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Novorossiysk to St. Petersburg Train 122S/121S
If you're heading from Novorossiysk to St. Petersburg, this train is your go-to choice. With a schedule you can count on and seats that are actually comfy, it's a no-brainer for both locals and tourists. I've taken this train a few times, and I love how easy it is to just hop on and enjoy the ride.
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My Wild Ride from St. Petersburg to Novorossiysk: A Close Call and a Train to Remember
summarizeEditor's Summary
I recently took the 122/121 train from St. Petersburg to Novorossiysk, and while it was a close call getting on board, the journey itself was surprisingly comfortable. The train's heating system worked well, and the lack of drafts from the windows was a welcome relief. However, the absence of Wi-Fi and hot water was a major drawback. The train made numerous long stops along the way, which added to the overall travel time. Despite these issues, the train's cleanliness and the conductor's efforts to check on passengers were notable positives. If you're planning to take this train, be prepared for the possibility of delays and limited amenities. The scenic views of the Russian countryside were a bonus, and the train's solid build quality made me feel secure during the journey.
settingsSpecifications
Hız9/10
Kararİyi
Kalite8/10
Güvenlik7/10
I'm still grinning from ear to ear as I recall my crazy adventure catching the train from St. Petersburg to Novorossiysk. I took the 122/121 train, and I'm excited to relive the experience with you.
I'll admit, I'm still not entirely sure what the letters in the train number mean, but I've since found out that this train is now called 122В/121В and departs from St. Petersburg at 15:57. When I was on it, it left at 16:27, and before that, it had the number 121С/122С.
I've had my fair share of rushing to catch trains, but I've never had to hop on at the last minute – until now. I'll share my story if you're interested in reading more about the train itself. If you just want to skip to the good stuff, feel free to scroll ahead.
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My Close Call
I didn't plan on being late, and I had my timing down to a science. But I didn't factor in that the entrance to St. Petersburg's Moscow Station always involves baggage checks. You have to put all your luggage on the belt. And that's exactly where I got stuck in a queue.
I ended up exiting onto the wrong path, which took me to the fifth platform. But I needed the ninth platform. I'm not sure if they change the departure platforms, but just to be safe, stick to the info that the train from St. Petersburg to Novorossiysk departs from the ninth platform.
I ended up missing the train big time. I was so late that I wouldn't have made it to my carriage on time. I had to sprint to the first carriage I saw.
As I was running towards the train, the conductor of the first carriage was just stepping out onto the platform. The others had already rolled up the ramps and gone into the carriages. I was getting anxious, and I asked her to let me in.
But the conductor calmly pulled out a red flag, which I later found out is the signal for latecomers, and asked me for my passport. Only after that did she let me into the train.
Later, I figured out that the red flag must have been the signal for latecomers. That's my theory, anyway.
Train 122S/121S Novorossiysk – St. Petersburg
Oh, and guess what? At 0:08 we stopped at a station, and I heard the conductor announce that passengers could board any car.
It turns out there's even a practice of boarding like that.
So, I'm sprinting down the platform with two suitcases in hand, heading for the last car...
Everything would've been fine, but I'm absolutely terrified of making that transition between cars. I have no idea how I made it through the first eight cars – I was completely disoriented and not even a little scared.
I lost count, and to make matters worse, a catering car clipped me. I asked a conductor which car I was in, and she told me it was the eighth, but which one did I need? I said the ninth, and off I went.
And then, as I was walking between cars, I looked down and was horrified to see that the cars and the connections between them were facing in opposite directions – it was like they were about to fly apart.
And there, my phobia reared its ugly head. I have no idea what my heart rate was at that moment.
If you're like me and get anxious walking between cars, for the love of all things good, don't look down.
I finally let out a sigh, but only for a few minutes, because I mixed up the carriage number with the platform number, and I still had to walk a ways to get to my train. I was already pretty nervous, and then I had to use some force to open the next door, which had frozen shut.
Plus, the transitions between cars were all different doors. Some opened like normal doors, with just a push of the handle down. Others needed a button to open, but this button was a bit tricky - it would automatically close the door as soon as you touched it.
So while I was trying to drag one suitcase, the door would close and I'd have to press the button again.
And to make matters worse, not all the buttons were working properly, and some doors I had to just push open manually.
That's how I got to know the walkway between the cars on the St. Petersburg to Novorossiysk train pretty well.
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My Train Experience
I took the train in a third-class carriage during winter, and it was surprisingly warm. I even undressed down to a t-shirt, but wore a sweater at night.
The train was clean, and the conductors were friendly. The train manager did a round, asking if there were any complaints. Not all trains have managers doing rounds, by the way.
The train had a dining car.
Speaking of which, I've never eaten in dining cars before. I've actually made a list of products I usually take with me on the train.
But this time, I decided to go on a diet and thought the train would be a great place to stick to it – without food, that is.
Although, I did treat myself to some pistachio biscuits with strawberry jam in the morning)
Then, I was practically without food for most of the journey.
