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General discussion => Train fares and tariffs => Topic started by: john_st on November 02, 2011, 02:39:04 pm

Title: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on November 02, 2011, 02:39:04 pm
Hello :)

I would like to go on the Transsiberian from Split (Croatia) to Vladivostok next summer, so after I heard of the amazing offer from Slovakian railways to Russia and started to plan my trip, but I have some questions.

1. I read, that people buy this CityStar ticket in Slovakia but choose to board the train to Moscow in Budapest. Is this okay if there are other trains to Moscow (from Žilina) which do not go through Budapest? It would be great for me since Split (via Zagreb) is better connected with Budapest than it is with Bratislava (or Žilina for that matter).

2. If I go to Bratislava and buy this CityStar ticket, do I simply say that my destination in Russia is Vladivostok, or do I have to name all of the intermediate stations in between?

3. Can I choose one route TO Vladivostok and a different one back FROM it?

This last question is very important to me because I would like to go to Vladivostok like this 

Budapest-Kiev-Moskva-Vladivostok

and return like this

Vladivostok-Irkutsk-Yekaterinburg-Kazan-Kiev-Budapest

so if this is not possible, I have to rethink my plans.

Thank you in advance  ;)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 02, 2011, 03:38:54 pm
I read, that people buy this CityStar ticket in Slovakia but choose to board the train to Moscow in Budapest. Is this okay if there are other trains to Moscow (from Žilina) which do not go through Budapest? It would be great for me since Split (via Zagreb) is better connected with Budapest than it is with Bratislava (or Žilina for that matter).
You can not use Slovak CityStar from Budapest, since that is the point of the whole ticket to be used for rail travel from destinations in Slovakia directly to Ukraine (via Cierna-Chop). Thus it is not issued like ZSSK-MAV-UZ-RZD, but only ZSSK-UZ-RZD.
The thing you are referring is probably about boarding direct Budapest-Moscow train at the first station your Slovak CityStar will be valid from. In this case it will be Ukrainian Chop, from there route of your CityStar and direct Moscow train is similar. In this case you travel on your own to Chop, while from there you can start using the CityStar. Obviously this means you will need to get separate tickets from Croatia to Hungary and then Chop, but Split-Budapest you will need to go anyway, while Budapest-Chop cost only 17 EUR or 34 EUR return vs. Budapest-Bratislava (direct 16 EUR or even cheaper in case of Budapest-Esztergom-Sturovo-Bratislava or direct bus). At the end you basically have a choice whether to travel via Eastern Hungary or enjoy the ride through the whole Slovakia. The later option might preferably since now there is a direct RZD carriage Bratislava-Moscow everyday.
If I go to Bratislava and buy this CityStar ticket, do I simply say that my destination in Russia is Vladivostok, or do I have to name all of the intermediate stations in between?
The thing is that there are quite a few routes how it is possible to travel from Moscow to Vladivostok, thus in order for ticket cashier to issue CityStar for the correct one, s/he need to enter few key intermediate destinations (including border points), which basically limit the choice of routes. That is why it's a good idea to keep in mind the route you plan to choose, both via Ukraine and Russia
But in some cases CityStar as well allows to travel alternative routes (if available), for instance Bratislava-Cierna can be done either via Zilina or via Zvolen, same thing with Moscow-Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg) - either via Kirov or via Kazan. You can see how is it written in the actual ticket here - http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/sk/ticket/20070801_011.jpg , it just says Moskva*Novosibirsk without specifying the intermediate points.
Can I choose one route TO Vladivostok and a different one back FROM it? 
Well, ZSSK website says: "Cesta tam a cesta späť sa môže uskutočniť rôznymi pohraničnými prechodovými bodmi, ktoré sa uvedú na cestovnom lístku pri jeho výdaji". And we never heard from anyone that it doesn't work with CityStar ZSSK-RZD
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on November 03, 2011, 12:51:49 am
After checking every possible combination at reiseauskunft.bahn.de from Zagreb to Bratislava, there is no reasonable way for me to be in Bratislava in time for the through train to Moscow without spending an extra night in Bratislava. So I think I will use your advice and travel from Budapest to Chop and then board the direct Moscow train. If the schedule remains the same for next year, I should be in Chop at 01:13, and the train from Bratislava should be there 00:50. Since the bogies are being changed and the train to Moscow resumes from Chop at 04:18 there is plenty of time to even maybe see the whole procedure as it takes place.

Do you think it will be a problem for me to board the train so late in the night? I mean, people will probably be sleeping in the compartment I get so...

Do you know how much would the sleeper supplement cost from Chop to Moscow? From Zilina to Moscow its 24€. And also for the return trip, from Chop to Budapest, how much would it cost (on top of the 17€) to stay in the sleeper wagon?

Regarding alternate routes within Russia, if the ticket cashier enters the stations like in your ticket, does that mean that I could also choose a route Moskva-St.Peterburg-Novosibirsk?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 03, 2011, 02:14:22 pm
After checking every possible combination at reiseauskunft.bahn.de from Zagreb to Bratislava, there is no reasonable way for me to be in Bratislava in time for the through train to Moscow without spending an extra night in Bratislava.
Yep, it seems a bit tricky to be in Bratislava before 13:57, while starting from Zagreb in the morning. But actually you not necessarily have to spend night in Bratislava, since you can always catch EN 498 till Villach, where to change for Venice-Vienna EN 236. Not very comfortable night, but still change time in Villach is minimal + you can get discounted tickets for both segments Zagreb-Villach and Villach-Vienna, while Vienna-Bratislava is easy and cheap even on the day of travel.
So I think I will use your advice and travel from Budapest to Chop and then board the direct Moscow train.
Actually we just remembered that Chop isn't the only place to catch Bratislava-Moscow carriage. You can do it much more comfortably in Slovenske Nove Mesto. The trick is that this small village is basically an old suburb of Hungarian town Sátoraljaújhely (you can check google maps on your own, but the distance between two railway stations is less than 3 km). And on the contrary there is no problem to catch connection Budapest-Sátoraljaújhely, thus you can use  EN Venice-Budapest from Zagreb and be in Sátoraljaújhely as early as 15:09, while 609 train with Bratislava-Moscow carriage will be there only 21:45. Thus you will even have a chance to from Slovenske Nove Mesto to Kosice, enjoy the town for a few hours and board same 609 there, avoiding hassle on short stop in Slovenske Nove Mesto.
Since the bogies are being changed and the train to Moscow resumes from Chop at 04:18 there is plenty of time to even maybe see the whole procedure as it takes place.
You won't be able to see it (unless you are on that train), since bogie change isn't near train station building.
Do you think it will be a problem for me to board the train so late in the night? I mean, people will probably be sleeping in the compartment I get so...
No, it won't be a problem, since passengers anyway wake up for all the border procedures. Chop itself might not look like very pleasant place, especially old Soviet long-distance/international train station building, but on the contrary it's quite an experience for foreigners  ;)
Do you know how much would the sleeper supplement cost from Chop to Moscow? From Zilina to Moscow its 24€.
If we not mistaking, it should be 19 € , but the problem here is in purchasing it. You might experience trouble buying such reservation in Chop, since the things get done really old fashion way there and no guarantees that ticket cashier will understand/know how to etc.. That is why it might be a good idea to come to Chop with sleeper reservation already in hand.
And also for the return trip, from Chop to Budapest, how much would it cost (on top of the 17€) to stay in the sleeper wagon?
As of this year, 2/2 sleeper for UZ carriage will cost you 14 €, but apparently there are huge changes in UZ international connections, so don't know yet the total end result. For RZD carriages sleeper reservations is much cheaper, as of now 7 €, but 2/3 (and again better to have it before coming to Chop, for instance purchase it in Moscow)
Regarding alternate routes within Russia, if the ticket cashier enters the stations like in your ticket, does that mean that I could also choose a route Moskva-St.Peterburg-Novosibirsk?
Well, we don't see it as a problem, as far as you won't do Moscow-SPb route 4 times via direct line, but go like Slovakia-Moscow-SPb-Vologda-Kirov and further towards Yekaterinburg (or vice versa). The trick with CityStar is that you can't travel any segment more than twice (meaning there and back), in other cases (and as far as your desired transit points are in Slovak system) there shouldn't be any problems with issuing such 'complicated' (in terms of route) ticket.
N.B. But if you seriously thinking of such complications regarding the route, then we would advise you also to check with ZSSK directly, since we aren't them, so just relying on our personal opinion :) ZSSK are pretty good about answering emails, thus just mail to them with the route you like and ask whether is it ok for ZSSK-RZD CityStar.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on November 04, 2011, 12:58:54 am
Thank you so much for your advice!

