What are the most comfortable seats on the train? Travel tips: what are the best seats on the train? How many days before the train departure is it better to buy a ticket?

Are you planning to go on a trip and don’t know which seat or carriage is best to travel in? Before going to the box office to buy tickets, you need to decide on your seats. If you think about buying a ticket in advance, then there should be no problems with the number of available seats. This means that you can tell the cashier about your preferences, and he will try to take them into account.

First, decide on the type of carriage. Coupe, reserved seat, SV or seated carriage. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Passengers usually choose the appropriate option depending on their financial situation, physical condition and the presence of children traveling with them. Let's consider each of types of cars.

In a compartment carriage the contingent is usually calmer and more polite. And there are often fewer passengers there. Which significantly reduces queues to the toilet and for water. There is always a mirror hanging on the door, which is very convenient for putting yourself in order. Probably the only disadvantage of a compartment carriage is the ticket price. It is almost twice the price for a seat in a reserved seat. If finances allow, it is better, of course, to travel in greater comfort.
Econom-class train has enough both minuses and pluses. Minuses: a large number of people are looking at you, it’s uncomfortable to sleep because you have to think about keeping your feet from sticking out of the shelf, the condition of such cars is often poor, the toilets are closed at the stations, there are queues in the morning. Of the advantages, I would like to note, of course, the reasonable cost of the ticket. There are also folding tables on the side seats, which is very convenient. There are no walls like in a coupe, which opens up more space, etc.
It is very comfortable and pleasant SV carriage or sleeper. There are only 2 shelves, which is very convenient when you are traveling together. Sometimes there is a TV inside the compartment for watching movies. For long trips, a sleeping car - the best choice, if of course it suits your financial situation.
And finally , seated car, which is usually interregional, that is, such trains depart over short distances. This car does not differ in any amenities; it looks like an ordinary minibus or bus. An acceptable option if you have a short distance to travel and want to spend the least amount of money.

Having decided on the car, you need to find out how the seat numbers in the carriage you have chosen, and what advantages and disadvantages are associated with it.

In reserved seats and compartments, as many people probably already know, odd numbers are lower places, and even ones are top.
The windows in the emergency compartments (3 and 6, both in the compartment car and in the reserved seat car) do not open.
The unpleasant side upper place near the toilet is at number 38.
In the reserved seat, the upper 36th place is the place where there is a partition, which shortens the shelf, and there is also no handrail for climbing up.
Also in the reserved seat seats 1,2,35,36 are 15 cm shorter than all the others.
Seats numbered 29-31 are the most comfortable, as they are close to the toilet, but there is no unpleasant smell, and much fewer people pass by there.

Here are some instructions by choosing the best seat for you on the train. Read

A reserved seat car is the optimal solution for those who are planning to travel by train and want to save money. However, often when buying tickets we are faced with the question: which seat is better to choose?

There are 54 seats available for passengers on the upper and lower bunks. The top places are numbered with even numbers, the bottom ones with odd numbers. Seats 1 to 36 are located on one side of the car and form four-seater compartments without doors (there are 9 of them). Opposite each such compartment there are side seats - from 37 to 54. There is a separate compartment at the beginning of the car for conductors. There is also a toilet at the beginning and end of each carriage. Remember that this type of carriage is inferior in convenience to compartments and SVs, which explains the lower cost of tickets.

Which seats in a reserved seat carriage are considered the most comfortable?

If we conditionally highlight the beginning, middle and end on the car diagram, then the most comfortable seats will be closer to the middle:

They are located far from the toilets - possible unpleasant odors will not be felt.
They are located far from the vestibules - the noise from passengers and train employees walking around the train will not disturb.

But the places at the beginning and end of the car have their advantages:

Being closer to the conductors' compartment will give you quick access to hot water, so you won't have to carefully carry boiling water across the carriage.
These places are equipped with sockets so you can charge your phone or tablet.

If we highlight the advantages between the lower and upper places, then the lower places will be convenient for:

old people;
passengers with a large build;
mothers with young children;
those who need to fit large luggage, as there is free space under all the lower shelves.

Upper seats are considered less comfortable, but they will be comfortable if you:

traveling alone;
want to lie down quietly, turn to the wall, read or take a nap;
traveling by night train or short distances;
If you want to save money, the top places are always cheaper than the bottom ones.

