Traveling abroad by train. Rail Tours

2-seater- hotel accommodation in a double room, 1-seater- hotel accommodation in a single room.

Rail tours - what is it?

In tourism, it is customary to divide sightseeing tours into bus and rail. Rarely use the name "walking tours", usually they say "walking tours". "Air Tours" talks about tours abroad. Yes, even tours with such long journeys as to Baikal and Kamchatka, but in Russia, are usually called railway tours.

If you need to travel by train to participate in the tour, the tour will be by train. Even if you change to a bus after the train, the tour will still be a train tour. There are tours where one way you go by bus, and return back by train, the tour is also a railway one. In a word, if you buy at least one train ticket, the tour will be by train.

The advantage of rail tours

On train tours, we can go much longer than on a bus.
During the trip, you can get up, walk, stretch your legs. It is strictly forbidden to walk on the bus while driving.
There is more space in the carriage, whether it is seated or with sleeping places, you can lie down, drink tea, eat something on the way.
Traveling on a train with a night crossing is more comfortable than on a bus, if, of course, you take a ticket in a carriage with sleeping places.

And there are no traffic jams for the train!

When is the best time to buy train tours?

The earlier the better. There are 2 limiting factors: places on the tour and availability train tickets... Tickets start selling 60 days before the travel date. But by this time, the places on the tour may run out. Therefore, it is better to buy a tour first, and then wait until the ticket sale opens.

How do I buy a train ticket for a tour?

It is best to buy a train ticket on the official website of Russian Railways
www.rzd.ru

There are no extra charges here, and you can choose a seat in the carriage.

Or buy at railway station(it doesn't matter which one). Only at train stations will train tickets be available without extra charges. In all ticket offices of the city and companies, tickets will be already with a surcharge.

What if there are no train tickets?

This usually happens when you buy a tour for peak dates for little time before the tour starts.

There is an exit.

• If you have time, you can book an extra day before or after the tour. That is, tickets for the day after the holidays or the day before the start of the holidays are always easier to get.
• Many cities can be reached by regular buses.

Railway tours: from the past to the future

The modern world is so fast and noisy. We are forced to live, observing the conditions that he dictates to us. We are constantly in a hurry somewhere, all the time thinking about something that we cannot even afford to relax and breathe in the fresh air of absolute freedom during our rest.

Often, going on a trip, we rush to the airport to buy plane tickets, because this is the fastest way to get to our destination in order to quickly plunge into the warm sea or visit interesting places abroad. Thus, we simply fence ourselves off from the beauty of a huge space, rich in charming places and interesting things. We hide all this from ourselves under the thick clouds of the boundless sky, not trying to simply dissolve in time, forget about it and plunge into serenity.

Have you tried at least once just to forget about the rush, problems, vanity and go on a leisurely journey accompanied by the sound of the train wheels? Just imagine: you are lying on the top shelf reserved seat carriage, listen attentively to the world around you, look out the window, behind which the familiar and unfamiliar landscapes float. First, a picture of small villages and settlements opens before your eyes, followed by endless golden or snow-covered fields, then powerful cities flickering with bright lights, which are replaced by extraordinary colorful rural landscapes. All this unforgettable view from the window, picturesque landscapes, aromas of mown grass, lulling rocking of the car, favorite book, delicious hot tea and the rhythmic beat of the train wheels evoke romantic feelings, create some kind of extraordinary harmony of serenity and an amazing feeling that an incredible contemplative journey awaits us ahead, which will give a lot of positive emotions and precious memories.

Going on a sightseeing tour by train, we have time to reflect on our life, soul and emotions. The hope is reborn that we are about to enjoy a pleasant and exciting journey that will turn into a real unforgettable fairy tale. It is difficult to disagree that all this cannot be felt while sitting in an airplane seat, looking out the small window of the porthole.