Thanks for the alternative via Slovenske Nove Mesto. I checked it out on Google and it's really close. But not practical for me because, I am from Split, and in order to catch the EN Venice-Budapest I would have to wait in Zagreb from 20:30 (last tilting train of the day) to 4:40 and that is too much. So, Chop it is.

I will buy the sleeper reservation Chop-Moskva and back in Bratislava when I buy the CityStar, and if they don't/can't sell it from Chop onward, I will simply buy a sleeper reservation Budapest-Moskva on top of my regular ticket Budapest-Chop from Hungarian railways since I will have the ticket from Chop onward with the CityStar.

The exact route I had in mind, using the same border crossing between Ukraine/Russia - Zernovo, is like this:

Chop - via Kiev - Moskva
Moskva - St. Peterburg
St. Peterburg - Moskva
Moskva - via Yekaterinburg - via Novosibirsk - via Irkutsk - Vladivostok
Vladivostok - Irkutsk
Irkutsk - Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg - via Kazan - Volgograd
Volgograd - Kazan
Kazan - Moskva
Moskva - via Kiev - Chop

I chose to go to Volgograd via Kazan, and return to Kazan later, even though it's on the way, because there is no direct train from Volgograd to Kiev via Zernovo unless I go through Kazan, and I really want to visit both towns. If this is not possible using the CityStar, I will buy the domestic russian ticket, but of course, I would like to save money if it is possible.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 04, 2011, 02:48:12 pm
I am from Split, and in order to catch the EN Venice-Budapest I would have to wait in Zagreb from 20:30 (last tilting train of the day) to 4:40 and that is too much. So, Chop it is.
Well, it's totally your choice :) But also let us remind you that, as you probably know, during summer there is direct connection Split-Budapest with early arrival to Hungarian capital, so in case you plan your Russian trip during that period you can probably count on it.
I will buy the sleeper reservation Chop-Moskva and back in Bratislava when I buy the CityStar, and if they don't/can't sell it from Chop onward...
Even if ZSSK counter (for whatever reason) won't sell you reservation Chop-Moscow, they are obliged to sell you Kosice/Cierna-Moscow reservation, it will cost maybe a euro or two more, than the one from Chop, but there you have total guarantee ;)
... I will simply buy a sleeper reservation Budapest-Moskva on top of my regular ticket Budapest-Chop from Hungarian railways since I will have the ticket from Chop onward with the CityStar.
Also seems like reasonable idea, you'll have two tickets and one reservation which totally fine in terms of rules, though Russian conductors might be a little surprised by such combination.
The exact route I had in mind, using the same border crossing between Ukraine/Russia - Zernovo, is like this:
Moskva - St. Peterburg
St. Peterburg - Moskva
...
Yekaterinburg - via Kazan - Volgograd
Volgograd - Kazan
Kazan - Moskva
Hmm... we afraid you will have problems with such route, since though you formally don't travel more than twice on each segment, but according to your itinerary you'll transit Moscow and Kazan 4 times. Thus we doubt ZSSK will issue such ticket  :-\
If this is not possible using the CityStar, I will buy the domestic russian ticket, but of course, I would like to save money if it is possible.
In terms of saving money, it's probably not the best option to travel on separate tickets there and back (meaning Kazan-Volgograd). Imho, it will be faster and cheaper simply to travel directly from Volgograd to Ukraine (thus not paying back ticket Volgograd-Kazan and sleeper Kazan-Moscow), while there catch cheap Ukrainian domestic train to Kyiv, from where you can come back to your original route.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on November 05, 2011, 01:14:54 am
Zdravo John  ;D

The border point between UZ and RŽD is Zernovo(Gr). Between Zernovo(Gr) and Vladivostok only available route is via Briansk*Moskva*Novosibirsk*Habarovsk. The route via St. Peterburg is available only with CityStar ticket via PKP and BČ, which is a lot more expensive. In that case border point between BČ and RŽD will be Ezerisce(Gr) and route between Ezerisce(Gr) and Vladivostok will be via St. Peterburg*Moskva*Novosibirsk.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 05, 2011, 06:38:13 pm
Between Zernovo(Gr) and Vladivostok only available route is via Briansk*Moskva*Novosibirsk*Habarovsk.
Thanks for the info, but that's a pity... Did ZSSK gave any decent explanation about that? Since it seems strange to have the limit for the only route  :-\
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on November 05, 2011, 11:06:27 pm
Zdravo Rasho :D

So, tickets for the route Moskva<->St.Peterburg I will have to buy in Moscow. I didn't have too high hopes to include it in the CityStar ticket anyway, but I had to ask :) The same is with the route Kazan-Volgograd and later Volgograd-Kiev.

However, about the route Yekaterinburg-Kazan, if the only available route between Zernovo(GR) and Vladivostok is as rasha says (Briansk*Moskva*Novosibirsk*Habarovsk) must I return on the Transsiberian route (via Perm and Nizhny Novgorod) or can I choose to travel via Kazan?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on November 06, 2011, 12:49:09 am
Thanks for the info, but that's a pity... Did ZSSK gave any decent explanation about that? Since it seems strange to have the limit for the only route  :-\

ZSSK now issues only electronic tickets, not manual any more. So they can issue ticket only with route which is in computer. But RZD is problem, not ZSSK, because RZD doesn't issue all the routes. Available routes are the one which are on http://passport.uic.asso.fr/login.dhtml (http://passport.uic.asso.fr/login.dhtml) or http://jizdenka.idos.cz/IT.aspx?Lang=69 (http://jizdenka.idos.cz/IT.aspx?Lang=69), but you cannot go via same station twice in one direction. So, from Zernovo, basically that is the only route available. You can chose for example, to combine different series, and you can get Zernovo(Gr) - Vladivostok via  Briansk*Moskva*Sverdlovsk*Omsk*Krasniarsk*Irkutsk Pass*Chita*Habarovsk or some other combinations, but every possible solution will be the same route, just with different via points listed.

John, you can definitely go Ekaterinburg - Moskva part via Kazan. Also you can go via Yaroslavl. I know cases that CityStar ticket was used on this routes. There arre also direct trains Moskva - Siberia which go via Kazan or Yaroslavl, so no problem. I was also wondering myself, since between Moskva and Novosibirsk there is no through point stated will be possible to go via Penza - Samara - Ufa - Cheliabinsk since once it was also the route of Transsiberian (like the route via Yaroslavl), but I'm not sure about it. I heard also stories, that somebody tried to go via BAM with CityStar (again, because between Novosibirsk and Habarovsk there are not through points stated), but I don't know how it ended since East-West fares for reservations for BAM are not available, only domestic ones.

John, I hope you are aware that domestic Russian reservations are highly expensive (eg. Moskva - Vladivostok 231 EUR T4), but you can save at least for Moskow - Irkutsk part by using BČ coaches on Minsk - Irkutsk train, or direct coach Warszawa - Irkutsk. For example, reservation T4 Moskva - Irkutsk costs 155 EUR, but Minsk - Irkutsk in BČ coach costs 56 EUR, or Warszawa - Irkutsk 54 EUR.

Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 06, 2011, 03:04:25 pm
ZSSK now issues only electronic tickets, not manual any more.
As far as we remember, GyuriFT some time ago mentioned that though majority of tickets issued by ZSSK with a help of computer, but you can still ask for the old style handwritten one, it will just take longer to issue (I think he said like 24h in case of Sturovo). Maybe it's not possible anymore, but at least it was.
But RZD is problem, not ZSSK, because RZD doesn't issue all the routes.
Somehow we aren't surprised  ;D Probably they aren't happy a lot, when foreigners squeeze maximum out of tickets like CityStar.
John, you can definitely go Ekaterinburg - Moskva part via Kazan. Also you can go via Yaroslavl. I know cases that CityStar ticket was used on this routes. There arre also direct trains Moskva - Siberia which go via Kazan or Yaroslavl, so no problem. I was also wondering myself, since between Moskva and Novosibirsk there is no through point stated will be possible to go via Penza - Samara - Ufa - Cheliabinsk since once it was also the route of Transsiberian (like the route via Yaroslavl), but I'm not sure about it.
Regarding this issue the solution might be rather simple - both UIC website and Jizdenka along with the route show the number of km, which correspond only to one specific route (for instance "Ekaterinburg*Omsk*Novosibirsk*Irkutsk"=9258km). But in case of actual ticket neither all the stations specified or number of km written, which allows to use alternative routes (like via Kazan, Yaroslavl etc.)
I heard also stories, that somebody tried to go via BAM with CityStar (again, because between Novosibirsk and Habarovsk there are not through points stated), but I don't know how it ended since East-West fares for reservations for BAM are not available, only domestic ones.
Actually in such cases, when you travel within a bit uncommon tourist areas with 'weird' (for local Russian conductors and ticket cashiers) tickets, you might get lucky and they will just issue cheap domestic tariff reservation instead of non-existent for this or that route expensive East-West one. But at the same time, there are also a good chance to get in trouble, since RZD officials for whatever reason might refuse to issue any reservation.
... domestic Russian reservations are highly expensive (eg. Moskva - Vladivostok 231 EUR T4), but you can save at least for Moskow - Irkutsk part by using BČ coaches on Minsk - Irkutsk train, or direct coach Warszawa - Irkutsk. For example, reservation T4 Moskva - Irkutsk costs 155 EUR, but Minsk - Irkutsk in BČ coach costs 56 EUR, or Warszawa - Irkutsk 54 EUR.
Btw, RZD lately became a bit more flexible in terms of domestic fares, thus at the moment you can get 'kupe' for 'Rossiya' (Moscow-Vladivostok) with 50% discount (in case of purchase >31 days in advance), which in total will be even cheaper, than just East-West reservation for the same train and route. Currently such 'unprecedented generosity' works only until Dec.22 for any domestic RZD routes (excluding Kaliningrad trains), but there are good chance RZD decides to continue the offer, at least for off-peak seasons. Thus john_st might actually try count his total plan with 50% RZD domestic tickets, good chances it will beat CityStar+East-West reservations
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on November 06, 2011, 05:18:13 pm
@rasha - I was aware of the Russian domestic reservation prices, not happy but aware :D but not that it could be even cheaper with your option via Belarus  :o

If I went the Belarus route from Split to Moskva, connections with Bratislava are far more simple, but the fact stil remains that the CityStar itself is 80€ more expensive than via Ukraine AND that there is no Belarussian embassy in Croatia! The nearest ones are in Belgrade or Wienna, and the proces takes at least 2 business days (double price) or 5 business days which complicates the whole matter.

Anyways, the timings via Belarus are:

Code: [Select]
Split       17:09   21/07/2012
Budapest    08:25   22/07/2012

Budapest    09:25   22/07/2012   
Bratislava  12:06   22/07/2012 - spend the day in Bratislava


Bratislava  23:02   22/07/2012
Warszawa    07:38   23/07/2012 - spend the day in Warszawa

Warszawa    21:00   23/07/2012
Minsk       08:42   24/07/2012 - spend the day in Minsk

Minsk       22:18   24/07/2012
Moskva      09:20   25/07/2012

and on the return part:

Code: [Select]
Moskva      00:49   17/08/2012
Warszawa    17:43   18/08/2012

Warszawa    20:36   18/08/2012
Bratislava  05:40   19/08/2012

Bratislava  05:53   19/08/2012
Budapest    08:40   19/08/2012 - spend the day in Budapest

Budapest    17:05   19/08/2012
Split       08:39   20/08/2012

And the timings via Ukraine are:

Code: [Select]
Split       17:09   21/07/2012
Budapest    08:25   22/07/2012

Budapest    09:25   22/07/2012   
Bratislava  12:06   22/07/2012

Bratislava  13:57   22/07/2012
Moskva      10:58   24/07/2012

and on the return part:

Code: [Select]
Moskva          23:44   17/08/2012
Sl. Nove Mesto  06:44   19/08/2012

30minute walk from Slovenske Nove Mesto to Satoraljaujhely

Satoraljaujhely 07:47   19/08/2012
Budapest        12:00   19/08/2012

Budapest        17:05   19/08/2012
Split           08:39   20/08/2012

But here is my problem: when you say BČ coaches, does that mean that I must travel from Minsk to Irkutsk on a direct train (thursday/saturday) or can I come from Moskva to Minsk, and then continue from Moskva to Irkutsk on a diferent train? If I have to take the direct train, than this is no good for me, since I would like to spend a few days in Moskva AND St. Peterburg before going to Vladivostok.

@tUt - Thank you for that 50% information, but does that apply only to "whole" tickets (ticket + reservation) bought in Russia, or also just for reservations bought anywhere? If the reservations are also discounted, then this is excellent news! If not, since I can't (at least I think I can't) buy Russian domestic tickets outside of Russia.

Also, something tells me that this "promotion" will only last from August 31st till December 22. Why? Because not so many tourists can travel in September, October and November, and it will stop just a few days before Gregorian calendar Christmass and of course the New Year.

Regarding BAM, I thought of going from Vladivostok to Irkutsk via BAM railway, but it takes 2 days (40hours) longer, so I would have to choose between the BAM route or visiting Kazan and Volgograd.

Regarding http://passport.uic.asso.fr/login.dhtml, the site requires a username and password to login.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on November 06, 2011, 05:57:53 pm
@tUt - Yes, Gyuri mentioned that, but in meantime ZSSK said they don't issue manual ticket's anymore since they don't have tariff books anymore, only computer.

@John - actually, from December 2010 CityStar ZSSK-RŽD via UZ is 120,0 EUR, and via PKP-BČ is 233,2 EUR. We will see if something changes from December 2011.

You cannot take the direct train Budapest/Bratislava - Warszawa since it goes via ČD. The CityStar via ČD is not possible. Currently the only passenger operating border point between ZSSK and PKP is Skalite(Gr). Unfortunately train Keszthely - Budapest - Krakow which used to go in summer last years via Plavec(Gr) doesn't operate, and will not operate this summer. So in case going via Skalite(Gr) from Bratislava, you will have to change trains in Zilina and Zwardon, and to spend a night in Katowice, and catch a Praha - Moskva (or Praha - St. Peterburg direct car) train in early morning in Katowice. Or you can continue from Katowice to Warsaw, and catch there a train to Moskva, Minsk, St. Peterburg or Irkutsk.

Unfortunately the 50% discount is only for domestic tickets, and as I red on russian forum it will not bi valid in summer 2012.

Regarding train Minsk - Irkutsk, you cannot buy reservation for Moskva - Irkutsk on that train, but you can buy reservation Minsk - Irkutsk and board in Moscow, or you can buy reservation Irkutsk - Minsk, and leave the train in Moscow, or for example in Yekaterinburg. The only problem is that that train goes through Moscow in the middle of the night.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on November 06, 2011, 07:44:21 pm
Sadly, this option via Belarus seems more complicated than the savings around it. Just the CityStar is almost twice as expensive as the Ukrainian option.

And even if it was the same, I would have to board the train Moscow-Irkutsk at 03:10 in the morning and then arrive at Irkutsk at 20:22 which means my entire day has been spent and I have to pay for an extra night for accomodation if I want to continue to Vladivostok, or to remain in Irkutsk one extra day to see everything I intended.

And on top of all that, I must go via Skalite which means paying another night of accomodation.

