What It's Like Riding The Grand Express Train From St Petersburg To Moscow, Russia, In 2025
- Konrad Tillman
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Intro
Well, usually I do flight reviews, but this time we are shaking it up with a train review, as this was probably one of the coolest experiences I had in Russia.
After a tantalizing 3 days in St Peterburg, it was finally time to head back down to Moscow on board a train. Yes, a train. Why? Well, there are many ways to get from SPB to Moscow, and having flown Rossiya on the way out and Aeroflot coming the next day to Kazan, I figured a train review would be in order. I also figured it would be interesting to review the nicest train in Russia, having previously reviewed the Kyiv Express.
How was it? Remarkable. While pricey and a lot longer than needed, this was one of the most memorable experiences throughout my time in Russia. Let's dig in.
How I Booked
Booking a train through Russia on a US credit card can be slightly complicated. Why? There are a few different websites one can use, but not all take a US credit card. What I found was that Russiatrain.com did take US credit cards, which was a blessing in disguise.
Logging in, I could clearly see that there were more than 50 daily trains connecting SPB and Moscow. The Sapsan is the fastest (about 4 hours), coming out to about 70 USD per person. But where is the fun in that? So I scrolled down to the bottom, where I found the infamous Grand Express, as well as the Red Arrow departing 7 minutes later.
However, after careful deliberation, I decided on the Grand Express, as it seemed to be more luxurious at a better price. There are nicer compartments on the Red Arrow, but business class on the Grand Express offered a private cabin at under 400 USD (Red Arrow was 550 USD for the cabin).
All in all, I booked out the solo compartment in business, two days prior, for 380 USD all in. Had I added the second person, it would have come out to about 420 USD for both of us.
Getting To SPB Station
Most trains from SPB to Moscow depart from the Moskovsky station in central St Petersburg. While Yandex Go is always an option, I decided that walking would be better before being couped up for 8.5 hours 😅.
Well, on the way, I stopped by an underground bar with some time to kill and made friends with some very friendly Russians. As it would turn out, I would somehow down 8 free shots and be walking very tipsily over to the station...
Anyways, regardless to say, I eventually head out and made it to Moskovsky station, cleared a couple of security checks, and I was my on way to the lounge... Or so I thought...
Seeing signs to the lounge, I waltzed confidently in, thinking that my business class ticket would grant me access. As it would turn out, only those in Imperial class are granted access (ehh), so that was a no for me. I could have paid, but with only 30 minutes until boarding commenced, I didn't really see the point in it...
Boarding
Roughly 40 minutes prior to departure, the call was made for passengers to begin boarding the Grand Express. It's certainly one of the more beautiful trains I have been up and close with, and with the attire of the staff at the door, I knew the incredible Russian hospitality would be waiting for me on board.
Quickly pulling up to carriage number 5, it was time to hop on board.
The Seat/Cabin
Ugh, where to begin? Upon having my ticket (print it out) and ID verified, a staff member escorted me to the furthest suite down this beautiful-looking hallway. From what I could see, there was 1 business class carriage (and 1 first class carriage), featuring 8 suites, which are fully enclosed.
Getting to the end of the hallway, I came across my room for the evening. At first glance, it looked relatively basic, but extremely nice for a one-night stay. Each compartment came with a couch which later flipped over to a bed, a desk for working and eating, a small chair to dine if someone else is with you, a sink, and a closet for storage.
While First Class will see private bathrooms and sometimes a shower, this is not the case in business class, sadly.
Additionally, later on during the journey, I pulled down the couch to create a lovely bed. At 6 feet and 175lbs, this was perfect for my size, with a few inches to spare (that's what she said).
Amenities+ IFE/WIFI
Now for, wait for it, amenities. Yes, you heard this correctly, there were proper amenities onboard. Aside from the bedding, waiting at my seat were a pair of Grand Express slippers and a Grand Express customized amenity kit. Honestly, even certain airlines won't pull this off to the same degree as what the Grand Express has done, so props here. At the same time, imagine what Imperial Class is like...
Finally, not sure if this counts as an amenity, but we received a keycard to open and close our compartments.
Okay now for the cool part, located in the compartment was a television offering a variety of options. Unfortunately there was no Netflix (it does work in Russia by the way), but there were TV and film collections for those interested. Additionally, I noticed an HDMI port, so perhaps you could game yourself all the way to Moscow with a Playstation V 😅.
And online FIFA might just work with the free wifi onboard. Just be prepared for 300+ ping as it is relatively slow.
The Journey
After pacing up and down 72 times in my compartment, taking in the Russian beauty of this train, the attendant taking care of my cabin came around with a form. Why? Well, those ticketed in business class are given a free transfer in an Audi, and all you have to do is provide your hotel name. Not bad!
Additionally, the lovely woman working the carriage came around with the menu for the evening. While I did still have to pay for dinner, the prices seemed reasonable, and the breakfast was included in the cost of the ticket.
Right on the dot, at 11:48 pm local time, the whistle was blown, my beer was brought over, and we were off of the way to Mockba.
And for the next 6 hours ish, I completely zonked out. I mean when I say the bed was comfortable, it was truly extraordinary. Something about trains and sleeping, it's like I am 6 months old once again.
As soon as I had arisen from my coma, the lovely woman staff came over to inquire if I would like my pot of coffee? Do I want coffee? No. I NEED IT.
It was peaceful. It was eerily peaceful. I try to avoid politics but it's a different feeling riding the train into Kyiv versus Moscow. One is normal life, the other one is very different...
Just even gazing out of the windows, I didn't see this on the way into Kyiv. Kyiv felt more like a mission, Moscow felt like I am strolling into a 9 am business meeting downtown 😅.
Not a minute ahead, and not a minute behind, we had pulled into Moscow.
Arrival
Sure enough, exiting the compartment of my carriage and making my way to the exit, I came across...
A man waiting for me right outside with a sign saying "Mr Tillman." I'll tell you what, having someone right outside your car is pretty neat, and I was swiftly taken away to my Audi transfer service, off to Hotel Akvarel.
It was a 5-minute walk out to the private car park for drivers, and with the sun beaming down on Moscow, it wouldn't have mattered if it were 10-15 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Riding the Grand Express from St Petersburg to Moscow was a dream come true. Look, it's not the most efficient way between the cities, or the most cost-effective, but it's a damn cool experience. With a private compartment, complimentary breakfast, a comfortable bed, and exceptional service, I wouldn't hesitate to take this train again. Additionally, you save a night in a hotel, a Yandex Go to town from the station in Moscow, and whatever food you would have in the morning.
Russia Series
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