Distance traveled: 647km
Duration of train ride: 9hrs 45min
Total distance traveled from Korea: 11472km
We caught the overnight train from Moscow to St. Petersburg at the Leningradsky Station (which is adjacent to the Yaroslavsky Station, which we arrived in on the Trans-Siberian, and is also next to the Kazansky Station). By this time, we were experienced train veterans and quickly got into the usual routine: train pulls into the station, we check our tickets to see which wagon and berth we have, the providnitsa checks our tickets and we get on board. After dropping luggage in the room and posting a guard, we break out the flip flops and settle in for the ride.
In contrast to the Trans-Siberian, a large portion of the passengers were tourists. Our car was largely taken over by a Chinese tour group (it seemed like there were several on the train). Nothing of significance happened on the route, and since it was dark outside there was nothing to see of the landscape. The best thing about the overnight train is convenience: you don’t need to pay for lodging for the night, it’s cheaper than the Sapsan (about $95/ticket, versus $130), and even though it takes longer (almost 10 hours vs 4.5 hours) it’s all happening overnight when you’d probably be sleeping.
The next morning, we arrived in Leningrad St. Petersburg at 0645hrs and set off to find our new “home” for the next couple days!
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| Disembarking at the Moscovsky Train Station in St. Petersburg along with a Chinese tour group. | Lance wrestles with “The Beast” as he minds the gap between the train and the platform. |
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