How to travel to Europe from different regions of Russia by train now?

Russia's railway communication with European countries before the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine was quite lively. Having common borders with the Baltic states, Scandinavia, and keeping the borders of Belarus under its full control, the Russian railway could offer a fairly extensive list of international trains. These were branded trains that ran under separate names. Characteristically, it was impossible to buy a ticket for most branded trains via the Internet. Electronic tickets were available to passengers who were departing for Helsinki, Tallinn, Prague or Paris or Karlovy Vary. The cheapest way was to get to Estonia (Tallinn) and Finland (Helsinki). These train routes were operated regularly, and the duration of the trip was about 15 hours. It was possible to get to the Baltic countries by train:

• Baltic Express, route Moscow — St. Petersburg — Tallinn. In 15 hours , the train covered a distance of 964 km . Previously, this route was served by Estonians (GoRail company), but they left the Russian rail transportation market;
• Latvijas Expressplied between Moscow and Riga. The train consisted of cars of 1 and 2 classes, with seats. During the movement on the territory of Latvia, passengers could use free Wi-Fi;
• Train N079/080. A night train running between St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. Crossing the territory of Belarus, the train made an additional stop in Vilnius. The train consisted of second and third class carriages. The high-speed branded train, which regularly plied between Moscow and Kaliningrad, consisted of first, second and third class cars. For this train, part of the way passing through the territory of Belarus, a ticket could only be bought in person, at the ticket offices of the station;
• Allegro. The train running between Helsinki and St. Petersburg provided a direct connection between Finland and Russia. The train consisted of cars of different classes, respectively, and ticket prices were from 120 to 150 €. Most of the trains to Central and Western Europe passed through Belarus (Minsk), and were on the way for 8-10 hours. 

As usual, international trains departed from the platforms of Moscow and St. Petersburg. When the coronavirus pandemic began, restrictions on crossing borders with the EU significantly reduced the passenger traffic of Russian citizens. Since the beginning of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and the adoption of international sanctions packages, the number of people traveling from Russia to Europe has almost stopped altogether, and then international trains stopped running because it was impractical.

Since the autumn of 2022, Russian citizens have been banned from entering Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland and the Czech Republic through the external borders of the Schengen countries. Until recently, the Allegro train, owned by the state railway company VR (Finland), served its own direction of passenger transportation. Fulfilling the points of the sanctions restrictions, the Finnish authorities have stopped air communication between themselves and Russia since the first days of the armed aggression against Ukraine. Entry of Russians to Finland is allowed only for transit passengers, if they prove that they will continue further travel to countries outside the Schengen area (the United Arab Emirates, for example). The Allegro train remained the only regular railway route that provided transportation between Europe and the Russian Federation. In the end, this route was also closed.

As the Minister of Corporate Governance, Mr. Titti Tuppurainen, noted in his interview with Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, the Allegro train ran until all Finns living in Russia made a final decision to leave. So, the international isolation of Russia has begun to give its results.

Other ways of railway communication by which you can get to Europe

Russians began to frantically look for ways to travel to Europe, given the total reduction of railway routes. Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands have never had direct rail links with Russia, so the options for crossing the border by rail were not considered at all. In addition to the Baltic states, it has become generally problematic for Russians to get to Southeastern Europe by train. The route through the territory of Ukraine is not available at all, entry into our state is possible only if there are foreign passports, and in addition, male passengers may be denied passage.

Flight Moscow — Chisinau was also canceled, so there was an option of penetration into Europe through Transnistria. The border between Moldova and Tiraspol is quite conditional, and it is not very difficult to get to Chisinau. Since the European sanctions do not apply to Moldova, the further path to Europe is open. Traveling by rail to Sofia (Bulgaria) or Belgrade (Serbia) has become unreasonably expensive — from 235€. This is also due to the detour of Ukraine, which increased the travel time to more than two days. 