High-flown words, of course, are designed for incorrigible romantics who like to relax not only with their bodies, but also with their souls. But those who are pragmatic by nature can also easily identify for themselves all positive sides railway sightseeing tours:

• This is an opportunity to significantly save money, because train tickets are several times cheaper than plane tickets. And if you plan a trip in advance, then its cost will be reduced by half - you will have a benefit equal to almost 50% - the rate of early sales of train tickets.
• Railway sightseeing tours are comfortable and very convenient. Modern trains are equipped with everything necessary for a person to feel good and comfortable. They provide not only various amenities and courteous service for the conductors, they even have the Internet and television, there are air conditioners, heaters - you can go on a trip in any weather and at any time of the year.

It should be noted that train sightseeing tours are fashionable and modern. Already in many advanced European countries, people have long preferred rail travel instead of water or air travel. After all, resting in a compartment of a modern carriage is no less comfortable than in the cabin of a liner.

7 days unforgettable vacation"ALL INCLUSIVE" in Yalta, full of many events

Weekly rest "CRIMEA - YALTA ALL YEAR ROUND"

At your choice, excursions, hiking in parks and reserves, climbing mountains, swimming pool with warm water, in the summer every 10 minutes delivery to the YALTA 365 beach and travel for 5 best beaches Crimea, from December to March - skiing and training on ski slopes"AI-PETRI"

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights

Dates of arrival: weekly from Sunday to Saturday 2019.

Tour cost per person from 17.200 rubles.

In addition to air travel to the Crimea, it is comfortable and economical to use the "SINGLE TICKET" !!! By train from any station you follow to Anapa, Krasnodar or Rostov, from where buses run WITHOUT LINE BY FERRY DIRECTLY TO YALTA. Ferries carrying buses operate all year round and in any weather!

The climate of Yalta is unique - subtropical Mediterranean, characterized by early spring, hot, long summers and long, warm autumn. The sun shines here on average 2,250 hours a year - about the same as in Nice, Cannes and San Remo. Breezes blow from the sea during the day, and in the evening they often bring the smell of pine needles from the mountains. Thanks to this, in the stone bowl where Yalta is located, the air is always clean, saturated with sea salts and forest aroma. The air humidity in Yalta is low, which determines the nature of the vegetation and is reflected in the therapeutic profile of the resort. All these unique natural factors give health and energy to people all year round!
At your service cozy hotel in a quiet park area in the center of Yalta, 1.5 km from the embankment. New modern comfortable rooms, friendly, professional staff, worthy of the assortment "buffet". Thought out to the smallest detail and successfully combined excursion, active, wellness and relaxation rest - daily a choice of 7 (SEVEN!) Events. Prompt service by buses and minibuses in all directions. Fun and romantic evening programs with dinner, versatile sports ground. New open pool- year-round water temperature 27 * C, water aerobics, water polo, diving introductory course and other water games. Daily sports tournaments in football, volleyball, basketball, pioneerball, table tennis, chess and checkers. For our little guests - the best animation program: mobile and logic games, acting skills, master classes! Cozy cafe with Italian pizza and a bar with a chic selection of real Crimean wines and lemonades, with a large assortment of cocktails and fresh juices.
Starting from the station, we will take you "by the hand" through all the sights of the Crimea, we will protect you from any troubles, we guarantee the best year-round vacation "ALL INCLUSIVE"
The tour starts every Sunday. You will be met by hotel representatives with a sign "YALTA - YEAR ROUND" tourist complex at the Simferopol railway station - under the arch of the main exit; at the airport - at the arrival terminal; in Yalta - at the bus station at platform number 11. You can also come to our tour on any day of the week, an individual transfer from / to the train stations of Simferopol 1,500 rubles, Yalta 200 rubles, at night from 23:00 to 6:00 a transfer is more expensive 25%.

As popular as air travel is, getting around Europe by train has a number of undeniable advantages:

• cheaper;
• the weather, even the most terrible, can in no way affect your plans;
• you can get to a hundred settlements to which no transport goes anymore;
• the opportunity to see not only the beauty of the capital, but also a truly interesting province;
• movement is strictly on schedule, late arrivals are rare;
• comfort and speed;
• the ability to buy a ticket not for a specific train, but valid 24 hours;
• unlike flights, traveling by train does not in any way affect your health and has no contraindications;
• conductors on trains - inquiry Office, sightseeing connoisseurs, economy experts. It is not joke. Working with tourists is one of the duties of European conductors at railroad.

