If you are planning a vacation today, considerVacation option in Prague. This is one of the most beautiful European cities. Every day you are waited by excursions to ancient palaces, chapels and cathedrals, local shops surprise you with an abundance of souvenirs and knick-knacks sold at low prices. And, of course, it is here that you can try 70 varieties of the best beer. It remains to decide how to get to Prague.
Popular transport
Prague and Moscow have direct air service.As always, a plane is the fastest means of transportation. From Moscow you can easily get to the aircraft of the airline "Aeroflot". The price of the ticket is quite real, from 120 euros, if you take an economy class ticket.
For people who do not like airplanes, there is another type of transport, for example, a bus. From Moscow in transit through Riga you can reach Prague for about 85 euros.
Finally, the most popular and convenient form of transport is the Moscow-Prague train. It is sent daily, you do not have to adjust your vacation schedule for the railway. Departure occurs from the Belorussky railway station around one in the morning.
What are the advantages of traveling by rail?
Substantial savings in money - very significantan argument for many people, especially if you go on vacation with the whole family. The train "Moscow-Prague" never lacks passengers, because the fare in a compartment costs about 8.5 thousand rubles. This is available to most citizens and allows you to leave more money for traveling around Prague.
That's not all, airplanes and buses oftencause unpleasant sensations, passengers are swayed, which cannot be said about the train. It does not need to constantly sit in a chair, you can walk along the corridor, warm up and look out the window. There is another big plus: the train "Moscow-Prague" passes through several European cities, each of which has a parking time of up to half an hour. Passengers are usually not torn from the windows, and during parking you can take photos and buy souvenirs.
Disadvantages of traveling to Prague by train
They are not so many, tourists usually celebrateonly - the duration of the trip. The journey from Moscow to Prague will take you about 30 hours. On the other hand, a comfortable location in a comfortable compartment, the ability to walk, sit, lie down, eat and sleep, reduce this disadvantage to nothing. And if you add the presence of a pleasant company, the possibility of leisurely communication with your family, the minus turns into a plus, because in everyday life there is no such opportunity every day.
When to buy tickets?
Since the train to Prague - This is a very popular form of transport forRussian tourists, then the ticket is worth thinking in advance. If vacation is usually planned for 4-6 months, then the transport issue should not be left unresolved. Often the seats are dismantled a month in advance, so book your tickets 6-8 weeks before departure. Then your journey will not overshadow the need to urgently look for alternative, and often more expensive, ways to get to your vacation destination.
Single issue - train ticketsPrague-Moscow, or the way back home. Tour operators are advised to pay the road at both ends at once, then by the end of the vacation you are guaranteed to appear in the workplace.
Train carriages or what to expect
High-speed train "Moscow-Prague" is surprisingpassengers accustomed to domestic cars. These are quite comfortable compartments, standardly designed for a different number of people. There are double and triple European class, of course, the cost is more expensive, and ordinary, for 6 people. In the compartment and toilets cleanliness reigns, comfortable washbasins and sockets for razors work (today they are often used to charge cell phones and laptops).
The seats are comfortable and soft, you will go withcomfort, but keep in mind that there is little free space in the compartment, especially in the standard one, for six seats. If you especially appreciate comfort, then take a first class ticket (only one person is traveling with you) or a suite, then you are the rightful owner of the coupe.
In the first class beds are located withon the one hand, and a place for things, a hanger and a table - on the other. By the way, there is a washbasin under the table top. It is quite convenient. There is also a folding seat and locker-bar (true, empty). What is great, the upper berth is located so that even a tall person can sit comfortably on the lower one without touching his head.
The second class differs from the first in that it adds another bed, so the level of comfort is sharply reduced.
What to do on the way?
The presence of the outlet provided in undivideduse, predetermines occupancy of passengers. To a large extent, this is watching movies and reading books loaded on a laptop or tablet. So boring on the road does not happen. From Moscow departure takes place late at night, so as soon as the excitement of landing takes place, the tapping of the wheels begins to lull, and now the morning of the next day.
