Russian Railways introduces train on new Moscow – Berlin – Paris route
The first train will depart Moscow on 12 December, 2011. The international train route, №23/24, will connect Moscow with Berlin and Paris, traversing the territory of five countries: Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany and France. It will run through the cities of Vyazma, Smolensk, Krasno, Orsha, Minsk, Brest, Terespol, Warsaw, Poznan, Rzepin, Oderberg, Frankfurt-am-Oder, Berlin, Hannover, Fulda, Frankfurt-am-Main, Saarbrücken, Forbach and Metz-Ville.
The Moscow – Berlin – Paris route is the second longest Russian-operated trans-European route (after Moscow – Nice). The route is 3,177 km long, and the train attains a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
Schedule of train № 23/24 Moscow – Berlin – Paris
In the winter period, the train will run three times per week and in the summer period it will run five times per week. Passengers will spend a total of one night on the train.
Moscow – Berlin – Paris route:
From 12 December, 2011 until 24 March, 2012 and from 28 October 2012 until 6 December 2012, the train will depart Moscow on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 8:50 AM, and arrive in Paris at 8:31 PM on the following day. Total travel time: 38 hours, 40 minutes.
From 25 March, 2012 until 27 October, 2012 – the train will run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It will depart Moscow at 8:00 AM and arrive in Paris at 8:31 PM the following day. Total travel time: 38 hours, 31 minutes.
Paris – Berlin – Moscow route:
From 14 December, 2011until 23 March, 2012 and from 27 October, 2012 until 8 December, 2012, the train will depart Paris on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:28 AM and arrive in Moscow at 1:30 AM. Total travel time: 38 hours, 2 minutes.
From 24 March, 2012 until 26 October, 2012, the train will depart Paris on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8:28 AM and arrive in Moscow at 11:58 PM. Total travel time: 37 hours, 30 minutes.
Service aboard the train
Conductors on the Moscow – Berlin – Paris train are subject to a careful selection process. Candidates must have a higher education and a basic knowledge of foreign languages.
The employees will have completed a special training program in psychology, ethics, and the culture of passenger service. They also receive training in several foreign languages: German, English and French. Additionally, members of the train’s crew have been instructed on safety regulations in France.
Train carriages
The train consists of several different carriage classes: Deluxe, First Class, and Second Class. It also features a restaurant car.
Deluxe. Every deluxe compartment is equipped with an individual bathroom with a shower cabin, as well as a chair and a television. The sleeping berths are arranged vertically; the lower berth may be folded out into a double bed. The carriage is equipped with a bar and lounge.
First Class. These carriages contain 10 two-person compartments. Each is equipped with a reclining chair and a sink.
Second Class. These carriages contain 11 three-person compartments. Each is equipped with a reclining chair and a sink.
Restaurant Carriage. The passengers may enjoy a wide choice of hot meals, snacks salads, desserts and drinks. On the Moscow – Brest and Brest – Moscow leg of the route, the restaurant is run by the Moscow branch of FPK; their staff has experience providing service aboard premium class trains. The menu is available in Russian and English, and includes Russian and European cuisine.
On the Warsaw-Paris and Paris-Warsaw leg of the journey, the dining car is run by RIC. The staff of the dining car can speak Polish and English. The menu is in Russian and English and offers European cuisine. Passengers travelling aboard deluxe carriages are served a daily complimentary breakfast.
Fares aboard train №23/24 Moscow – Berlin – Paris
Tickets for travel aboard the train are now available. The route offers special rates to children, groups of adult passengers, groups of children, families, seniors and young people.
Moscow – Paris route:
Rates | Cost, euros | ||
Deluxe (business) | 1st class | 2nd class | |
Adult | 1050 | 460 | 330 |
Adult Single (Single compartment, single occupancy. Two children under age 12 may travel for free with an adult in deluxe carriages) | 1200 | 515 | – |
Adult Couple (for two passengers) – 30% (one compartment, double occupancy) | 735 | – | – |
Child – 50% (for children under 12) | 525 | 230 | 165 |
Senior Citizen (Pensioner) – 30% (for passengers who are older than 60) | 735 | 322 | 231 |
Junior Adult – 30% (for passengers between 12 and 26 years of age) | 735 | 322 | 231 |
Senior-Single Adult – 30% (for passengers who are ovеr 60. One compartment, single occupancy) | 840 | 360.5 | – |
Junior-Single – 30% (for passengers between 12 and 26 years of age. One compartment, single occupancy) | 840 | 360.5 | – |
Group – 20% (groups of six or more adult passengers) | 840 | 368 | 264 |
Child Group – 50%-20% (for groups of children – group and child discounts apply) | 420 | 184 | 132 |
Moscow – Berlin route:
Rates | Price, euros | ||
Deluxe (business) | 1st class | 2nd class | |
Adult | 566 | 244 | 177 |
Adult Single (Single compartment, single occupancy. Two children under age 12 may travel for free with an adult in deluxe carriages) | 716 | 299 | – |
Adult Couple (for two passengers) – 30% (one compartment, double occupancy) | 396.2 | – | – |
Child – 50% (for children under 12) | 283 | 122 | 88,5 |
Senior Citizen (Pensioner) – 30% (for passengers who are older than 60) | 396.2 | 170.8 | 123.9 |
Junior Adult – 30% (for passengers between 12 and 26 years of age) | 396.2 | 170.8 | 123.9 |
Senior-Single Adult – 30% (for passengers who are ovеr 60. One compartment, single occupancy) | 501.2 | 209.3 | – |
Junior-Single – 30% (for passengers between 12 and 26 years of age. One compartment, single occupancy) | 501.2 | 209.3 | – |
Group – 20% (groups of six or more adult passengers) | 452.8 | 195.2 | 141.6 |
Child Group – 50%-20% (for groups of children – group and child discounts apply) | 226.4 | 97.6 | 70.8 |