Kazan Railway Station is one of the busiest and most visited stations in the city, and it's a real mixed bag. The incredible architecture and diversity are a draw, but the massive and often chaotic crowds can be overwhelming. Just take a moment to lose track of time, and you'll be swept away by suitcases or enormous backpacks.
When I'm facing a long layover, I often take advantage of business lounge and relaxation room services. Kazan Railway Station is no exception - it kindly offers what's called the Comfort Room.
The Comfort Room is available 24/7, which is a major perk.
Service is available 24/7.
Ambiance, exterior
The Comfort Room is presented in a pretty impressive way, with high ceilings and architectural elements that give it a sense of grandeur. It's definitely a nice touch.
This comfort room is no exception.
relaxation room at Kazan Railway StationHigh ceilings and other 'claims to imperial status' are quite something. If I'm not mistaken, this lounge used to be a restaurant.
The 3-hour price for staying in the comfort room is 500 rubles per person. I'm not sure if you can pay for fewer hours, as the price is only indicated for 3 hours on the entrance!
comfort room at Kazan Railway Station in Moscow, price
Free services:
Relaxation areaDrink of your choice - tea or coffeeInternetPressE-booksChildren's areaTV viewingBathroom
Welcome drink Additional costs:
Soups, ice cream, souvenirs, and moreMassage chairsSleeping capsulesMenu-based meals
The most unusual thing that catches my eye is the presence of sleeping capsules. These are like modern, individual resting places either for sleep with a USB port and space for luggage.
Sleeping capsules at Kazan StationRecently, RZD launched a new service - capsule hotels. So, as far as I know, these capsules have been open since August 2022 at Kazan and Yaroslavsky stations in Moscow.
Guests are provided with a pillow, a set of disposable bedding, and a blanket. You can also purchase additional sets for shaving and personal hygiene.
Each capsule is designed for one person, but it's possible to accommodate a mother with a child up to 6 years old.
So, if you're not afraid of enclosed spaces, this idea might appeal to you. The cost of the capsule at the time was 250 rubles for an hour, 450 rubles for three hours, and so on. The longer you stay, the cheaper it becomes per hour.
And, of course, the prices for the capsules are an additional cost on top of the comfort lounge stay!
Facilities are pretty basic, with paper, paper towels, but no air freshener, and not very clean. Storage lockers are also available.
The not-so-great moments
Flies. I don't get where they're all coming from. I haven't seen that many all summer, let alone in this waiting room. I mean, I've been on the train station platform and seen zero flies buzzing around.You can't even grab a snack - they're everywhere, and the bathroom is just a nightmare!
The couches are worn out and torn. Honestly, I've never seen decent couches in Russian waiting rooms. They're all pretty rough, but I just can't wrap my head around it.
The screaming kids. It's so loud and all-encompassing due to the massive ceiling. The echo carries all the way to the corners of the room. I'm not even sure how people sleep in the capsules, maybe they have some kind of soundproofing, but it's impossible to relax on the couches.Of course, free waiting rooms have their own downsides - there are a lot of scammers, pickpockets, and other shady characters. It's especially annoying when they hover around 'sleeping' passengers.
The bottom line
Can you comfortably wait or take a break at Kazan train station?
Despite the existence of the Comfort Room, I wouldn't call it 'worth it'. But what choice do we have, so we just have to make do with what we have.
These endless flies, worn-out sofas, and the loud noise from the high ceilings. Honestly, I'd give the comfort level a solid three at most.
But I've got to give them credit - the customer support is top-notch, and you can definitely get comfortable lounging on those sofas if you want to.
I'd even say the sleep capsules are a form of comfort in themselves.