It would be nice to visit Warszawa and Minsk, but - Ukraine is the only real option here.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 06, 2011, 09:10:21 pm
Thank you for that 50% information, but does that apply only to "whole" tickets (ticket + reservation) bought in Russia, or also just for reservations bought anywhere?
50% off for the 'whole' domestic ticket. In Russia (as well as in Ukraine, Belarus etc.) ticket and reservation in domestic connections are basically 'inseparable' and even printed on one form together ( http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ru/ticket%2Btimetable/20060915_Moskva_SPB_108_kl.jpg ). Thus it's basically a deal that goes 'in total' and definitely has nothing to do with either East-West or MPT reservations.
...since I can't (at least I think I can't) buy Russian domestic tickets outside of Russia.
Actually you can, it is easily done via RZD website with no commission whatsoever. The only thing you need is bank card with 3D Secure (other tend not to work with their system). Also there are a lot of agencies that sell same tickets with a small commission (usually 200-300 RUB per ticket), but at the same time accept all the cards. So I guess you can pay extra 300 RUB to save like 10000 from Moscow-Vladivistok ticket  ;)
Regarding http://passport.uic.asso.fr/login.dhtml, the site requires a username and password to login.
see http://europetrainsguide.com/forum/index.php/topic,443.msg1446.html#msg1446
Unfortunately the 50% discount is only for domestic tickets, and as I red on russian forum it will not bi valid in summer 2012.
...something tells me that this "promotion" will only last from August 31st till December 22.
Well, it definitely hard to think that RZD will have it for the peak season (like Christmas/New Year period or summer months). But we would expect it to be back like from late January till April (or, if really, lucky May), maybe with some break for Russian holidays (like Feb 23, March 8 and Easter), but still. At least last year, as far as we remember, RZD did have another similar offer during late winter-spring. So in case of late April or May, imho, it can be almost as pleasant to make such trip + definitely less crowded. But if 50% discount is not offered anymore, then you can still always use CityStar or MPT tricks. 
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on November 06, 2011, 09:28:57 pm
My only "window of opportunity" is from July 20th to August 23rd, because I have hollidays then. Spring wouldbe nice, winter even nicer with the snow, but summer is the only time I can go, so - no discount for me (http://"http://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/no_soup_for_you.png")
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on November 07, 2011, 10:28:56 am
...Or if you don't mind traveling by plackart. It can be fun ;D
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on November 07, 2011, 11:56:28 am
@rasha - Actually, I was planning on travelling in platskartny on several parts which are about 24h long:

Moskva - St.Peterburg (8:32)
St.Peterburg - Moskva (9:13)
Kazan - Volgograd      (24:18)
Volgograd - Moskva    (21:37)

I think that the longest part (Kazan-Volgograd) is not so long to travel in 3rd class, and after all it is something I would definitely like to try :D

@tUt - I was doing some calculating, and it seems cheaper to go from Volgograd to Moskva and then onward to Kiev on CityStar, than it is going over Harkov or Dnepropetrovsk. Also, it is far simpler and less time consuming.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 07, 2011, 02:50:36 pm
I was doing some calculating, and it seems cheaper to go from Volgograd to Moskva and then onward to Kiev on CityStar, than it is going over Harkov or Dnepropetrovsk. Also, it is far simpler and less time consuming.
Let's count and find out :)
First of all your plan: Volgograd-Moscow segment if not to travel by the most expensive #1 trains, then platskartnyi will cost you around 1100 RUB now (or a bit more during summer) + difference between sleeper reservation Moscow-Bratislava vs. Kyiv-Bratislava for RZD carriage should be around 8-10 EUR. In case of time it should be something like 21 hours till Moscow, then, as far as we understand, you'll wait another 9 hours there to catch #15 (Moscow-Uzghorod) with Bratislava carriage (if to count the latest arrival to Moscow with #15 Volgograd-Moscow)+ 14 hours for Moscow-Kyiv segment, thus in total around 35 hours (including 9 hours stop in Moscow) and roughly 34-36 EUR for route Volgograd-Moscow-Kyiv.
Volgograd-Eastern Ukraine-Kyiv plan: since most of the trains from Volgograd towards Ukrainian border depart in the morning, you can use instead a bus for a short overnight leg Volgograd-Lugansk (there are at least two of them, both cost app.700 RUB, one of the buses actually go further to Kharkiv-Poltava-Kyiv). They depart 20-21 Russian time and arrive early morning. Then you can either stay in Lugansk and wait for direct #20 train (as of now 180 UAH for 'kupe' or 110 UAH 'platskartnyi') or, for instance, continue to Kharkiv, still have like half of the day for sightseeing and then catch any overnight train to Kyiv. In any case it will be <35 hours for such trip + about 32-33 EUR (counting 'kupe' from Lugansk)+ time for sightseeing whether in Lugansk/Kharkiv etc.+ up to 5 hours in Kyiv till arrival of #15 train.
Obviously option via Moscow seems a bit less hassle, while option via Eastern Ukraine is a bit more exotic and allows to check out few places in Ukraine. Anyway the choice is yours  ;)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on December 11, 2011, 04:21:54 pm
Big price increase for City Star ZSSK - RZD from today:

via UZ, RZD<1500 km - 129,36 EUR
via UZ, RZD>1500 km - 165,36 EUR
via PKP-BC, RZD>1500 - 245,5 EUR
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on December 11, 2011, 11:40:22 pm
Big price increase for City Star ZSSK - RZD from today
As usual, thanks for the info, rasha. We already updated info about those CityStars on Slovakia and Russia pages.

Did you happen to hear anything about new fares for reservations?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on December 13, 2011, 10:43:31 am
Reservation fares are the same for RZD, UZ are slightly cheaper, for BC I don't know.

Unfortunately, no more Kiev/Lvov - Bratislava direct coaches. Even afternoon cross border train Chop - Cierna goes earlier so it's impossible to change from train 7 Kiev - Chop to cross the border to Slovakia. There is additional Moskva - Bratislava coach during summer, and Moskva - Košice during winter.

Great (and updated!) source of information:
http://dijszabas.uw.hu/dijszabas/index.php (http://dijszabas.uw.hu/dijszabas/index.php)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on December 24, 2011, 04:52:11 pm
Is it a problem to buy the CityStar ticket during the weekend? Just wondering since if not, I need to take a day off to get to Bratislava on a working day. How long before can I buy them anyway? 92 days as with DB or less/more?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on December 27, 2011, 10:57:12 pm
Is it a problem to buy the CityStar ticket during the weekend?
Not a problem at all, ZSSK anyway sells now everything via computer, thus any working ticket counter with access should do fine. For instance official Client Centre in Bratislava Hl. works on weekends (http://www.zssk.sk/sk/informacie-o-cestovani)
How long before can I buy them anyway? 92 days as with DB or less/more?
In this part of Europe usually it's 60 days (same with any East-West ticket), and other ZSSK CityStars are also sold from 60 days in advance, so with ZSSK-RZD it's hardly different ;)

p.s. sorry for a bit late reply, we got carried away by the holiday season  :D
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: kimskifromgermany on January 05, 2012, 11:03:25 am
Hello  ;D,

here are a lot of information, that i don`t really get i think. 

1. To buy the City Star ticket I have defenitly go to the check republik and buy it there 60 day in advance on a workday?
    I want to go with my wife on the 6th or 7th of August to Vladivostock and back, so can i buy it in a station near the german boarder on the
    7/8 of June? No online booking? My check is not even bad, it is worse.

2. Where do i find the T3 or T4 availibilty in the trains i wanne ride? and can I make the reservations online or the same way in the CR?

Hope you have the time to help some slow minded german.. :-\
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on January 06, 2012, 07:01:05 pm
Hello  ;D,

here are a lot of information, that i don`t really get i think. 

1. To buy the City Star ticket I have defenitly go to the check republik and buy it there 60 day in advance on a workday?
    I want to go with my wife on the 6th or 7th of August to Vladivostock and back, so can i buy it in a station near the german boarder on the
    7/8 of June? No online booking? My check is not even bad, it is worse.

2. Where do i find the T3 or T4 availibilty in the trains i wanne ride? and can I make the reservations online or the same way in the CR?

Hope you have the time to help some slow minded german.. :-\

1. It's not Czech, it's Slovakian CityStar ticket. But, no problem, you can buy ticket even on the day of departure. So in your case, best option is to go Germany - Vladivostok via Slovakia.