Train travel is especially suitable for those who want to see the country, are interested in its culture and history. In addition, if you stay some distance from big city or the capital, accommodation will be cheaper, as will food. There are many advantages, it remains only to take into account some of the rules and features of the Old World railway communication.

We buy tickets

Option A (conservative)

You can buy train tickets in Europe in different ways:

• Internet is convenient and cheapest;
• At the ticket office of any station in the country where you are traveling (it is important to pay in cash, it is cheaper than with a bank card);
• At a ticket vending machine (cash is more profitable);
• At the conductors (the most expensive option).

Tickets are sold in several types:

• single (from point A to point B);
• return ticket (round trip, allows you to save up to 30% of the cost);
• temporary ticket (paid for travel time, not distance).

When you have decided on your route, acquired a Schengen visa, insurance and calculated your budget, you can start buying train tickets. Most companies sell tickets online, but not earlier than a month before the trip. In this case, the usual rules apply - the earlier you bought, the less you paid. Moreover, if you buy tickets in advance, then you have a great opportunity to choose the cheapest ones. The difference in price depends on how fast the train travels, how many stops it makes, and how comfortable it is. The most common local train(local) will ensure your movement to the desired point is not too fast, but quite comfortable and for little money.

Example: two trains Warsaw-Krakow, depart with a difference of 25 minutes, the first on the road 2 hours and 20 minutes, the second - 2 hours and 35 minutes, the ticket for the first - 27 euros, for the second - 11 euros.

The cheapest tickets are for those trains that go outside rush hours. These trains are mainly used by tourists, they are not overloaded. By time it is after 10 am to 4 pm, after 8 pm to midnight.

One difficulty may arise with the purchase of tickets, if you have not stocked up tickets in advance and will buy them from vending machines. Most often, outside the capital, electronic devices give all instructions and explanations exclusively on national languages that the task does not simplify. In this case, it is best to seek help from the local population or train station attendants. They will definitely help!

Option B (advanced)

You can almost completely avoid the hassle of purchasing multiple train tickets and buy a pass for all trains within the borders of one country (Interrail One Country Pass) or within the borders of the whole of Europe (Interrail Global Pass). Such tickets are sold for a certain number of travel days (5 travel days in 15 days, 10 travel days per month, 1 month of travel without restrictions, etc.). With such a ticket, you have the right to take almost any train (with the exception of high-speed super-modern express trains, night trains - you will need to pay extra for them) and get to the point you need without buying an additional ticket.

Such a ticket is not cheap, but as a result, you can save a lot, see several countries, and get real pleasure from traveling. Such a ticket is especially beneficial for young people (up to 26 years old), as well as pensioners (over 60 years old). It is better for travelers of other categories to calculate, it is quite possible that the conservative option will still be more profitable.

The price of a "common European" travel pass (5 trips in 15 days) is 170 euros (young people), 202 euros (pensioners), 224 euros (the rest).

But the price of the “one country” pass fluctuates depending on the income level of the inhabitants of this country (the cheapest ticket is 3 days on the train per month):

• Germany, Norway, France, Great Britain - from 131 euros;
• Spain - from 111 euros;
• Italy, Switzerland - from 87 euros;
• Belgium + Netherlands + Luxembourg - from 74 euros;
• Poland - from 57 euros;
• - from 48 euros;
• Serbia - from 36 euros.

Together with the ticket, the passenger receives a "waybill" in which it is necessary to enter all trips, train numbers and destinations (for controllers), as well as detailed instructions on the English language... Usually, along with the first "pass", the passenger receives a 15% discount coupon on the next ticket.

Such a ticket will be beneficial to those who decide to visit at least 5 cities (or 3-4 countries) and do not plan to stay in one place for more than 2-3 days. For those who are less mobile and want to spend their vacation in one place, such a ticket is not needed, it will cost much more than ordinary travel documents.

