Sapsan High-Speed Train Overview

The high-speed Sapsan train is among the most popular trains in Russia, running on the Moscow to St. Petersburg route. Named in honor of one of the fastest birds in the world, it can travel at a speed of about 250 kilometers per hour. The Sapsan express train is a German train which was designed by Siemens. Run by the Russian Railways, it boasts several coach classes, can carry 550 passengers at once, and has modern onboard amenities. For entertainment, films are projected on screens in the car, newspapers, and magazines are also available, plus passengers are free to use the complimentary Sapsan WiFi. Moreover, train staff have food carts and there are is even a Restaurant car with a bistro where beverages, snacks, and hot meals are sold.

 

Sapsan train classes

The train has very well-equipped coaches, as a rule there are 10 of them forming a trainset. Regardless the train class, each has big windows, special areas for large luggage, a coat rack, toilet facilities and comfortable seats with foldable tables. Yet the Sapsan train ticket price depends on the selected travel class.

There are 6 types of classes on Sapsan trains to choose from. The simplest and most affordable option is Economy class, the only difference of the next available class type, Economy Plus+, from it is an included meal to the ticket price. The Dining Class seats are placed right in the Restaurant Car and such seats are arranged around tables. The Business Class cars are more spacious and provide larger seats, whereas seats in the Sapsan Premium Class car, also called First Class, are designed to provide utmost comfort and have fully adjustable and reclining almost horizontally seats. What is more, there's also a Conference cabin onboard the train which can be fully booked for a group of four travelers.

 

Sapsan train stations

The journey on a Sapsan from St. Petersburg to Moscow or vice versa usually takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours from one station to the other. The Sapsan train station Moscow is Leningradsky Station which can be easily reached via the Komsomolskaya metro station. Moskovsky train station St. Petersburg is a building-twin of that in Moscow. The Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station is the closest one to this St. Petersburg train station.

 

Sapsan train routes

Most Sapsan trains connect Moscow and St. Petersburg but what not all travelers know about is that there's one St. Petersburg to Nizhny Novgorod train per day and one back. Along the way, this train stops in several towns, including Tver, Vladimir, and Moscow, but unlike the rest of the Sapsans, it goes to Moscow's Kursky Rail Station. Therefore when you buy Sapsan train tickets online make sure to carefully check which station in Moscow it departs from or arrives to, as it may not always be Leningradsky Station.

 

Sapsan train schedule

For the convenience of travelers, the Sapsan timetable has more than 10 daily departures each way. The earliest trains depart around 6 a.m. and the latest is at 9 p.m. The average travel time is surprisingly less than 4 hours. Nevertheless, no matter which time you choose, make sure to arrive well in advance as you need to save enough time for passing the security check procedure as well as keep in mind that boarding is closed 20 minutes before departure.

 

Travel Classes Onboard SAPSAN Train

    • Sapsan Conference Cabin
    • Sapsan Conference Cabin
    • Sapsan Conference Cabin
    • Sapsan Train

    4-seat Conference Cabin

    The most unique and private travel option on Sapsan bullet trains. This class offers to travel in a lockable cabin which is booked entirely (for 1 to 4 passengers max). The wide leather seats are set 2 by 2 opposite each other around the table, are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, lights for reading. The cabin is equipped with a multifunctional multimedia system and TV, WiFi, electric plugs, air-conditioning, there’s also a small sofa and a minibar. One hot meal is included in the ticket price, it is also possible to buy snacks and beverages in the Restaurant Car or from food trolleys. Moreover, the ticket provides access to the Business Lounge on the rail stations and includes a travel kit with a pillow and blanket. What is more, a transfer upon arrival is also included in the price.
    The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
    Mask is required

    • Sapsan Economy + Class
    • Sapsan Economy + Class
    • Food on Sapsan Train
    • Sapsan Train

    Economy Class Seat +

    There is 1 car of this type in a Sapsan trainset, it can carry 51 passengers. It is equipped with seats with 2 by 2 arrangement with folding tables (some of the seats are set 2 by 2 around 4 tables). The seats are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, lights for reading, and one electricity plug per two seats. There are several TVs, coat and luggage racks, overhead shelves for smaller bags, air-conditioning, as well as 1 bathroom per car. Seats for passengers with special needs as well as those who are traveling with kids or pets are also available. One meal is included in the ticket price (as a rule, a sandwich with coffee or tea), it is also possible to buy snacks and beverages in the Restaurant Car or from food trolleys.
    The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
    Mask is required

    • Business class seats on high-speed Sapsan
    • Meal included in ticket price of business class on high-speed train Sapsan
    • Sapsan Train

    Business Class Seat

    Generally, there is 1 car of this type in a Sapsan trainset, it can carry 52 passengers. It is equipped with seats with 2 by 2 arrangement with folding tables and extra legroom (some of the seats are set around tables). The wide leather seats are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, lights for reading, media modules, and one electricity plug per two seats. There is free WiFi in the car, 4 TVs, coat and luggage racks, overhead shelves for smaller bags, air-conditioning, 1 bathroom per car, different newspapers for passengers. One hot meal is included in the ticket price, it is also possible to buy snacks and beverages in the Restaurant Car or from food trolleys. Moreover, the ticket provides access to the Business Lounges at the rail stations.

    • Sapsan Restaurant Car
    • Sapsan Restaurant Car
    • Food on Sapsan Train
    • Sapsan Train

    Restaurant Car Seat

    There is 1 car of this type in a Sapsan trainset, it can carry 40 passengers. It is equipped with seats set 2 by 2 opposite each other around tables. The seats are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, lights for reading. The car has air-conditioning, as well as 1 bathroom per car. The ticket price already includes a pre-deposit (generally, about 2000 Russian Rubles ~ 30 USD) which you may spend during your trip in this very car, ordering food and drinks.
    The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
    Mask is required

    • Premium class seat on Sapsan train
    • Sapsan Premium class
    • Seats location in Premium class on Sapsan train
    • Sapsan Train

    Premium Class Seat

    This high-comfort car class is the best one on offer on Sapsan bullet trains. There is 1 car of this type in a trainset, designed for as little as 19 passengers. The extra spacious seats in this coach are arranged 1 by 2 and provide utmost comfort. The wide leather seats are adjustable, very flexible, have extra legroom, as well as armrests, footrests, folding tables, lights for reading, individual TV sets, and power sockets. There is free WiFi in the car, coat and luggage racks, overhead shelves for smaller bags, air-conditioning, as well as 1 bathroom per car. One hot meal is included in the ticket price, it is also possible to buy snacks and beverages in the Restaurant Car or from food trolleys. Moreover, the ticket provides access to the Business Lounge on the rail stations and includes a travel kit with a pillow and blanket.
    The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
    Mask is required

    • Sapsan Economy Class
    • Sapsan Economy Class
    • Sapsan Train

    Economy Class Seat

    This class type on board the modern Russian high-speed Sapsan train is the simplest of the available options. As a rule, there are 6 cars of this type in a trainset, each coach can carry 64 passengers and is equipped with seats (2 by 2 arrangement with folding tables; 16 of the seats are set 2 by 2 around 4 tables). The seats are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, and lights for reading. There are several electricity plugs, 4 TVs, coat and luggage racks, overhead shelves for smaller bags, as well as 1 bathroom per car. The train is equipped for passengers with special needs as well as those who are traveling with pets. No meals are included in the ticket price, nevertheless, it is possible to buy snacks and beverages in the Restaurant Car or from food trolleys.
    The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
    Mask is required

Sapsan Train Customer Reviews