Uncomfortable places: what you need to know

Choosing comfortable seats is easy if you buy tickets in advance. But in practice this rarely happens. Therefore, pay attention to the following nuances:

There are places in every carriage where the windows cannot be opened. These are emergency sections 3 and 6 (seats No. 9-12, No. 21-24). In hot weather, it will be stuffy to travel in a carriage without air conditioning, but for winter trips this will even be a plus.
Not all shelves are the same length. Shelves No. 1-2 and No. 3 5-36 are shortened by about 15 cm, which can cause discomfort for tall passengers.
Seat No. 36 is considered not the most comfortable for two reasons: there is no way to stretch your legs forward due to the partition, and there is also no special support to help you climb to the top place.

The side seats in a reserved seat are considered the most inconvenient for several reasons:

You will not be able to stretch your legs as comfortably as your neighbors in the compartment can. This is a note for tall people.
Unlike compartment seats, side seats are not provided with a separate table. There, this function is performed by the lower shelf, which transforms into a table. And it will have to be somehow shared with neighbors on the top shelf, which can cause conflicts.
Obviously, those who ride on the side seats will most often be hit by neighbors passing by. This is not very pleasant, especially if sleep is important to you.
The upper side seats are close to the upper compartments. To be more precise, the head of one will be close to the feet of the other, which can also cause inconvenience.

Which places are the safest?

Among the seats in a reserved seat car, we can distinguish not only the most comfortable/inconvenient, but also the safest. For example, seats on the lower shelves and closer to the head car. These places are considered safer if you are afraid of falling while the train is braking. From point of view emergency situations(for example, when a train derails), the safest places are closer to the middle of the car. Places with non-opening windows (No. 9–12, No. 21–24) serve as an emergency exit.

Which places should you choose?

So, when buying tickets, choose seats in compartment No. 2 (seats No. 5–8), No. 4 and No. 5 (seats No. 13–20), No. 7 (seats No. 25–28). You can be sure of their convenience.

Remember that purchasing tickets in advance is perhaps the most important factor, influencing the choice of comfortable seats. Otherwise you will have to be content with what you got. And if something goes wrong, don’t be upset and treat everything with humor. In any case, it’s not worth ruining your mood and the trip for yourself and those around you!

Despite the decline in airfare prices, train travel is still very popular among Russians. Service "specially for Lenta.ru, for lovers of the romance of a reserved seat or the comfort of SV carriages, we have collected life hacks, tricks and tricks that will help you save money and make traveling on trains more enjoyable.

Choosing the best seats in the carriage

On all trains, the lower bunks are odd-numbered seats, and the upper ones are even-numbered. On older trains without air conditioning, do not take the 3rd and 6th compartments, as you will not be able to open the window there. In a reserved seat it is better not to take seats from 37 to 54 - these are the side seats, and the 37th and 38th are the side seats near the toilet. Best places- near the conductor’s compartment, there’s an outlet nearby.

Save on purchasing train tickets

The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper it will cost. For domestic trains, tickets are sold 45 days before departure, and for international (and some Russian) trains - 60 days. The discount can reach up to 50 percent - for example, you can buy a ticket in a compartment at the price of a reserved seat. Seasonal coefficients apply - on holidays and in summer, tickets are approximately 10-20 percent more expensive.

Discounts on upper bunks in compartments

If usually the discount on the upper bunks in a compartment is 10-20 percent, then with the promotion it can reach up to 40 percent, approaching the cost of a reserved seat. As a rule, the discount applies to interregional trains, St. Petersburg and Moscow direction There are separate floating tariffs.

Photo: Vitaly Belousov / RIA Novosti

How to properly charge your phone on a train

It seems that in the reserved seat there is only one socket near the toilet and it is always occupied, but this is not so. Additional sockets are located near the boiler, in the 2nd and 8th compartments (seats 39-40 and 51-52). In the compartment carriage, the sockets are located between the 3rd and 4th compartments, as well as between the 7th and 8th compartments in the corridor. Modern trains have sockets in every compartment.

Take a tee with you, then you can plug your gadget into the outlet, avoiding disputes with your neighbors. The voltage in the car can be unstable, and there is a risk of burning the charger or even the phone itself. To avoid this, you should purchase a surge protector with an extension cord (also called a “pilot”). It has a fuse that will protect the phone from overload.