2. You can buy reservations at train stations in Germany, 60 days in advance for international trains Slovakia - Russia, and 45 days in advance for inland Russian trains.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on January 07, 2012, 09:37:02 pm
Also a few notes to add: in Czech Republic, if to be more detailed, you can't purchase CityStar to Russia, but all the tickets for Russia is 30% off East-West tariff. Obviously those -30% can't compete with such a bargain as Slovak CityStar ZSSK-RZD via UZ, but still. As well to note, T3 is only available on West/Central Europe-Russia connections, while in Russia (as well as Ukraine or Belarus) it's only about T4 (four bed 'kupe' sleeper) or double (so called 'SV')

p.s. since you are from Germany, there is one more option regarding 'tricky' tickets (including ZSSK-RZD CityStar), we sent you an email (via forum pm) about it ;)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on January 08, 2012, 05:09:12 pm
Reservation fares are the same for RZD, UZ are slightly cheaper, for BC I don't know.

Unfortunately, no more Kiev/Lvov - Bratislava direct coaches. Even afternoon cross border train Chop - Cierna goes earlier so it's impossible to change from train 7 Kiev - Chop to cross the border to Slovakia. There is additional Moskva - Bratislava coach during summer, and Moskva - Košice during winter.

Great (and updated!) source of information:
http://dijszabas.uw.hu/dijszabas/index.php (http://dijszabas.uw.hu/dijszabas/index.php)

This new timetable messed everything up! I can now no longer enter into the Ukraine via Slovakia without spending an extra night either in Slovakia or in Hungary, so I must go throuh Chop via Budapest.

The timetable for the direct train from Split to Budapest is:

Code: [Select]
Split 21/07/2012.  18:46
Budapest 22/07/2012.  10:54

and for the train from Budapest to Moskva via Chop and Kiev is

Code: [Select]
Budapest 22/07/2012.  18:40
Chop    23/07/2012.  01:13
Moskva  24/07/2012.  09:55

Is it a problem if I buy the slovakian CityStar but don't actually use it within Slovakia? Please say no and save me 20€ for a hostel :)

I know that there is a 60% discount for return tickets from Croatia to anywhere in Hungary and that is what I am planning to use, but for the Zahony to Moskva part, can I maybe pay any less with some Hungarian tariff than with the slovakian CityStar?


Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on January 08, 2012, 05:21:33 pm
Is it a problem to buy the CityStar ticket during the weekend?
Not a problem at all, ZSSK anyway sells now everything via computer, thus any working ticket counter with access should do fine. For instance official Client Centre in Bratislava Hl. works on weekends (http://www.zssk.sk/sk/informacie-o-cestovani)
How long before can I buy them anyway? 92 days as with DB or less/more?
In this part of Europe usually it's 60 days (same with any East-West ticket), and other ZSSK CityStars are also sold from 60 days in advance, so with ZSSK-RZD it's hardly different ;)

p.s. sorry for a bit late reply, we got carried away by the holiday season  :D

No problem, there is time enough to discuss these details.

This 60 day thing, does that mean that if my first day of travel is July 23rd and the last is August 24th, that the 60 days start from May 23rd or June 24th? Logic dictates June, but that is maybe a problem because that would mean only 30 days between my first day of travel and the trains might be sold out. It is the midle of summer after all.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on January 09, 2012, 12:13:58 pm
Is it a problem if I buy the slovakian CityStar but don't actually use it within Slovakia? Please say no and save me 20€ for a hostel
As far as we know, it is not a problem at all. Nothing forbids you to use your ticket only on parts of the route and definitely nobody in Russia checks for Slovak conductor stamps.
...but for the Zahony to Moskva part, can I maybe pay any less with some Hungarian tariff than with the slovakian CityStar?
Well, one way ticket+reservation 2/3 Budapest-Moscow cost roughly 100 EUR, from Zahony obviously slightly cheaper, but honestly we don't see any reason here. You still intend to travel further east from Moscow? If yes, then MAV East-West ticket isn't the best option, imho. Much cheaper will be either go with CityStar (and Chop-Moscow segment will cost you only sleeper reservation fare) or just point-to-point, thus cross the border to Ukraine (Zahony-Chop cost a few euro), then take advantage of the cheap UZ domestic fare, next as short as possible UZ-Moscow ticket and finally Russian domestic tickets.
This 60 day thing, does that mean that if my first day of travel is July 23rd and the last is August 24th, that the 60 days start from May 23rd or June 24th?
Obviously May, it's always period before first day of validity, thus formula is "your dep.date-60 days"  ;)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on January 09, 2012, 09:32:30 pm
Little off topic,

CityStar Serbia-Russia/Russia-Serbia isn't available anymore  :(
But there is still CityStar Russia-Montenegro (probably Montenegro-Russia too). CityStar Vladivostok-Podgorica via Ukraine, Romania and Serbia costs 232 EUR.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on January 09, 2012, 09:38:08 pm
@John

Maybe, the best solution is to buy Split - Satoraljaujhely ticket, and then just walk to Slovenske Nove Mesto, and catch there train to Moscow.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on January 15, 2012, 02:43:52 pm
As far as we know, it is not a problem at all. Nothing forbids you to use your ticket only on parts of the route and definitely nobody in Russia checks for Slovak conductor stamps.

Excellent!!

Obviously May, it's always period before first day of validity, thus formula is "your dep.date-60 days"  ;)

Hm... This could be a problem I think. If the reservations are only avaliable 60 days in advance, then this would mean that in May I can buy the reservations to Moscow and onwards to Vladivostok, but not for the return. Basically, I would have to go to Slovakia twice, or risk getting reservations for the eastern legs of my journey by going to Slovakia just once in June.   :'(  :'(  :'(
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on January 15, 2012, 03:03:41 pm
@John

Maybe, the best solution is to buy Split - Satoraljaujhely ticket, and then just walk to Slovenske Nove Mesto, and catch there train to Moscow.

I guess so. But it seems that there is no longer a direct train to catch. I would have to go to Satoraljaujhely by train, walk over to Slovenske Nove Mesto, catch the train to Cierna nad Tisou, and from there catch a local train to Chop, and there catch the train from Budapest to Moscow.

The timetable to Moscow is very reasonable, since I would arrive in Budapest from Split at 10:54

Code: [Select]
Budapest-Keleti         16:00
Satoraljaujhely         20:09

Slovenske Nove Mesto    21:19
Cierna nad Tisou        21:57  

Cierna nad Tisou        22:44
Chop                 00:30  

Chop                    04:18
Moskva Kievskaja        10:58   +1

On return, My train to Split from Budapest leaves at 17:05 so the timetable is like this

Code: [Select]
Moskva Kievskaja        22:13
Chop                    03:00   +2

Chop                    04:10
Cierna nad Tisou        05:16  

Cierna nad Tisou        05:59
Slovenske Nove Mesto    06:35

Satoraljaujhely         07:47
Budapest-Keleti         12:00

This would be very rough night so I would like to avoid it.

Can you or tUt please tell me, if i bought a return ticket from Split to Zahony via Budapest in Croatia with the 60% discount, how much would the regular ticket from Zahony to Chop cost?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on January 16, 2012, 04:47:16 pm
If the reservations are only avaliable 60 days in advance
Well, for domestic routes RZD sells tickets only 45 days in advance, thus it's reasonable to think that reservations can be bought as well only 45 days in advance. That is just a difference between East-West tariff timing and RZD domestic.
But don't they have access to EPA in Croatia? Or maybe any agency having DB terminal or something? Since anyway East-West reservations for domestic Russian travel not necessarily need to be bought in Slovakia or Russia. Actual fare will be the same no matter whether you purchase it in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia etc. (it also funny that in Russia itself they will be more expensive comparing to the above places, since there you need to add VAT, if it's still the case)
how much would the regular ticket from Zahony to Chop cost?
One-way purchased in Hungary will cost you around 2 EUR (or a bit more in case you purchase it outside of MAV/UZ)

The timetable to Moscow is very reasonable
Just want to remind you that East-West reservations for RZD carriages in cases of UZ-RZD routes are really expensive (comparing to UZ carriages), so it's better to count on either MAV-RZD or ZSSK-RZD (and vice verso) or avoid "Tisza" with RZD carriages.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on January 22, 2012, 05:03:15 pm
Well, for domestic routes RZD sells tickets only 45 days in advance, thus it's reasonable to think that reservations can be bought as well only 45 days in advance. That is just a difference between East-West tariff timing and RZD domestic.
But don't they have access to EPA in Croatia? Or maybe any agency having DB terminal or something? Since anyway East-West reservations for domestic Russian travel not necessarily need to be bought in Slovakia or Russia. Actual fare will be the same no matter whether you purchase it in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia etc. (it also funny that in Russia itself they will be more expensive comparing to the above places, since there you need to add VAT, if it's still the case)

I sent a mail to a Croatian agency that says, on its website, it is connected to the DB system so I hope they will answer: "Yes, you can buy reservations in Croatia." Hold your fingers crossed!!

