Train Travel in Russia:

Taking a train through Russia can be an amazing way to discover the country, meet some new people, and enjoy some tranquil time with your own thoughts. However, as Russia is a big country with slow trains, most train trips will take anywhere from 8 hours to several days, and it is best to come prepared. Here are my essential packing tips for train travel in Russia:

Do bring:

Passport: This should go without saying, but make sure your passport is easily accessible to you for passport checks.

And of course, make sure you have a valid visa!

Food and Drinks: You can buy food and drinks on the train and during stops, but the prices and quality leave something to be desired. Bring sandwiches, crackers, fruit, and water to eat and drink during your trip. You can also bring tea bags or instant coffee and your own cup (or ask the attendant for a rental cup, usually available for a small price). You will find a “samovar” with hot water beside the train attendant’s cabin at the front of the train compartment (next to the toilets).

Comfortable clothes: This will likely be a long journey, so dress for comfort. If you will be sleeping on the train, bring pajamas. Definitely wear layers and bring a cozy sweater because the temperatures may vary dramatically between freezing and sweltering during any one train trip.

Books and Notebooks: You will have a lot of time on your hands, so bring something to do. Bring books to read, notebooks to write in, crossword puzzles, knitting, or whatever else you enjoy.

Avoid flashing expensive electronic equipment (see below in “Do not bring”).

Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, hand towel: Russian train toilets may be the worst kind of toilets in Russia. They are often dirty, unkempt and missing essential things like toilet paper, soap and towels. I recommend bringing your own with you.

Disposable washcloths: Obviously there are no showers available on the train, so washcloths may help tide you over until your next destination.

Small bag to hold all of this stuff: On most Russian trains, there will be a space to store suitcases underneath the bottom-bunk seats. It’s a hassle to lift up these seats whenever you need something – and if you’re on the top bunk, don’t even think about it! Store whatever you need in a small day-bag as you will likely not have very much access to your full travel bag during your train journey.

Do not bring (or hide in your suitcase):

Expensive electronic equipment: Just like anywhere else in Russia, crime is possible on trains too. If you do decide to use expensive electronics (iPods, iPads, laptops, e-readers, et cetera), keep a very close watch on them – do not leave them unattended under any circumstances. Hide them well when you go to the toilet or go to sleep.

Oversized travel bags: As I mentioned above, you will likely have to store your bag underneath the lower bunk/seats. Bring a standard-sized suitcase because these lower bunks are not that big. It’s best if you have a large backpack instead of a suitcase, because the space available is quite long and reasonably wide but not very high.

More: See my list of general packing essentials for Russia travel.