The conductor must cover the bed linen

In the reserved seat, the conductor is required to make bed linen for the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women and passengers with children. The bed in the compartment is already made. A blanket can be requested at any time of the year - it is included in the bedding set. The conductor can also replace old linen with a new set for a fee.

No need to hand in laundry

Yes, many conductors half an hour before the train arrives at the final station require that all passengers hand over their underwear. However, passengers should not do this. It is the responsibility of the guide to monitor the safety of the kits, as well as collect them and hand them over to the laundry.

How to transport a bicycle on a train

On the train long distance a bicycle can be carried as luggage - only in disassembled form, and its size in the sum of three dimensions should not exceed 180 centimeters. In a reserved seat it is more convenient to use the third shelf; four bicycles can be placed there at once. You can also transport the iron horse in a baggage car, but then you will have to arrive in advance and check it in as luggage.

Free on the train

In the compartment and reserved seat carriage at the request of the passenger, the conductor must provide free of charge: a glass in a cup holder and a spoon, a sewing kit (needles and threads and scissors), a first aid kit and board games (chess, checkers, dominoes). Although a particular carriage may lack some items from this set. In addition, a traveler's kit (toothbrush and paste, soap, wet wipes), newspapers and magazines are free on the branded train.

Photo: Oksana Aleshina / Photobank Lori

Take a break from your trip

The passenger has the right to make a stopover for a period of no more than 10 days and extend the validity of the ticket. To do this, you need to present your ticket to the station administration no later than 4 hours from the moment of arrival. But when you resume travel on another train, you will have to pay again for a reserved seat (the cost of a seat in the carriage). This is approximately half the price of the entire ticket.

What to do if you are behind the train

If it suddenly happened that you got off at the station and missed your train, but your things were left in the carriage, there is no need to panic. You need to contact the station manager, he will notify colleagues at the nearest stop along the train's route. There your things will be removed from the train. You must be transported to this station by the next train free of charge and the validity of your ticket extended free of charge.

Don't break the stop valve

Disconnecting the stop valve is permitted only in exceptional cases: to prevent a crash, accident, rolling stock derailment, or loss of life. According to the current rules, a passenger falling behind the train is not a valid reason for breaking the stop valve. Now this is punishable by a fine of three to five thousand rubles.

Prohibition on the train

Use alcoholic drinks prohibited on trains. Previously, the consumption of beer was allowed on trains, and strong alcoholic drinks in restaurant cars. However, now the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) completely prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Passengers caught drinking are fined: beer lovers will pay from 100 to 300 rubles, and connoisseurs of stronger drinks - from 500 to 700 rubles.

The sale of strong alcohol in train carriages is prohibited. In the dining car, according to current legislation, you can buy “alcoholic products with an ethyl alcohol content of no more than 16.5 percent,” that is, beer and wine.

Are you going on a trip or business trip by train? In this case, you need to worry about tickets in advance, having previously decided which carriage is best to choose on the train. When purchasing a train ticket, you should pay attention to the fact that each carriage corresponds to a specific class. Among them there are seated and reserved seat carriages, general, compartment, luxury or SV carriages, as well as soft carriages.

Car types

How to choose a carriage on a train so that the journey is comfortable? Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

A seated carriage is the cheapest option

This type is suitable if the trip is short, no more than a few hours. There is quite a large space inside the carriage. There are separate soft chairs with headrests and armrests.

Railway station

By the seat number you can understand where it is located. The odd ones are at the window, and the even ones are at the aisle. Often, each seated carriage is equipped with a toilet and wardrobe.

This type of carriage comes in 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes. They are designated by the symbols (1C), (2C) and (3C), respectively. The advantages of the first include the presence of a folding table and much more space between the chairs. The seats themselves are more comfortable.

In second class, the number of seats in the carriage may be greater; they are located in 3 rows on each side of the window.

Less commonly found are third class (3C) seated carriages. They differ in that soft benches are used as seating. This is less comfortable than individual chairs.

Seat numbering starts at the back. The two rightmost chairs are designated by the numbers 1 and 2. The leftmost ones, respectively, are 3 and 4. And so on.

On a note: Prices for such cars start from 990 rubles. and higher. During the season they can reach up to 5500 rubles. per person per branded trains.

