Russian Railways announced discounts for the economy class of Sapsan departing on May 1 and May 9 on any leg and in any direction. That’s a bit more expensive than a night bus between Moscow and Petersburg and one and a half time cheaper than a flight on these days.
The 1st of May is the official start of the long May holidays in Russia, which in fact start a bit earlier as many people will prefer to take their leaves at the end of April to prolong vacations.
Sapsan’s economy class will cost on May 1 and May 9 as follows:
— Moscow – St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg – Moscow routes: from 2401 rubles;
— Nizhny Novgorod – St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg – Nizhny Novgorod routes: from 3014 rubles.
Booking is already available. To book and buy tickets online via tutu.travel service visit www.tutu.travel/poezda/
And here you can see the train schedule.
Note: Nizhny Novgorod is not Veliky Novgorod, which is a popular day trip from St. Petersburg.
In other days, the economy class is typically 3137 to 4083 rubles (on the day of the publication). RZD uses dynamic pricing so prices change toward departure date depending on days left and demand. The discounted economy class is even cheaper than the Basic tariff plan introduced last year.
A night 11-hour long bus trip by Ecolines from Moscow to St. Petersburg costs 1544 rubles.
Air flights cost around 4,000 rubles one way on the date of the publication and are likely to rise toward the vacations.