Another way to get to Europe by rail is to travel to Baku (Azerbaijan). A non-sanctioned country has a connection with Europe, and you can get to Baku by train departing from the platform of the Kursk railway station. Prices for the trip range from 7 to 17 thousand rubles, but if you arrange a group trip (from 6 adults), you can get a 40% discount on tickets.

A fairly simple way is to travel to Europe via Georgia and Abkhazia. The railway connection between Russia and Georgia works regularly, but the "partial mobilization", which was started by the Russian government after hundreds of thousands of human losses in the fields of Ukraine, prevented it. Going by train to Tbilisi, a male Russian has a real chance to get into a war zone instead of Europe. The border guards and the FSB carefully "filter" the passengers of the cars, and mobilize everyone who is old enough to be drafted into the army.

The movement of trains from has not changedMoscow to Budapest (Hungary), and Bratislava (Slovakia). The trip lasts a little more than a day, and a ticket to the participating cars costs 180-190€. There is also a two-day transfer to Bar (Montenegro), where non-stop carriages run. However, the price for such a trip is somewhat "biting" - 360€. And the high fare does not guarantee travelers arrival at the final destination station. Trains run through the territories of Belarus, Poland, Serbia and Slovakia, and the fact that these countries (except the first one!) transit travel will not be banned, there are no guarantees. There is a similar problem with trains running between Moscow and Berlin, Paris, Nice and other cities in Central and Northern Europe. After all, the railway route passes through the territory of Poland, and for Russians this is a huge problem. Trying to get into the EU in any way, smart Russians began to use all possible options. 

For example, since Norway has not yet imposed any restrictions on Russians crossing its border, it is not difficult to cross a land checkpoint at the border. There is only one checkpoint on the border of Russia and Norway - "Sturskug". It is located in the Murmansk region, and has the name "Borisoglebsk". Crossing the border, you can get to the nearest airport Kirkenes (KKN), and fly to Oslo, and there the possibilities are unlimited. Especially for Russians there is a website for the purchase of air tickets with payment by Russian cards. 

Another way to get to Europe is to take the train Moscow — Kaliningrad. The main obstacle is the Lithuanian border guard, whom anyone wishing to get to Europe must convince of the expediency of his stay in Lithuania. A transit train from the mainland of Russia to Kaliningrad makes technical stops on the territory of a small European country, and it is not so difficult to leave the train to continue its separate journey to the EU. A stop in Vilnius has been banned, so it is advisable to get off at the border station and continue your journey by train to the capital of Lithuania. 

The Moscow — Yerevan train will deliver passengers to Armenia on time, and from there you can fly to Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany or Belgium. However, there is a problem, the same as when crossing the Russian-Georgian border - total "cleansing" of all men of military age.

Options for penetration into Europe through Tashkent are being tested, railway communication has not yet been interrupted. From Tashkent, you can fly to London, Frankfurt or Milan.But legal, direct entry of Russian citizens into the EU is still possible. Despite the fact that Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and the Czech Republic have stopped accepting visa applications, Germany, France, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden continue to issue Schengen visas to Russian citizens.

Important! The beginning of the military invasion of Ukraine has led to stricter requirements for Russian citizens who cross the EU border. If earlier it was enough to present only a passport (without a cover), with a visa, then today additional requirements are possible. This may be a medical insurance policy (with insurance coverage from 30,000€), valid in all Schengen countries. The border guard has the right to get acquainted with the accommodation booking document, as well as to require confirmation of the financial viability of the person entering the EU.

As a rule, each country has its own daily financial limit of residence, but border guards in practice ask for a large amount. It should not be forgotten that Russian Visa and MasterCard cards connected to the Mir system are no longer serviced in Europe, as are Russian UnionPay cards. The war launched by Russia against Ukraine has caused just indignation of the whole world. The sanctions imposed on the aggressor country primarily affect the lives of ordinary citizens of Russia. Difficulties with food, accommodation and ordinary relocation at will encourage Russians to expel the criminal authorities from the country in the future.