With such an insignificant difference in cost between seated carriage and reserved seat, preference should be given to the second option. Especially if the trip is long. It is not recommended to choose this class of carriage if you are traveling with small children.

Seat carriage

Econom-class train

Prices for this class differ slightly from those for a seated class. For a relatively small surcharge, we get a much more comfortable lying position, which is necessary for long journeys. The numbering principle here is as follows: the bottom shelf always has an odd number, and the top shelf an even number. It is important to know that the first 36 places are numbered from left to right. And the subsequent ones - in the opposite direction. The first seats, located next to the conductors' compartment, will have numbers 1–4, 53–54.

Note! Cars of this type are always equipped with a dry closet and a sink. Each of the 9 sections of the reserved seat car is equipped with upper and lower shelves (can be transformed into a seat), a shelf for things and towels, and a table. Also, these cars may have air conditioning and a radio. There is an outlet in the vestibule for charging phones.

Some features of reserved seat carriages:

There are “emergency compartments” in which it is not possible to open the window. These are places 9–12, 21–24, 43–44, 49–50;
shelves numbered 1, 2, 35, 36 are 15 cm shorter than others;
in the second and penultimate compartment it is possible to constantly use a power outlet;
You should not choose places close to the toilet. These are numbers 35–38;
The most convenient compartments are near the conductor's compartment or in the center of the car (in this case, passengers will practically not walk past you).

Econom-class train

For older people and mothers with children, it is recommended to choose a place on the bottom shelf. The second advantage of these places is access to the table. The least popular are the side shelves. And this is quite justified - these places are located on the aisle and for this reason personal space is significantly reduced.

The cost of tickets in a reserved seat carriage varies from approximately 1000 rubles and more depending on the season, discounts and train direction.

Additional Information! In the future, Russian Railways plans to abandon the purchase of reserved seats, replacing them with “new type” cars that will have showers and USB sockets.

Compartment carriage

It differs from a reserved seat in the absence of side seats and the presence of a partition that blocks the berths from the aisle. In total, it has 9 compartments that can accommodate 36 passengers. Each compartment is equipped with sleeping shelves, a folding table, a communal lamp and individual reading lights.

The numbering of seats is carried out according to the same principle as in a reserved seat - even numbers are assigned to the upper shelves, and odd numbers to the lower ones. For luggage storage there are niches under the lower bunks and special lockers above the door. To prevent falls, the upper shelves are equipped with railings. Near the door there are buttons for calling the conductor and keys for turning on the lighting. The window is protected by a curtain to regulate the amount of light entering. Often, compartment cars have sockets and televisions. Less often - air conditioners.

Coupe car

At the end of the large corridor there are dry toilets, which are equipped with a bathroom, a washbasin with a mixer and a soap dispenser, and a mirror. There is a boiler near the service area where you can get hot water.

On a note: Compartment carriage is much more comfortable in relation to the previous ones. Especially due to the presence of a locking partition, which will help you be safer and close off from strangers, which is important if you have an infant with you.

Train tickets can be purchased both through the website and through the ticket office railway station. The cost of travel in a compartment class carriage is higher than in a reserved seat class. It starts from approximately one and a half thousand. You can often find various holiday promotions and discounts.

Sleeping car (abbreviated as SV)

A carriage with an increased level of comfort. The main difference is the number of beds. In NE there are only 2 of them (less often 3).

There are several classes of SVs:

1 E (lux). Involves buying out the entire coupe. Food and drinks, air conditioning, and personal hygiene items are provided. TV, sockets, wi-fi and personal safe, dressing room - all this is available in a compartment of this class. Another advantage is having your own shower and toilet.
1 E (cost slightly lower than 1 E). No difference from luxury. But it does not oblige you to completely buy the coupe. You can purchase 1 ticket.
1 U – first class. The difference is that the entire range of services is provided to the passenger for an additional fee.
1 L – last, without additional services and a bathroom.

Pets are allowed to be transported in SV carriages.

Taking into account all the advantages of a carriage of this class, the price of seats in it is significantly higher than in a simple compartment. If the trip is long enough and comfort is important, it is better to choose this class.

Note! Which carriage number is better to choose on the train so that the trip does not cause discomfort? The most successful numbers will be 3, 4, 5. Since the cars at the very beginning and tail of the train often shake more strongly.