The Inerrail system includes 29 European countries and Turkey. You cannot buy a travel card for Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Moldova.

Approximate routes and prices

Option "Capital of Europe"

Countries: Germany, France, Austria, Czech Republic.

The route looks like this:

• We arrive in Warsaw, spend 2 days here;
• From Warsaw we leave for Berlin (5 hours on the way, ticket - 39 euros), spend 3 days in the capital of Germany;
• We are going from Berlin to Paris (on the way 8.5 hours, ticket - from 79 euros), in the capital of fashion and love we spend two days;
• From Paris we go to Munich (6 hours on the way, ticket - from 39 euros), we set aside one full day to see the main beauties of the capital of Bavaria;
• From Munich we go to Vienna (6 hours, ticket - 34 euros), the city classical music and for the most magnificent baroque we devote two full days;
• From the capital of Austria we leave for Prague (4 hours on the road, ticket from 35 euros), in Prague we spend two days;
• From the Czech capital we leave for Krakow (8 hours on the way, ticket from 38 euros), we set aside a full day for the royal capital;
• We return to Warsaw from Krakow (less than three hours on the way, ticket - from 9 euros).

The two-week voyage is over. Transportation costs can be calculated. As a result, we supposedly spent 273 euros on trains. Under the terms of Interrail passes, we traveled 5 days out of 14 (Warsaw-Berlin, Berlin-Paris, Paris-Munich and Munich-Vienna (within a day), Vienna-Prague, Prague-Krakow and Krakow-Warsaw (one day)) ... The Global Pass under such conditions will cost an adult 224 euros. We get savings - 49 euros (a young traveler will save more than a hundred euros!).

Holidays in Poland

Option "Britain"

Country: UK (England, Wales, Scotland)

Approximate route:

• We start from London, where we spent at least three days;
• We leave the capital for Cardiff, watch the castles, walk along the bay embankment and eat cheese croutons (three hours on the way, ticket - from 47 euros), spend a full day in the Welsh capital;
• From Cardiff we go to Liverpool, the homeland of the Beatles (4 hours on the way, ticket - from 36 euros), spend half a day in the city;
• From Liverpool - to Manchester (less than an hour on the way, ticket - from 3 euros), we will stay in the city for two days;
• From Manchester we go to Glasgow (3.5 hours on the road, ticket - from 15 euros), spend a full day in the city;
• From Glasgow - to Edinburgh (the journey takes one hour, the ticket - from 16 euros), we will stay in the capital of Scotland for two days;
• From Edinburgh we go back to London (4.5 hours, ticket - from 68 euros).

The trip takes 10-11 days. The total cost of transportation is 185 euros. Interrail One Country Pass - 190 euros. Youth ticket - 139 euros.

Only young travelers can save money. Adult tourists will benefit if they purchase tickets in a conservative manner.

Option "Cote d'Azur of warm seas"

Countries: Italy, France, Spain, Portugal.

The path could be like this:

• Start in Milan, which should be given two days;
• From Milan we go to Genoa (three hours journey, ticket - from 28 euros), here we spend a full day;
• From Genoa we go to Nice (3.5 hours on the way, ticket - from 30 euros), swim all day, you can call in Monte Carlo;
• From Nice - to Marseille (2.5 hours on the way, ticket - from 27 euros), we stay here for two days;
• From Marseille - to Barcelona (the road is 4.5 hours, the ticket is from 76 euros), we will safely stay for three days;
• After Barcelona - to Madrid (9 hours of travel, ticket - from 42 euros), we spend 2 days in the capital;
• From Madrid we leave for Lisbon (10 hours on the road, ticket - from 60 euros), we devote two days to the city;
• We fly home from Lisbon.

The trip takes two weeks. Transport costs - 263 euros. Travel ticket (15 days 5 days on the road) - 224 euros. Youth ticket - 170 euros. The savings are obvious.