Over the next day you will cross three timesstate borders, visit various cities, which can be viewed from the window and get to know them a little while the train is stationary. So that you have a better idea of what route the Moscow-Prague train will make, we will suggest a route in a more expanded form.
The path length of 2111 kilometers
At about 3 am you will drive through the cityVyazma, and in 5 - Smolensk. Usually at this time everyone is sound asleep, so these stations pass unnoticed. Also, in a dream, the Russian-Belarusian border crosses, and by 8 am you are already approaching Minsk. Locals meet with numerous suggestions in the form of a hot breakfast. Cooking is usually not bad, so if you stocked up only with a dry ration, you can diversify the menu.
The next item is Brest, at about 3 pm.Then the train enters the territory of Poland. Here, only Terespol will please a long stop, about an hour, the rest last only a couple of minutes. By night you will reach the Czech Republic and, having safely slept until morning, you will meet Prague.
Crossing borders
Этот момент обычно волнует туристов, которые не had a great experience in traveling abroad or for the first time chose the train "Moscow-Prague" as a transport. The schedule is structured in such a way that you cross the first state border early in the morning. Usually there is no global checks, and passengers sleep peacefully. Only in case of an emergency the conductor will lift everyone in advance to prepare the documents.
Next you have a more serious test, towhich is worth preparing in advance. Belarusian-Polish customs officers thoroughly check documents, they can ask you to get and count your money with them (they must be declared), check your luggage. In general, if you are traveling on a trip, then no problems are foreseen. You must have a migration card in your hand (you will receive it with your visa), and you must have an entry stamp in your passport. You can have up to three thousand dollars with you in cash (this amount can not be declared). If this amount reaches 10 thousand dollars, be sure to declare. If more, then you will need permission from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
To carry money in cash is quite risky, so it's better to use traveler's checks. It is easy to cash them in Prague.
Another point:Try not to have too many tobacco products (do not agree to transfer the gifts as a block of cigarettes) or alcohol. When you go back, tea, coffee and perfume can be taken out without restrictions, and alcohol - from 1 to 4 liters.
Polish-Czech border guards are usually severalloyal and limited to checking passports. If you do not give a reason to show interest in your person, then you will calmly cross all three borders, and in this and the other direction.
Meals on the road
If you are traveling with a small child, it is worthtake care of the special supply of food in advance, because on the road to replenish it will not work. And if you are traveling in the company of adults, big problems never arise. Lunch can be taken from home. Tea constantly offers a guide, plus you can buy cookies and candy from him. When you wake up in the morning, you will hear the waiter from the dining car distribute the menu and collect orders for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant is open only up to three hours, until you reach Brest. Prices there, of course, bite. But the ubiquitous locals help out; at the shortest stops they manage to run through the wagon with bags, from which there are delicious smells of fresh homemade food. Therefore, it is unlikely to remain hungry. Moreover, the next morning you will meet in Prague, where, after accommodation at the hotel, you can have a quiet breakfast.
Passenger safety
As in all times, soaring in the clouds of touristsperiodically robbed, no exception, and those whose ultimate goal - Prague. Anyone can ride near Moscow by train, and a completely flimsy chain at the door rests on an honest word. What can be done to protect yourself? Do not carry large amounts of money with you, use the services of the bank. Do not be zealous with dating, especially if the "friendship" is sealed with alcohol. At night, the door can be propped up with any suitable items. If you are traveling alone, then, leaving the compartment, take valuables with you, you can take care of a small suitcase in advance, which will include all the most expensive. If traveling with your family, leave the compartment in turns.
Brief conclusions
In general, the journey is quite pleasant, about thissay all the reviews of experienced tourists. The best transport is the train "Moscow-Prague". Schedule, cost - everything is very convenient for any kind of employment and income. Tickets available, departure late at night, you have time to finish all the cases. The night passes quickly, the day is enriched by the impressions of the passing landscape, and only one night remains to meet the shining Prague.