If not... Complicationsssss!!  :o



Just want to remind you that East-West reservations for RZD carriages in cases of UZ-RZD routes are really expensive (comparing to UZ carriages), so it's better to count on either MAV-RZD or ZSSK-RZD (and vice verso) or avoid "Tisza" with RZD carriages.

I'm not sure I understood you. Are you saying that I should buy reservations for any carriage except a Russian one? Or are you saying that I should buy the reservation for the train via Ukraine in Hungary or Slovakia, regardless of which carriage I end up in?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on January 23, 2012, 02:09:35 pm
I sent a mail to a Croatian agency that says, on its website, it is connected to the DB system...
Did you try just asking from regular HZ (international) ticket counter? As far as we remember, issuance of international reservations in Croatia is computerized, so why not to try.
Are you saying that I should buy reservations for any carriage except a Russian one? Or are you saying that I should buy the reservation for the train via Ukraine in Hungary or Slovakia, regardless of which carriage I end up in?
We saying that you either should buy ZSSK/MAV-Moscow direct reservation (even if you board 'Tisza' in Chop) or, in case you somehow end up in Chop without any reservation yet, buy reservations for UZ carriages (thus Chop-Kiev and then Kiev-Moscow, for the later leg it obviously won't be 'Tisza'). Definitely first option is cheaper and less hassle.
We just tried to warn about avoiding precisely Chop-Moscow reservation for 'Tisza' (with only RZD carriages on full route)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on February 29, 2012, 09:06:11 pm
Well, after more than a month I can say that the agency hasn't responded, and since I was sick a lot, I checked on the train station just today.

The clerk told me that they have that ability (sell reservations for russian trains) but that they have to know which train and date (obviously) and then they will try (doesn't sound to reassuring though).

I forgot to ask her, are the reservation prices the same in every country or not?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on March 01, 2012, 12:50:43 am
Well, after more than a month I can say that the agency hasn't responded
C'est la vie, no is no, will manage without them ;)
I forgot to ask her, are the reservation prices the same in every country or not?
Should be the same*, it's almost certainly access via EPA, for which RZD just submits standard table of fares (the same everywhere)

*actually might be even cheaper, because of VAT. It used to be included when purchase in Russia, but you don't pay it when buying same thing elsewhere, but maybe something changed with this VAT thing. Don't know about RZD, but UZ had some strange changes with it, they first canceled it, but then like added almost the same sum to the standard reservation fare  :-\
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on March 27, 2012, 01:33:36 am
Little off topic,

CityStar Serbia-Russia/Russia-Serbia isn't available anymore  :(
But there is still CityStar Russia-Montenegro (probably Montenegro-Russia too). CityStar Vladivostok-Podgorica via Ukraine, Romania and Serbia costs 232 EUR.

Small correction  :)

CityStar is available, but not for solo passanger, only from 2 till 5. Price is arround 35 000 RSD for 2 passengers from Beograd to Vladivostok via CFR and UZ.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on March 27, 2012, 01:00:54 pm
Price is arround 35 000 RSD for 2 passengers from Beograd to Vladivostok via CFR and UZ.
Actually not that bad in terms of price, it makes it just slightly over 200 EUR as base fare, which is already comparable to ZSSK-RZD, especially taking into consideration additional bonus in form of wondering around quite a few interesting destinations in Romania  ;D
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on April 08, 2012, 04:25:51 pm
Hmmm, quite weird things from ZSSK...

Today I sent e-mail to them requiring about City Star on route Šturovo - Tumangan(Gr) and they gave me the price of 268,78 EUR via UZ, which is totally different then they told me earlier in December and also different from info I got from RZD side (both varied between 165-168 EUR) for RZD>1500 km.

I thought maybe somebody incompetent answered me and mistakenly gave me the price for one way east-west tariff ticket. So after that I asked for the price of City Star Šturovo - Ussuriisk for 2 persons, and they gave me the price of 295,92 EUR via UZ which also doesn't fit the previus...

At least one of those prices (if not both) they gave is wrong...
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on April 08, 2012, 06:39:36 pm
Today I sent e-mail to them requiring about City Star on route Šturovo - Tumangan(Gr) and they gave me the price of 268,78 EUR via UZ...
Good chances that this is exactly East-West tariff, at least price level looks really similar. It's even possible to guess where the mistake comes from, imho, from the issue regarding 'gr.', so if ZSSK official checked via computer (probably did), then it wouldn't show CityStar option for 'gr./fr.' points, but only East-West.

City Star Šturovo - Ussuriisk for 2 persons, and they gave me the price of 295,92 EUR via UZ which also doesn't fit the previus...
Doubt ZSSK raised price that suddenly (meaning from 165 to 197), especially considering that we know exactly fare for RZD >1500km-ZSSK 'ekonomnyi zeny' that was recently discussed on one russian forum and it's basically the same (169 EUR). Anyway, in this case it's even difficult to imagine how it's possible to end up with 295, unless it's something like incorrectly calculated percentage of discount for the additional passenger.
Well, we'll try also to email ZSSK and ask not about particular route, but generally about ZSSK-RZD>1500, let us what they will answer.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on April 08, 2012, 07:52:25 pm
It's even possible to guess where the mistake comes from, imho, from the issue regarding 'gr.', so if ZSSK official checked via computer (probably did), then it wouldn't show CityStar option for 'gr./fr.' points, but only East-West.

So, if I understood correctly City Star option for border points isn't available?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on April 08, 2012, 08:25:44 pm
...City Star option for border points isn't available?
It is available, but only with non-computerized tickets (unless ZSSK stopped issuing those). While with 'standard' ones, system just doesn't allow to choose any point after last real RZD station, at least it used to be like this.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on April 08, 2012, 09:04:51 pm
It is available, but only with non-computerized tickets (unless ZSSK stopped issuing those). While with 'standard' ones, system just doesn't allow to choose any point after last real RZD station, at least it used to be like this.

They issue only computerized tickets, at least they told me so one year ago.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on April 08, 2012, 10:52:17 pm
...at least they told me so one year ago.
Was it by email? Or you asked in person at the station/service center? Have no idea about current state of affairs, but if it was first, then it might just be 'automatic' answer (like "all our international tickets issued with a help of computer") from an official, who didn't bother/had knowledge about old style option. But if you got it from the station or, for instance, service center in Bratislava, then it's far more trustworthy source, imho.
But does it make that big of a difference in nowadays context? Anyway passenger won't be able to use East-West tariff CityStar along with cheap MPT reservation, so guess it's not that crucial whether it will be 'gr.' or last 'real' station.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on April 12, 2012, 12:51:51 am
I found answer why ZSSK gave me weird price for CityStar for two passengers. Obviously, on UZ part there is no discount for fellow travelers, which can be seen here:

(http://s019.radikal.ru/i638/1204/68/55caf4760fcb.jpg)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on April 12, 2012, 05:34:30 pm
Hmm... strange... It means that in December with UZ part everything was ok, meaning 85+85/2+85/2 etc., but then suddenly it was just 85+85+85 etc., thus resulting in 295,92 EUR for two passengers. Strange especially taking into consideration the fact that in new edition (06.01.2012) of UZ East-West there is specific note regarding CityStar with ZSSK: "у сполученні зі Словаччиною на відстань від 1 до 500 км у вагоні 2-го класу - 21 євро, у вагоні 1-го класу - 33,6 євро; на відстань понад 500 км у вагоні 2-го класу  -  42 євро, у вагоні 1-го класу - 67,2 євро. При цьому  перший  пасажир  повністю  сплачує вищезазначену вартість проїзду, інші дорослі пасажири сплачують половину цієї вартості." Obviously meant UZ-ZSSK, but still.

btw, also interesting that ZSSK part in the above reference is counted using regular tariff (basically a sum) instead of more expensive standard ZSSK part (which would have been applied in case 'Ekonomnye zeny' were issued for like Moscow-Bratislava or so).
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on April 12, 2012, 06:00:43 pm
btw, also interesting that ZSSK part in the above reference is counted using regular tariff (basically a sum) instead of more expensive standard ZSSK part (which would have been applied in case 'Ekonomnye zeny' were issued for like Moscow-Bratislava or so).

