Taking a Train from Moscow City to Yaroslavky

walking to the wagon

We chose deliberately in the winter to travel from Moscow to Yaroslavsky. In my defense, we kinda had to use the holiday a little bit. If we're waiting for the good weather, it probably not gonna happen for 3 months and then nothing again. So this trip was taken on February 2026.

So we've decided to take a few days off going from Moscow to half of the golden ring. The name ring, means literally ring. Refers to a few cities that used to be very important in the past. Starting from Moscow city (where which we're coming from, technically). I have to mention the cities here anyway; Sergiyev Posad, Pereslavl Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Vladimir, and Suzdal.

there will be info about the train 

We took the train trip from Moscow. I would say it's the "normal type" of train. So we sat next to each other. Two seaters next to each other. I think my husband took the non-economy one. He booked the train from the app, tutu. There, you will know which seat you are assigned to (the one that you choose obviously) and also which wagon, as well as which track you should go from. 

The ticket cost somewhere around $20 for the cheapest one. For more information, do search website here.

It's a very different type of train than the one we took to Sergiyev Posad. That was very slow and economy type of train. 

pile of snow everywhere

We took them from the train station Yaroslavky vokzal. Worry not, there are 3 different stations next to each other, you just have to know which one to go from because... they're going to very different destinations. If you don't read/speak Russian, well... make sure you read my post here lol. No no, I don't speak Russian, I can only read a bit. Understand it? That's another case. 

By the way, this station is just next door from Komsomolskaya.

Go from the one I circled red

Once we get to the wagon, pull your passport and ticket. The staff who stand by the door will scan your ticket and check your passport. Very basic, very normal. Then you go find your seat and just sit. 

I'd say this train is very comfortable. It made me feel like the trains in Indonesia. They will ask if you want some snackies or drinks. Obviously you need to pay for this. They have this cup holder which is very very cute and I want it as souvenirs, and they sell it by the way, just little bit expensive for my taste lol. But it's cute, that's for sure. 

Mind you there is no random seller getting in and out the train, unlike the one to Sergiyev Posad that we took. So it's very comfortable. 

We did not go around the golden ring in one go. We went first to Rostovsky Distict and stay a night there (not Rostov in the south), then the next day we went to Yaroslavl. This train can and will take you right away to Yaroslavl but we stopped just (maybe) 40 mins away before Yaroslavl. Take a look at the map from Moscow to Yaroslavl here. Rostovsky is already in Yaroslavl oblast so basically we can get off wherever. Oh and yes the trip took us like 5 hours. Long huh?!

that's the cup holder I am talking about

pretty wide for legroom and you have stop contact everywhere

cute framing of course

The next day, we took another train. This time we took the economy one, with opened 4 sleepers seats. You can choose your assigned seat when booking. Remember to know which one is the lowest part and higher part of sleeper seats. 

It took us only 40 mins to get to Yaroslavl with that train. I was fascinated by it because it was my first time. This is also the kind of train that we took on our trip back to Moscow. But on the trip back we took the 2nd class instead of economy. That way we have a door that we can close. 

 

sleeper coupe

The toilet is very very clean. That's one thing about Russia, they maintain their toilet better than most places I've been even when it's just a "public" toilet.

I'd say it's a very comfortable sleeper train. It took us only 40 mins for the first time. Pretty slow but relatively quick trip. On our 5 hours trip back to Moscow, I finished about 200 pages of Dragon Republic. The train that we took was the one coming from Murmansk. Imagine how many moons you have to spent for a trip from Murmansk to Moscow with slow train like that. 

They stopped in Yaroslavl for 10-15 mins only. So you have to be ready for that, otherwise they'll leave you. 

it's so funky knowing that they use this old school announcement screen

checking might take long longer

Unfortunately the one we took had no cafeteria, only snacking station that we can buy from. I was HANGRY. Luckily the book was keeping me from getting angry even though I am hungry. 

this one definitely looks better than the economy class. look at the difference.

 

Snack station that only has limited items

Did we enjoy our winter trip? Well the visits were awesome, we just didn't think of that walking and being outside the building during -16 to -20 even with thick winter clothes on was really worth it. Most of the time it's hard to take out the phone to take camera because gloves must be off, or we just need to be inside to get warm for a bit inside a cafe or something that cost a little bit, but if you do it more than twice a day then the fees added up very quickly. I mean... we can't just stay inside without buying anything, can we?

frozen lake walking

So if you're on a hunt for winter photos (which most of them are very amazing to see) then yes you would enjoy this. 

I'd say it's worth it. We might not be doing this again so I am glad we did it.