You can develop many routes, study the map of European railways carefully enough and develop the path that you have long wanted to take. We'll have to work hard to study all the offers from carriers. If within one country the best prices are offered by national companies, then for international transportation prices from different corporations may differ significantly. But all the preliminary efforts will certainly pay off, the trip will be truly exciting and full of the most incredible impressions.

Outcomes

Traveling around Europe by train is not the cheapest type of tour. Buses are much cheaper. But the train enables a person to travel long distances normally and comfortably. But the bus is exhausting, has a bad effect on the vessels in the legs and makes you feel sick.

The route descriptions do not indicate the costs of commuter trains, but all these costs are fully covered with an Interrail ticket. These trains are necessary to get to cheap hotels, where accommodation will help to save money.

Travelers who choose trains need to remember a few simple rules:

• never eat at railway stations (expensive and tasteless);
• make yourself a cheat sheet with a time difference in European countries (to avoid being late for the train);
• clarify the route and ask for advice from the conductors who will always be there during the trip.

Europe is waiting for its new "conquerors", the train is ready. Have a nice trip!

If you look at railway voyages through the eyes of an inveterate pragmatist who appreciates every minute of his time, then the train will lose to the plane in all respects. Traveling by train will not save you time, and besides most the trip will have to be devoted to passive observation through the window and reading. But there are, of course, pleasant moments: thanks to railway tours, horizons will expand for you and unprecedented secrets of nature will open for you, you will experience the most beautiful corners of the planet and get acquainted with life in large cities and tiny villages.

In recent years, sightseeing tours by train have become incredibly popular, and there are more and more people who want to master the geographic space of our planet using railways. This is partly due to the variety of proposals. Rail tours cover the most different directions: these are travels in Russia and the CIS countries, European voyages and the Baltic programs, and even exotic routes - China and Mongolia.

Railway tours in Russia

Depending on the time at your disposal, you can go on short two-three-day train tours or choose a program designed for 10-14 days. Tours around the cities of the Golden Ring on a retro train are very popular, in which in 2 days you will visit Vladimir and Suzdal, and then have time to walk around Kostroma and Yaroslavl.

An excellent opportunity to get to know our vast country is given to tourists by a cruise on the Golden Eagle train: in two weeks on the way, you will change 10 time zones and travel more than 9 thousand km! The train departs from Moscow, passes through Murom, Arzamas, Ufa, Chelyabinsk, Omsk and ends its "marathon" in Vladivostok.

Traveling by train, you can enjoy the beauty of the cities of the Volga region, Kazan, Pskov, Veliky Novgorod, St. Petersburg and many other Russian cities.

Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo

European routes

The main feature of European railway tours is the ability to visit several countries at once in one trip: trains traveling from Russia to Europe usually pass through the territory of transit countries. Some programs involve stopping in these countries for one or two days (you will be offered sightseeing tours or free time), in others you can only see unfamiliar cities from the train window.

The Old World has a well-developed railway connection, thanks to which almost all European countries are open to you. Several direct trains run from Russia to Europe, for example, train number 23 "Moscow - Berlin", train number 21 "Moscow - Prague", train number 17/18 "Moscow - Nice". In addition, there are many combined sightseeing tours with a transfer in Brest by bus (tourists get to Brest by train).

Going on a train tour of European countries, prepare for the fact that there will be no time to get bored: usually such programs are very rich and include sightseeing walking and bus excursions, visits to museums and art galleries, trips to famous castles and walks in exquisite parks.

Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo

By train to exotic countries

Railway tours to the East are a real boon for sophisticated travelers. You can try to comprehend the soul of Asia by going by rail to China. There are as many as three direct trains from Russia to the Celestial Empire, which reach the terminal station in 130-145 hours. Tour operators offer several excursion routes, which include the sights of Beijing, Harbin, Udalyanchi and other cities.

In addition, such tours have been developed, during which you also travel around China by train.

Top destinations for train travel

All articles about railroad tours on "Subtleties"

• In Russia: from Moscow and from St. Petersburg, to the Northern capital, to Anapa, to Kazan, to the Black Sea
• Austria Vienna