Sally Blyth travels from Moscow to St Petersburg on the Sapsan High-Speed Train
The train: A German-produced high-speed train run by Russian Railways, in operation since December 2009. "Sapsan" in Russian means peregrine falcon, supposedly the
fastest animal on earth, hence the train's symbol of a red bird.
With an average travelling speed of 210-250km/h, it can get up to a maximum of 350km/h and can operate in temperatures as low as -50C.
The train has 10 coaches in various classes — seven Economy, one Business, one First Class and one Dining car. There are also private Conference Cabins to cater for business meetings en route. There's an Economy Class+ option, akin to Premium Economy.
Station experience: Departs 14 times daily from Leningradsky Station in Moscow, arriving at Moscovsky Station in St Petersburg between 3½ and 4 hours later, depending on departure time (faster at off-peak times). Both stations are identical; designed by renowned architect Konstantin Thom in Italian Renaissance style, they are quite something. Atmospheric, bustling and busy, even very early in the morning, but not chaotic. Boarding and baggage loading (it travels in the same coach with us) was mostly streamlined, with a little bit of frenzy added in.
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Class: Business Class. We were a group of 17 Kiwis (I'm a tour leader) in Coach #2. It can carry 52 passengers and was full. Wide leather seats are 2x2 with armrests, footrests, reading lights, power points, folding tables and extra legroom. In the centre of the coach there are two sets of four seats set around tables, which is where I sat. Very comfortable, without being luxurious. Free Wi-Fi in this class. Russian newspapers are available and a hot meal is served. There's a bathroom in the coach and access to the Business Lounges at the stations is included.