On RZD counters if "normal" price is cheaper than predefined price for City Star (Ekonomnaya cena) for any railway on the route of City Star ticket, "normal" price is calculated. In practice, it's only for stations located really close to border point. I don't know is that rule also valid for other railways issuing City Star tickets.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on April 12, 2012, 08:32:44 pm
...don't know is that rule also valid for other railways issuing City Star tickets.
At least for UZ yes: "Якщо вирахувана вартість за цими умовами [CityStar] є вищою від звичайного тарифу (вартості повного квитка), застосовується звичайний тариф"
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on April 13, 2012, 03:45:32 pm
Interesting also - on RZD counter you can buy City Star to Slovakia via Cadca(Gr), where the RZD, BC, PKP and ZSSK part is calculated as City Star, and gives 50% discount for fellow passenger. and CD part, which is calculated as normal price, without discount for fellow passenger.

By the way, from yesterday ASU PP (UZ) is connected to EPA, so it is now technically possible do electronicaly book UZ domestic and international trans.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on April 13, 2012, 11:30:43 pm
By the way, from yesterday ASU PP (UZ) is connected to EPA, so it is now technically possible do electronicaly book UZ domestic and international trans.
Definitely a good news, so let's hope that in real life everything with 'schnittstelle' will be as smooth as in theory  ;)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on June 02, 2012, 01:45:40 pm
So, on wednesday evening I'm going to Bratislava (night train to Zagreb, morning train to Vienna) to buy my CityStar ticket :) Regarding buying reservations, are they connected to a ticket or can I buy them separately i.e. I come to a croatian counter to buy a sleeper reservation from Chop->Moscow but without having the CityStar ticket itself. Is this possible? Or are the reservations for a train only issued for a specific ticket?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on June 02, 2012, 08:06:27 pm
Regarding buying reservations, are they connected to a ticket or can I buy them separately
When you buy your reservation in Croatia or Austria or Slovakia etc., you won't be asked to show your ticket (or CityStar), since in all alike countries it's not necessary. But if you buy same sleeper reservation in Ukraine or Russia, then ticket cashier will definitely ask for a ticket, there you can't buy reservations without ticket or at least presentation of such (if bought before).
I come to a croatian counter to buy a sleeper reservation from Chop->Moscow but without having the CityStar ticket itself. Is this possible?
As said above, in theory it's 100% possible, in practice never tried to do it Croatia, but don't think you will have any problems. Anyway, let us know how it goes
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: john_st on June 26, 2012, 07:14:25 pm
I am having huge problems. The clerk was able to make reservations: Chop-Moscow and Vladivostok-Irkutsk, but the main reservation is creating a problem. The reservation system says that the Moscow-Vladivostok train doesn't exist even though the clerk checked Hafas (right in front of me) and there the train exists. Later I checked Poezda and the train exists.

The train is 2MJ Rossija from Moscow Iar. to Vladivostok departing Aug 1st at 23:45.

She tried all sorts of combinations 2, 02, 002, 0002, 00002 but it didn't work. She can't input letters in the train number. This is a big deal for me because now I have to either shorten my stay in St. Petersburg by one day and spend an extra day in Vladivostok (train 240 on Aug 1st) or loose 2 days (train 918 on Jul 30th).

Can anyone check what the hell is going on? If Hafas sees the train and Poezda sees it too, why doesn't the Croatian system see it? What am I doing wrong?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: kimskifromgermany on June 27, 2012, 08:15:20 am
 ;D

Hello tut,
Hello rasha-
Hello to all the others:


here is a short update:
I bought tickets online with the bookinkg.uz.gov.ua from Uzhgorod - Kiev (168,82 Hrywna)  Kiev- Moscow (473,82 Hrywna) Thats  for 2 Persons about 134 euro.

Yesterday I tried to make reaservations at the cologne main station.
Sleeper in T4 from Moscow to Kazan in Train # 050M was 84 euros (2 Persons).

Then the clerk told me that he is unable to make reservation for the train with the numbers 307C and 340/350 Ч
He said, that there is no need for making reservation for such a train. Is he right?


My route is finally planned:
Viienna - Bratislava py bus.
Bratislava- Michalovce R615 23:40- 07:09 Buying on board
Going to Chop by Bus/Taxi
Chop - Kiev 082 Л    allready booked with bookinkg.uz.gov.ua
Kiev- Moskow 022K  allready booked with bookinkg.uz.gov.ua
Moskow - Kazan  050M Reservation 84 Euro

Kazan - Yekaterinburg (no reservation needed?)
Yekaterinburg - Ishim ( no reservation needed?)
Ishim - Vladivostok 240 Э (reservation on the 29.06)
and back Vladivostok - Nizny Nowgorod with the Rossija (reservation end of next week)


What is cheaper: Buying city star ticket in Michalovce > 1500 km for two or is there the possibility to buy the tickets at the counter in Russia?

many thanks
Kimski


Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on June 29, 2012, 11:50:19 am
Then the clerk told me that he is unable to make reservation for the train with the numbers 307C and 340/350 Ч. He said, that there is no need for making reservation for such a train. Is he right?
Well, that is a mistake. Reservation is necessary for all the Russian long-distance sleeper trains (which 307 and 350 are). Maybe the clerk had some troubles with letter indexes used for those trains? It is usually the case with Russian (and other exUSSR countries) trains, since if you get the index wrong it won't show up. For instance in hafas train #307 Kislovodsk-Ekaterinburg Pass. is shown as 307SJ, #350 is 350CH etc.
Going to Chop by Bus/Taxi
Bus from Michalovce goes only till Uzghorod, taxi will also probably go via Uzghorod. To cross the border directly to Chop is possible only twice a day with Cierna-Chop train
What is cheaper: Buying city star ticket in Michalovce > 1500 km for two or is there the possibility to buy the tickets at the counter in Russia?
RZD won't sell you in Russia East-West tickets for domestic routes (they only sell East-West reservations), so it's either CityStar or you just buy regular East-West tariff tickets (what can be done even in Germany), the later will be obviously more expensive since you travel there and back and there is 2 passengers traveling.
Title: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket and the MPT tickets in Russia
Post by: anagar17 on July 09, 2012, 08:16:43 pm
HI,

I am trying to buy a ticket from Moscow to Ulan Bator with several stops on the way: Nishny Novgorod, Omsk, Novosibirsk (or Krasnoyark) and Irkutsk.
In principle I wanted to buy the City Star ticket and just use the Russian part plus buy a ticket from the Russian border to UlanBator, but they just told me 1. It is too late to order the ticket (I am not in Slovakia and they were going to ship it to Germany, but I am leaving on Saturday 14th) and 2. It is cheaper to buy a MPT ticket anyway and add all the reservations for the stopovers.
Now, in order to get this done asap (many trains are already booked up) I was asking for quotes for a MPT ticket to different train agencies, but they all seem to just send me the quotes for the individual domestic tickets for each segment (plus their comission, of course). If that is all, I can buy the domestic tickets online myself on the russian website.

