Why You Should Skip Russian Trains and Choose Flights Instead

Traveling by Russian trains can be a challenging experience that often pushes travelers to opt for air travel despite the allure of scenic train rides. Here’s why switching to flights makes more sense for most travelers.

Don’t get me wrong—I love trains! High-speed trains like Germany’s ICE or Italy’s scenic routes offer breathtaking views and comfort. The double-decker Caltrain in San Francisco swiftly connects you to Silicon Valley hotspots like Stanford and Palo Alto at affordable prices. I dream of exploring Japan’s and South Korea’s advanced rail networks someday.

1. Train tickets in Russia are costly. For example, a sleeper cabin ticket from Moscow to Ulyanovsk costs around $75, while a flight covers the same route in just 1.5 hours for roughly the same price. Why endure hours of travel when you can fly faster for similar costs?

2. Train stations often reflect the harsher realities of the country. No matter how fancy your home is, train stations can be unpleasant places filled with unpleasant odors and low-quality food stalls. Unfortunately, these stations remain largely unchanged and uninviting.

3. Security personnel at train stations tend to be less courteous compared to those at airports, where staff usually greet you with a smile and well wishes.

4. The views from Russian trains are rarely captivating—mostly dull landscapes like ditches or forest edges, unlike the picturesque scenery seen on European routes.

5. Train station architecture in Russia is uninspiring and lacks the grandeur of European masterpieces.

6. Expect constant creaks and noises inside train compartments—whether it's hangers banging, lamps squeaking, or walls groaning—making restful sleep a challenge.

7. Air conditioning systems on trains are unreliable, often leaving passengers either freezing or sweating, and sometimes turned off entirely due to unruly passengers.

8. The service style on Russian trains feels stuck in the past, unchanged since the Soviet era, with outdated customer interaction and service practices.

9. Train interiors transport you back in time with old curtains, tablecloths, artificial flowers, and outdated audio devices—an experience that may make you question the value of your ticket.

10. Only on trains will you encounter the strong odors of packed meals like chicken, boiled eggs, and local sausages, which can be overwhelming and inescapable.

11. Fellow passengers often engage you in unwanted conversations, unlike on planes where wearing headphones is a universal sign to be left alone.

12. Conductors wake you up hours before arrival to collect bedding, which can feel intrusive and unnecessary.

13. The traditional tea served in glass holders is more of a nostalgic gesture than a comfort, often accompanied by clattering noises throughout the night.

14. Privacy is minimal on trains—you might find yourself exposed to unpleasant sights and smells from other passengers.

15. Border crossings by train involve multiple document checks and interruptions, unlike streamlined airport procedures with secure boarding.

16. Smoking rules are strictly enforced on flights, but train carriages often suffer from lingering smoke odors, creating an uncomfortable environment.

17. Trains are slow. A journey that takes six hours by car can stretch to 11 hours by train, whereas flying reduces travel time significantly even after accounting for airport procedures.

18. Reliable phone signal, internet access, and power outlets are scarce on trains, limiting connectivity during long trips.

Yes, I’m writing this while on a train at 2:02 AM, accompanied by persistent rattling noises that prevent sleep. After paying a premium for a sleeper cabin, this is disappointing.

Next time, I won’t hesitate—I’ll fly. Russian trains are better suited for freight and livestock transport than comfortable passenger travel.

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