Average speed
210 km/h

Daily departures
12 - 14

Shortest travel time
3 h 30 min

Available coach classes
6 seat classes

Sapsan Story

Sapsan is a branded train made by Siemens in Germany. ​It is the first high-speed train of Russian Railways which has been used on the Moscow - St. Petersburg route since December, 2009.
​Before Sapsan, the fastest train option between the two capitals took about 5 and a half hours. Other trains running between Moscow and St. Petersburg are regular overnight trains that take approximately 9 hours.

The name "Sapsan" in Russian actually means peregrine falcon. The train got its name for the same high-speed characteristics as this raptor bird which is considered to be the fastest animal on the planet. That is why the symbol of the train is a red bird.

Sapsan Speed

​The high-speed Sapsan train travels at a speed of about 240-250 km/h (149-155 mph) but can reach a maximum speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). Moreover, it was specially designed to run in Russian weather conditions and can even work in -50°C (-58°F). 
​The standard train length of a 10-coach Sapsan is 250 m (820 ft).

Inside the Sapsan Train

The Sapsan train meets all safety standards and is made of quality, fireproof, impact resistant materials and nonshatterable glass.
​Sapsans are very modern, comfortable, and soundproof. The design is very well-thought-out with wide aisles and enough space reserved for each traveler.
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​On the train there is sitting accommodation only. All coaches are equipped with toilet facilities (13 per train) and there are large panoramic windows, made of isolated multilayered glass, with sun blinds.

Each coach has air-conditioning and heating as well as ample areas for luggage storage and coat hangers. 

​Plus there are all amenities for physically challenged passengers, including an accessible toilet and a designated area onboard the coach for wheelchairs.

All necessary travel information is displayed on screens in each car. Announcements about upcoming stops are both in Russian and in English. Also smoking is completely prohibited onboard.

For the convenience of those traveling with children, onboard there is a special children's zone in car #10. What is more, passengers are allowed to travel with pets in car #8.

​For safety reasons there is video-monitoring of each coach and a security guard present on every train. ​Also smoking is completely prohibited onboard.

Sapsan Service

Sapsan trains also provide the services of booking a hotel, taxi, city tour, car rent or buying train or airplane tickets right as you go. To do so, head down to coach #6 and a train employee will assist you.

Entertainment & Food

To while away travel time pleasantly there are audio and video modules for headphones in each seat.

​Depending on the travel class, there are either 4 TV sets per coach to individual TVs in each seat and different films are shown throughout the way, and you can listen to the radio. Free newspapers are also offered.

​Snacks and drinks can be bought onboard from special carts. The dining car has a bistro where you can order a cold or hot meal too. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase as well. Also it is not prohibited to bring your own snacks and drinks onboard the train if you wish to do so. 

Sapsan WiFi

​WiFi is also available onboard Sapsan trains, for some classes it's free, for others it's for extra charge.