But, I would be really grateful if someone could tell me:
1. If the price for the MPT ticket would be considerably less. If that is so, I could try to buy it myself once I am there (does anyone know how complicated this can be?), but in order to avoid not having any ticket left (although I am actually flexible on dates), maybe it is better 2 (below)
2. Does anyone know some agency that would issue the MPT ticket and the reservations? I could pick up the ticket next Monday in Moscow.

Currently, the qoutes for the itinerary above that I am getting are around 650 eur, which seems pretty high to me.

Thanks a lot!!!
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: PeterSz on November 22, 2012, 05:01:56 pm
Is it true, that the Slovakia-Russia City-Star ticket will cease to exist in 2013?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 23, 2012, 01:55:06 am
Is it true, that the Slovakia-Russia City-Star ticket will cease to exist in 2013?
Well, there are rumors (=non-official level, but rather trusted source) about "cease to exist" coming from the Russian side, while on the contrary ZSSK in a more or less official reply says that CityStar will still be available in 2013. Apparently somebody is wrong, but it is a bit difficult to say now which side  :-\
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on November 28, 2012, 11:10:05 pm
Is it true, that the Slovakia-Russia City-Star ticket will cease to exist in 2013?
Well, there are rumors (=non-official level, but rather trusted source) about "cease to exist" coming from the Russian side, while on the contrary ZSSK in a more or less official reply says that CityStar will still be available in 2013. Apparently somebody is wrong, but it is a bit difficult to say now which side  :-\

It's not the first time ZSSK gives the wrong information. I have experience getting totally different answers on last day of old timetable, and first day of new timetable. According to other sources the will be no City-Star RZD-ZSSK via UZ (via BC/PKP unknown), no RZD-ZS and no RZD-ZCG. RZD-BDZ is unknown.

UZ East-west tariff for 2012/2013 is published: http://zakon1.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z1834-12 (http://zakon1.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z1834-12)

Also RZD reservation list for 2012/2013 is published: http://www.uic.org/IMG/pdf/information_rzd_2012-2013_stand_09_12_12_.pdf (http://www.uic.org/IMG/pdf/information_rzd_2012-2013_stand_09_12_12_.pdf)

Interesting is that all Sapsans, and lot of other domestic RZD trains become Global price (including 1/2 "Rossiya" Moskva - Vladivostok, 9/10 "Baikal" Sankt Peterburg - Irkutsk, 7/8 Novosibirsk - Vladivostok, 1/2 "Premium" Moskva - Kazan, 15/16 "Premium" Moskva - Yekaterinburg, and others). It will be interesting to see prices in western Europe for them, although I suspect they will be expensive...
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 29, 2012, 12:23:03 pm
It's not the first time ZSSK gives the wrong information. I have experience getting totally different answers on last day of old timetable, and first day of new timetable
It might be that we just need to wait another 10 days to find out definitely  :-\
UZ East-west tariff for 2012/2013 is published
Hmm, quite essential rise (as for the UZ), both CityStar leg and regular tariff. Also presence of CityStar у сполученні зі Словаччиною might not be the proof that UZ-ZSSK/ZSSK-UZ CityStars survive, since judging from the other info in this (and old published docs) people from UZ insert everything they can there (like Тересва - Сігет, Хирів - Ясло), kind of just in case thing.
Btw, kind of strange to see widened category of trains with seating accommodation (table V on page 3), especially Вартість плацкарти для поїздів, що курсують у прикордонному сполученні and Вартість плацкарти на швидкісні поїзди Інтерсіті+ (ІС+). With IC it's way long shot, doubt they will cross western border any time soon (plus if we remember correctly UZ in a new categorization had a separate EC category), but with short cross-border trains (like Chop-Zahony) it seems like passengers might experience paying for reservation already any time soon (at least if to believe the new tariff)
Interesting is that all Sapsans, and lot of other domestic RZD trains become Global price
Doesn't sound like a good news, RZD already for a while had intentions to introduce as much as possible globalpreise on international routes (Italy, France, Finland, Germany), but application to domestic trains  :-\
Though it might be not about reservation getting even more expensive, maybe it's a sort of simplification for foreigners, meaning that RZD will just make a unified globalpreise grids for every train, so that any ticket cashier (somewhere in Berlin, Zurich etc.) won't need to deal with separate ticket and looking for reservation, at least list of trains suggests that RZD introducing globalpreise on most popular trains among foreign tourists (maybe with exception of something like 087NJ/088NJ Novosibirsk-Omsk =)
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on November 30, 2012, 02:34:29 pm
Hm..

Tried today at ŽS agency to see the global price for Sapsan Moskva - Sankt Peterburg, and for "Rossiya" Moskva - Vladivostok, for 13th December, but it gives reservation only for the same prices as before. Maybe selling of global prices will be implemented from 9th December.   ???
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on December 09, 2012, 10:59:50 am
My question to Kontaktne centrum ŽSSK:

Quote
Dear,

please tell me the prices for return City Star tickets for 1 person
and 2 persons from Bratislava to:

-Lvov
-Kiev
-Moskva (via UZ and via PKP/BC)
-Minsk (via UZ and via PKP/BC)
-Vladivostok (via UZ and via PKP/BC)

Answer:

Quote
Price of the return ticket Bratislava – Lvov – Bratislava is 86,16 € for an adult.

Price of the City Star ticket Bratislava – Lvov – Bratislava  is 94,80 € for 2 passengers.

It is necessary to buy also a bed to the direct sleeping car. The price of the one bed is 12 € for one person and one way.

 

Price of the return ticket Bratislava – Moskva – Bratislava is 129,36 € for an adult. (they probably thought Kiev)

Price of the City Star ticket Bratislava – Lvov – Bratislava  is 132,60 € for 2 passengers. (they probably thought Kiev)

The price of the one bed is 20 € for one person and one way.

 

Price of the City Star ticket Bratislava – Moskva – Bratislava via UZ is 98,40 for an adult and 147,60 € for 2 passengers.

The price of the one bed is 29 € for one person and one way.

 

Price of the City Star ticket Bratislava – Minsk – Bratislava via UZ is 184,80 for an adult and 320,60 € for 2 passengers.

 

Price of the City Star ticket Bratislava – Vladivostok – Bratislava via UZ is 134,40 for an adult and 201,60 € for 2 passengers.

The price of the one bed Bratislava – Moskva is 29 € for one person and one way.

The price of the one bed Moskva - Vladivostok is about 231 € for one person and one way.

 

The CityStar ticket to RZD and BC via PKP/BC have cannot be purchased since 9.12.2012.
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on December 10, 2012, 12:31:00 pm
Rasha, thanks for the information, it is very helpful. Apparently rumors turned to be half true  ;D
ZSSK answer also seems to indirectly point that East-West reservations for RZD domestic connections stay the same price
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on January 02, 2013, 12:40:23 pm
So, definitely..

Only Citystar ZSSK-UZ-RŽD remains. All other Citystars to and from Russia (Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria) are gone.

P.S. Some examples of global prices introduced:

Sapsan Moskva - St. Peterburg arround 86 EUR (2nd class)
Rossiya Moskva - Vladivostok 638 EUR (T4)  :o
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on January 02, 2013, 07:03:29 pm
Rossiya Moskva - Vladivostok 638 EUR (T4)  :o
Crazy russians... no other words )))
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: PeterSz on November 15, 2013, 11:54:41 pm
Hello,

I just read the news on this website that from 2013/14 SCIC-EWT tickets will be valid for only 15 days!!!

Does this effect the validity period of the City-Star?
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: tUt on November 18, 2013, 12:38:42 am
Does this effect the validity period of the City-Star?
For the definite answer we'll have to wait until December, but our guess - probably yes. Doubt RZD will make any exceptions  :(
Title: Re: Questions about the Slovakian CityStar ticket to Russia
Post by: rasha on February 15, 2014, 09:26:33 pm
All SCIC-EWT tickets are now valid 15 days, except City Star Slovakia-Russia and Russia-Slovakia which are valid for one month. SCIC-SET tickets are valid 15 days in one direction and one return tickets one month. SCIC-SET return tickets bought in Turkey are valid 15 days.