How to Book Train Travel From Minsk to Moscow

Heading east to Moscow is a breeze when you begin in Minsk. This major Belorussian city is a primary crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe. You'll have to pay a transit fee for passing through Belarus; but the ride from Minsk to Moscow is fantastic. Follow these steps to start planning your trip and enjoy beautiful landscapes for a low price.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access to book train travel online
• A valid passport
• All appropriate visas

Book Your Ticket From Minsk to Moscow

1. Log on to the "Way to Russia" Web site (see Resources below) to book train travel to Moscow from Minsk. This Web site offers the best method for finding discount tickets on the rails. Use the "Russian Trains Timetable" link on the main page to look for available travel options.

2. Use the CIS Railway website (see Resources below) to look for additional tickets. You'll be able to find the same trains and timetables as you would using "Way to Russia."

3. Make sure you have $30 on hand when you travel. You'll be responsible for a transit fee when you enter and leave Belarus.

4. Buy tickets in advance. The trains can fill up quickly. Remember to never purchase tickets more than 45 days prior to whey you plan to use them. If you do, they'll expire.

Select Your Traveling Class

5. Travel first class (about $150) when heading to Russia. The ride is a long one. Sleeper cars provide comfort and privacy during the trip.

6. Brave coach class when you're trying to make every dollar count. Tickets on most eastbound trains are only about $50. It's easy to stretch your money even if there's more than one of you to buy tickets for.

7. Save money on second-class, four-berth compartments that several trains offer along the route. They're about $100 per person, and they offer some sleeping arrangements (though they're not as luxurious as those in first class).

Choose Your Route

8. Depart for Moscow from Minsk's "Passazhirskiy" Station in the heart of the city. Most of the east-west traffic converges at this station, including those heading on to Russia and points further east. Moscow averages about 11 1/2 hours by rail.

9. Take the "Lietuva" north through Vilnius in Lithuania before turning east to Moscow. This train offers the same amenities as others traveling to Russia, but takes a scenic route through Belarus' northern neighbor.

10. Take the "Yantar," which passes first into Kaliningrad. It makes a short stop here before continuing on. You're welcome to get out for a day and take a later train if you want to sightsee.

11. Ride on the famous "Vostok-Zapad" Express, one of the busiest railways heading east and west across Eastern Europe. The train operates as far west as Poznan.

12. Choose the 010 train that leaves Minsk just after midnight. It offers the fastest direct service to Russia from Belarus at just over 10 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• There is currently no phone service for booking available in English.