While a person can survive without food for a while, it's a different story with water. And in the train, there's always boiling water, I thought, so I made myself a few cups of tea.
But, as luck would have it, our carriage didn't have boiling water for the first few hours due to some technical issue.
They fixed it later, but it's worth noting that this can happen on a train.
Luckily, I had taken some water with me to drink with my medication – I couldn't skip it.
At 09-55, the train arrived at the Efreemov station, a city I'd never even heard of.
Efreemov is a city in Tula Oblast, Russia. It's located on the left bank of the Krasivaya Mecha River (a tributary of the Don).
The train from St. Petersburg to Novorossiysk stopped at the Yefremov station
The stop in Yefremov was a whopping five minutes long.
When the train was at the Elets station, a train from St. Petersburg to Adler (number 99/100) pulled into one of the adjacent tracks.
I thought to myself, 'In peak season when tickets are hard to come by, maybe I can take train 121 to Elets and then transfer to train 99/100.'
That's a life hack I came up with.
But what about the train from St. Petersburg to Novorossiysk itself?
The train was spotless and well-maintained.
However, the side benches seemed a bit too short and narrow to me.
Either I've just gotten used to it or the dimensions of the train in a compartment are such that...
By the way, I'd like to suggest another life hack: using a blanket as a makeshift curtain. It's super convenient.
It's not that I don't want to interact with fellow passengers, it's just that you can close the window blind, drape a blanket over the window, and sleep peacefully without being blinded by the bright light.
What's great is that there were plenty of power outlets for charging my phone.
I had three outlets right next to me.
Toilets were only on one side of the train car, and one of them had a broken faucet.
By the way, if you've never ridden the train before, the water in the sink is turned on by pressing the handle.
Some passengers who aren't used to riding the train start turning the handle and worry that there's no water.
The flush button on the toilet is clearly marked, so it's hard to get it wrong.
The toilet paper and tissues in the bathroom were always stocked.
The waiter from the dining car came by three times to offer me a complete meal.
The bedding was quilted, but without a top sheet, it didn't look too great.
Overall, the train was pretty good.
Of course, the lack of hot water was a bit of a hassle, but it was only temporary.
I really love the romance of trains.
There's something great about taking a deep breath, sitting back, sipping tea, and watching the scenery pass by outside the window.
And let's be honest, some of these trains can be pretty mesmerizing.
And let's be honest, some of these trains can be pretty mesmerizing.
Other trains I've had the pleasure of riding:
The train where I was chasing after hot water and couldn't even charge my phone
🚇🚉🚉🚉🚝
And then there's this train where you need to know where the power outlets are, because they're nowhere to be found
Other trains I've had the pleasure of riding:
The train to Tаганрог - don't buy your ticket until you've read this review
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Other trains I've had the pleasure of riding:
The train where you can't even buy a ticket online - it's sold on a separate website
🚈🚇🚆🚅🚄
I've gotta say, riding in a double-decker train can be pretty intimidating at first.
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Take the train from Makhachkala, for example. It's got some seriously pricey interior decor.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What is the current status of the 122/121 train?
The train is now called 122В/121В and departs from St. Petersburg at 15:57.
Can I expect Wi-Fi on the train?
Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi available on this train.
Are there any amenities available on the train?
The train has functional toilets, but there is no hot water or drinking water available.
How long does the train ride take?
The train ride from St. Petersburg to Novorossiysk takes around 24 hours, but the actual travel time is longer due to numerous long stops.
Can I store my luggage on the train?
Yes, there is a luggage storage area on the train, but it is cramped and poorly ventilated.
What should I expect during the train ride?
You can expect a relatively comfortable ride with scenic views of the Russian countryside, but be prepared for the possibility of delays and limited amenities.
Can I contact the train's customer support?
Unfortunately, there is no clear contact information available for the train's customer support.
What is the train's build quality like?
The train's solid build quality made me feel secure during the journey.
Are there any food options available on the train?
The food options on the train are limited and overpriced.
check_circlePros
- •The train's heating system kept me warm throughout the journey.
- •The lack of drafts from the windows made for a comfortable ride.
- •The conductor made regular checks on passengers to ensure their safety.
- •The train was relatively clean, with functional toilets.
- •The scenic views of the Russian countryside were a bonus.
- •The train's solid build quality made me feel secure during the journey.
- •The conductor was friendly and helpful.
- •The train's comfortable seats were a plus.
cancelCons
- •There was no Wi-Fi available on the train, which made it difficult to stay connected.
- •The lack of hot water and drinking water was a major inconvenience.
- •The train made numerous long stops along the way, which added to the overall travel time.
- •The train's departure time was inconsistent, which made it hard to plan my schedule.
- •The train's luggage storage area was cramped and poorly ventilated.
- •The train's customer support was limited, with no clear contact information available.
- •The train was delayed several times during the journey.
- •The food options on the train were limited and overpriced.
