This is a train travel report from Adrian Fako, a Romanian mountain climber who was last year in the Caucasus area, to climb the Europe’s highest peak, Elbrus (18,510 feet). Adrian & co. used the train to get there, from Bucharest (Romania) till Mineralnye Vody (Russia). Let’s find out how is to travel by train in Russia!
“Getting the cheapest tickets meant traveling by train at 3rd class. This is common known as Platzkart, and is a 56 places-sleeping-wagon, without doors. Many complain about it, but it is actually lots of fun, you get to know a lot of people, you have more space, and with ear noise protection, you can sleep very well.
We had beds in separate “compartments” as the train was full. Luckily, we hadn’t had to change trains in the middle of the night. For 23 Hours, this was our home.
Lucian and Tibi making the beds
Like chickens on a bar
We ate very fast that evening, and slept. The next day, we went for a few minutes to take same photos of a station in the Donetsk area. Very clean area, old but good trains around. Ours seemed to stretch to the horizon. And it was full!
The station looked old and renovated
Another station on the way, this time around midnight. Our train arrived to Mineralnye Vody at 3:30 in the morning, and from there the driver took us to Azau. The minibus was 80 dollars, and it was booked through Pilgrim Tours. This is the best company to help you to go to the Caucasus. We ordered only the light package (papers and transfer from train to the mountain base), without guide, but they also have full packages if you prefer. Gleb sent us on e-mail all the necessary information to getting there. Many thanks, great company!”
Source: Adrian’s blog
