ticket without registration. You can easily print out the boarding pass at a ticket machine at the train station. So please leave yourself enough time to print it out and go security, then get on the train. Normally, it will not take much time to exchange the boarding pass.
 

Paper Ticket: There are still certain routes which only support paper tickets, even though e-tickets are used widely in Russia. Paper tickets are usually delivered to the passengers’ appointed address in the departure city. Paper ticket and the original passport are the must to board the train, while copies are unaccepted. Thus, please keep it safe and don’t lose or damage it. The lost or damaged ticket cannot be re-issued.
 

We have listed three ticket samples that you will possibly come across as follows, illustrating some important information on them.
 

① Passenger Information.

② Departure Date and Time.

③ Departure Station.

④ Arrival Station.

⑤ Arrival Date and Time.

⑥ Ticket Class.

⑦ Train No.

⑧ Carriage No.

⑨ Seat/Berth No.
 

Russian international paper tickets are issued for some international routes, like Russia to Europe and Russia to China. Here is a quick guide on how to read an international paper ticket.

① Passenger Information.

② Ticket Class.

③ Departure Date and Time.

④ Departure Station.

⑤ Arrival Station.

⑥ Arrival Date and Time.

⑦ Passenger No.

⑧ Train No.

⑨ Carriage No.

⑩ Seat/Berth No.
 

Domestic paper tickets are gradually replaced by e-tickets. But it still can be found in some specific routes. To board the train, paper ticket as well as the original passport are required and need to be checked. 

① Train No.

② Departure Date and Time.

③ Carriage No.

④ Passenger No.

⑤ Departure/Arrival Station.

⑥ Seat/Berth No.

⑦ Passenger Information.

⑧ Arrival Date and Time.
 

The travel peak season in Russia is May to September. Since the ticket price may vary for several reasons: the time of purchase, the type of train, and the type of car, it is important to book the tickets in advance, at least one month before or even earlier. Ticket price will be increased when the date is approaching as there is more demand for tickets. Thus, if you want to have a variety of seat classes to choose and get the cheapest price, please book the ticket as early as you can.