Special mention should be made of the high-speed branded trains “Allegro”, “Sapsan”, “Lastochka” and “Palmira”.

The Allegro train includes 7 cars, they are divided into 2 classes and a restaurant car. All places are seated.

1st class has 48 seats, a salon with a meeting room and a toilet. Seats are arranged according to a 2+1 scheme. Headphones, daily newspapers and a self-service area with coffee and tea are included. 2nd class accommodates 289 passengers. The seating arrangement is 2+2. In the 7th car there is game room for children. In the 2nd carriage there are two seats for disabled people.

Lux class SV car

It is equipped with a lift and a special toilet complex. The train reaches speeds of up to 220 km/h and has an air conditioning system. Runs between Russia and Finland (St. Petersburg - Helsinki). Allegro fares range from 20 to 40 euros for second class. For first class, prices are higher - from 59 to 75 euros, depending on the date.

The Sapsan train can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h. It consists of economy and economy+ class carriages, a business and first class carriage, as well as a bistro carriage. Accommodates 528 passengers.
The branded high-speed electric train “Lastochka” has 5 cars, the maximum speed is up to 160 km/h. Has 443 places, 4 of them are intended for people with disabilities disabilities and 30 seats with seats that recline. Depending on the direction of movement, it is divided into “Standard” and “Premium”.

Train " Northern Palmyra» consists of double-decker cars that are capable of transporting large quantity passengers for a lower fee. There are compartment, SV and headquarters compartment types.

When planning your trip in advance, you can purchase profitable ticket at a lower price. A variety of options are offered - from seating, as in trains, to high speed trains with luxury seats. Which car is better to take on a train to go on vacation or on a business trip? You should focus on your preferences and circumstances. If the trip is short, it will not be difficult to spend this time sitting. And if you have to spend more than one day on the road, you should think about more comfortable conditions.

*Prices are current as of June 2018.

Having bought a train ticket, you always wonder what place you got?

Top and bottom shelves, side and non-side... Everyone has different preferences, in general, you can select better and worse places in the reserved seat.

There are only 54 seats in a reserved seat carriage. Unpaired numbers are the bottom shelves. Paired - upper. Seats 1-36 are regular. 37-54 - side.

In my opinion, it’s more pleasant to ride in places that are not on the side than on the side ones. No one walks back and forth next to you. However, if you are traveling close, I still prefer a side seat - you can sit at a table, looking out the window or reading a book, or fold up the table and lie down for a nap. The same cannot be said about the upper side - it is perhaps the most inconvenient. It will be difficult for tall people on the side - the “height” of the shelf is about 1.80 m. If on the non-side you can be bold and put your feet into the aisle, then on the side it is unlikely to work.

The good thing about the top places is that no one bothers you - no one wanders up and down, sits on your shelf, etc. and so on. You can hide in a corner and sleep until your stop. Personally, I prefer this option. However, the top shelf is definitely not suitable for older people. It’s also inconvenient if you don’t want to lie down, but sit - then you’ll have to “strain” the neighbors below.

The lower seats are convenient because you don’t need to climb up, there is a table, and the entire “trunk” under the shelf is at your disposal. (Of course, you can put your bags there, even if you have a top seat, but I don’t think your fellow traveler will like it if you wake him up to pick up your luggage.) On the bottom bunk, you will be annoyed by neighbors climbing on top, and perhaps perched for a drink a seagull on your shelf.

I would classify as “bad” places the places near the toilet (seats 33-38). Place 36 has an additional wall (so that your feet do not interfere with opening the door :)). There may be unpleasant odors coming from behind the door, as well as passengers walking back and forth and door slamming (which is often the most annoying thing).

I think places 01-04 and 53-54 are not very good. There are also passengers walking back and forth, you can hear constant conversations from the conductor's compartment and possible rattling of the door (mostly only in winter). Place 53 is sometimes used as a service location.

In the third and sixth “compartments” (seats 9-12, 21-24) there are emergency exit windows and hammers for breaking them. Rarely, but this can also be a plus.

Based on all this, I think that the best thing is the seats in the middle of the car. Whether they are side or not, upper or lower, depends on everyone’s preferences and travel conditions. Also, as practice shows, the comfort of a trip depends quite a lot on fellow travelers - the trip itself in an inconvenient place may turn out to be much more pleasant than good location, but with annoying neighbors.