Is the Northern Palmyra train suitable for families with young children?

Yes, the train is a great option for families with young children. The restrooms are clean and plentiful, and the conductor is friendly and helpful. Just be sure to book your tickets well in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly.

What kind of food options are available on the Northern Palmyra train?

The food options on the train are limited, and not all that great. It's best to bring your own snacks and meals, or stop at a cafe or restaurant along the way.

How long does the Northern Palmyra train ride take?

The train ride takes around 24 hours, depending on the route and the number of stops.

Can I bring my pet on the Northern Palmyra train?

No, pets are not allowed on the Northern Palmyra train.

Are there any power outlets on the Northern Palmyra train?

Yes, there are power outlets available on the train, but they may be in short supply.

Can I purchase tickets for the Northern Palmyra train online?

Yes, you can purchase tickets for the Northern Palmyra train online, but be sure to book well in advance as they tend to sell out quickly.

What kind of luggage storage is available on the Northern Palmyra train?

There is limited luggage storage available on the train, so be sure to keep your belongings close and secure.

Can I change my ticket on the Northern Palmyra train?

Yes, you can change your ticket on the train, but be sure to do so in advance as changes may incur a fee.

Are there any discounts available for the Northern Palmyra train?

Yes, there are discounts available for students, seniors, and groups. Be sure to ask about them when you book your tickets.

Northern Palmyra Train Review: A Family-Friendly Ride

Hello!

I've already shared our train ride from Krasnodar to St. Petersburg on another train. You can find the link to that review at the end of this article. Now, I want to share my experience with the return trip from St. Petersburg back home to Krasnodar.

Buying Train Tickets

We planned our trip for September, but we ended up buying tickets earlier than expected. When we decided to travel, I immediately started looking for tickets on the Northern Palmyra train. As it turned out, there were almost none left. This wasn't surprising, given how quickly those tickets get snapped up as soon as sales begin. I managed to grab the last available tickets in the end car, and they were non-refundable, which actually helped me save some money.

Travel Time: 1 day and 7 hours.

As it turned out, I first bought tickets from St. Petersburg and then bought tickets from Krasnodar afterwards.

I took a huge risk buying non-refundable tickets, but it all worked out in the end. The trip was a success, and I even managed to travel in comfort. The only downside was the inconvenient disembarkation time, which I'll mention later.

I bought the tickets online through the official RZD app. I downloaded the app, and that's where I purchased the tickets. Our 2-year-old son traveled for free without a designated seat, so he slept on the same bench as me or my husband.

Boarding the Train

It was all pretty standard. We arrived at the station, found the online board, and waited for our train to appear. Then we headed to our carriage. We had carriage number 2. You also need to have your documents ready, which the conductor checks at the entrance. Don't forget your birth certificate. Even though my kid was traveling for free, we still had to get a ticket for them.

We had an upper and lower bunk. Our tickets were for the first floor. Now, here's the thing. Before buying the tickets, I read other reviews and realized it's better to get tickets for the first floor, especially if you're booking an upper bunk. Even on the first floor, the second bunk is pretty cramped. You can't really sit there, only lie down. On the second floor, it's even tighter.

And another thing. The window on the second floor is really low. My kid was able to look out of it comfortably, but I guess it's designed with kids in mind. Many people ended up coming down to our carriage just to stand by the window and look out.

Second Floor North Palmira

Coach, Comfort, Ride

Now, let me tell you about the other aspects. And there were plenty of them.

When we got into our compartment, the top shelves were already lined with bed sheets. We had to put our own stuff on the lower shelves. The blanket was already tucked into the bed. We also had a playpen. We bought it beforehand. My husband set it up right away.

We stowed our luggage under the lower shelf. There wasn't much of it. Everything fit. The only thing was that the stroller was lying almost under the table. The suitcase fit comfortably under the shelf.

Under the table, there are 4 power outlets. When we were on another train, there was a power outlet on the upper shelves. There's also individual lighting. If needed, the window can be closed from the sun or night lights.

I've gotta say, everything was standard issue. We had hooks, shelves - you name it. We used them all the time.

Each of us also had our own personal kit. That included things like single-use slippers, a shoe brush, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a towel, and a sticker.

Personal kit from Sergaya Paliyra

To get from one car to another, you just press a button. The doors open, and they close automatically.

Bathroom

The bathrooms were only on one side of the train, and there were three of them. Each one had a sink, a toilet with a sensor button, toilet paper, soap, and paper towels. The bathrooms were never locked throughout the entire journey - not even on long stops. You could use them without any issues.

One of the things that caught my attention was the trash cans right outside the bathrooms. They had individual compartments, but it seemed like nobody was actually using them. When the attendants would collect the trash, it was often pretty smelly.

Also, in the bathroom itself, there was a sign saying that you could use the shower for an extra fee. We didn't end up using it, so I'm not sure if it's true.

Toilet in the train

The second floor didn't have any bathrooms, so you'd have to walk down to the first floor via the stairs. To be honest, the bathrooms were rarely occupied, except for maybe in the morning and evening when there'd be a short line.

Food

When we entered the carriage, we noticed the individual snack boxes on the table. I'm showing you what was inside.

Snack on the train

We got a pretty standard snack pack: a water bottle, a small loaf of bread, some apple paste, and disposable utensils.

Later, they brought us dinner. The food was included in the ticket price. We had a choice between grechka with goulash or rice with chicken and mushrooms. My husband and I took both options. They also brought some vacuum-packed sausage slices.

Northern Palmyra foodSt. Petersburg train food

The portions were generous, but I wouldn't say the food was particularly tasty. However, my son enjoyed the grechka with meat. The food is provided once during the trip, and I wish we could have chosen what we wanted. We boarded at 8 pm, and we already had dinner with us. On the second day, I would have taken the dinner option.

I also ordered some food for my son from the restaurant car, and I did it through their official website. As it turned out later, they had rejected my order because the items weren't in stock. But the rejection never reached me, and I was waiting for it. We found out about it when I went to the restaurant car to ask about my order.

I've found it's way more convenient to order food from the conductor or head to the dining car myself. I ended up ordering pancakes with meat. They took the order and promptly brought them to our compartment. The pancakes were delicious. My son enjoyed them. The food was actually tastier than what we had in another train, and it was cheaper too.

We also boiled noodles and ate the food we brought along for the ride.

You can also buy snacks, coffee, and water bottles from the conductor.

Entertainment

The train has Wi-Fi. Their website isn't bad, and you can watch movies, cartoons, and play some games. I put on a train-themed cartoon for my son, and he enjoyed it. The regular Wi-Fi worked intermittently.

Just before bedtime, the conductor brought us a gift. We opened it the next day, and it was a set of wax crayons and a coloring book with puzzles. My son enjoyed coloring and flipping through the magazine.

Train Playset

There were also magazines on board. You could buy something from there, but it was clear the prices were out of this world.

We made the most of our time on the train. We looked out the window, read, drew, made stickers and tattoos. We played with the toys we brought along and explored the train. Overall, my son handled the trip like a pro. He loves trains, so he was in heaven. Everything was interesting to him, and watching other trains pass by was just thrilling.

Occasionally, the train attendants would come by and vacuum.

On longer stops, we'd get off to stretch our legs. When we were in Voronezh, we took a closer look at the train - it was like a museum. The stop was long enough that we could even take a guided tour. We just looked at the train, read the information board, walked around, and took some photos as a memento.

One thing I noticed was that when we got off the carriage, we could close it with a key card. We usually did that when everyone was heading out onto the street.

We had to leave for Krasnodar at 3 am. Not exactly ideal, but what can you do? We woke up, got ready, grabbed our sleeping son and headed out to the exit.

The Verdict

I can see why tickets for this train sell out so quickly. Out of all the options, this train is the fastest and most comfortable, and at the same price point. If I need to book tickets to St. Petersburg again, I'd definitely look for this one first.

I'd say this train is a great choice for families with kids. The train staff were friendly and helpful, and the amenities were great. We had a great time on the train, and I'd definitely recommend it to others.

This train was our ride from Krasnodar to St. Petersburg.