Transporting luggage on a train by Russian Railways

Hand luggage

Unlike on an airplane, you do not need to check in hand luggage for a train trip, nor do you need to pay for it. Baggage can be carried as hand luggage if it weighs no more than 36 kg and its size in the sum of 3 dimensions does not exceed 180 cm*. This standard is the same for reserved seat, compartment, seated carriages, Sapsan and Lastochka trains. In a double suite (SV), you can carry up to 50 kg** of luggage. According to the rules, in order to take additional hand luggage weighing up to 50 kg, you need to purchase another travel ticket.

In practice, little attention is paid to restrictions; the conductor will not measure or weigh your bag before boarding. But if you have several heavy-looking bags, you may be sent to the ticket office to pay for your luggage. It all depends on the specific conductor and the station workers who check the luggage.

In different types of carriages, luggage can be placed in different places:

• In the compartment and SV - in the lockers of the lower shelves and a niche under the ceiling;
• In the reserved seat - in the lockers of the lower shelves and on the third shelf;
• In seated carriages, Sapsan and Lastochka - on luggage racks above the seats, in special luggage spaces inside the carriage.

You should not occupy all the luggage compartments with your belongings; other passengers will travel with you with their hand luggage. Passengers who have purchased a ticket for a lower berth have priority to the lower berth locker, while those traveling in an upper berth have priority to the upper berth.

Unlike on an airplane, you can carry any liquids on a train, including alcohol, based on the norm of 0.5 liters per person. Learn more about what you can and cannot carry in your luggage.

* Based on the sum of three dimensions (length + width + height). The dimensions are indicated for each bag (or suitcase) separately.

** Standard for the carrier JSC FPC. Weight may vary for other carriers' suites.

Transportation by rail - price

How much does 1 kg cost when transported by railway? calculate the estimated delivery cost using an online calculator.

There are additional services:

1. Cargo insurance.
2. : what you need will be picked up from your home (or wherever it is convenient) and delivered to the specified address in the destination city).
3. Packaging (in boxes, film, lathing or on pallets).

If shipping is carried out by railway, the price also depends on the weight, volume and dimensions of the luggage . Your 50 kg suitcase will reach Yekaterinburg on its own for 750 rubles.

Unaccompanied shipment in a baggage car will cost more than in a baggage compartment accompanied by you.

However, there is a big advantage here - the weight and dimensions of your cargo are limited only by the size and carrying capacity of the car itself.

That is, you can even transport a car, any furniture and as many packed boxes or suitcases as you like.

The prescribed rules for the carriage of baggage and passengers on the train are regulated by Federal Law. Read about how pets are transported on our website.

Special baggage in hand luggage

Bicycles, kayaks, snowboards, skis, and baby strollers can be carried in hand luggage, but only if they are disassembled and packed. It is most convenient to place the bike on the 3rd shelf in the reserved seat. It is better to lay it across two shelves, then it will definitely not fall while moving. More information about transporting a bicycle on a train

You can also take seedlings (if they are no more than 180 cm in height) with you into the carriage, just carefully tie off the rhizomes and crown. If the dimensions of the item exceed 180 cm in total, then for a small fee you need to issue a “Luggage in Hand” receipt at the cash desk.

Hunting and sporting weapons can be transported in hand luggage, but under special conditions. It must be in a case or holster, unloaded and separate from the cartridges.

All these things do not have to be placed on luggage racks; they can also be with you in the compartment - the main thing is that they do not interfere with other passengers. Hand luggage cannot be placed in aisles, corridors or vestibules.

Unlike ordinary bags, the transportation of sports equipment will need to be paid at the ticket office at the station

. This can be done at any time before the train departs.

If you have a lot of luggage, you should not board the train at the last minute to avoid making it difficult for other passengers to board. It is better to arrive early and carefully stow your luggage, leaving room for your neighbors.

For each piece of special baggage carried on the train, a fee is charged at the baggage rate in kilograms:

• bicycle - 10 kg,
• kayak (kayak) – 30 kg,
• weapon - 10 kg.

Children's strollers, wheelchairs, as well as skis and snowboards can be transported on the train free of charge. No documents are required. Skis and snowboards must be covered, as sharp edges can cut the upholstery and injure other passengers.

What can't be carried on a train

In accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, regulating the baggage allowance for passengers, there are a number of restrictions prohibiting the transportation of:

• cargo that threatens the life and health of passengers and train conductors;
• objects and things that cause damage to the property of Russian Railways or the property of passengers;
• flammable and explosive substances, such as gunpowder, as well as pyrotechnics;
• objects emitting pungent odors;
• fragile glass items that were not packaged properly.

In addition, you cannot carry valuables in the luggage compartment: financial documents, money, jewelry, etc. It is recommended to take these things with you as hand luggage.

The luggage of a train passenger can be different: from small-sized hand luggage or a suitcase, which are placed in special compartments of the passenger carriage of the train, to large-sized cargo, which is transported in separate carriages, without requiring personal escort. There are certain regulations governing the carriage of baggage on Russian Railways trains, which passengers must familiarize themselves with before boarding the carriage. If the current baggage rules established by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation are violated, the passenger may not be allowed to board by the controller.

Read more: “Transportation of pets”

Additional hand luggage

Additionally, you can carry another 50 kg of hand luggage on the train, but for an additional fee. If a child is traveling with you without a seat (under 5 years old), then the right to carry hand luggage does not apply to him.

You can transport household, video and audio equipment, regardless of whether the passenger has hand luggage, no more than one item per ticket. Equipment can exceed 180 cm in the sum of three dimensions. For each item, regardless of its weight, a baggage fee weighing 30 kg is charged. You will need to check out the item at the box office using a “baggage in hand” receipt.

If your household appliances fit into the 36 kg baggage allowance, then you do not need to check them in separately. The conductor will not force you to pay for your laptop or microwave.

Carrying out an order

There are several ways to order your luggage to be sent by rail. The procedure depends on whether the citizen will accompany his cargo and which company he contacts.

So, if a person decides to use an additional luggage compartment, then it is necessary to contact the Russian Railways ticket office. This can be done simultaneously with the purchase of tickets or at another time (but only before the train departs).

When transporting large cargo, it is necessary to order freight transportation. To do this, you can use the services of the branch - "RZD Logistics".

You can place an order on the official website of the organization. It is enough to fill out a small form in which you indicate the shipping/delivery address, the weight of the cargo and its volume, and then select the delivery speed and additional options.

As mentioned earlier, there are companies on the market that deliver goods via railways. You can also contact one of these organizations. The specific method for placing an order depends on the company. In some cases, this can be done on the company’s website, in others you will have to personally visit the company’s office.

Luggage compartment

If you want to carry more luggage, you need to check it in the luggage compartment. The luggage compartment is located in the headquarters car (ask the conductors where it is).

From one passenger, including children's tickets with provision of a seat (from 5 to 10 years), up to 3 pieces of luggage are accepted. The dimensions of the space based on the sum of three dimensions (width, length and height) should be no more than 180 cm, weight - up to 75 kg. The total permissible weight of luggage per passenger is up to 200 kg.

You need to pay for the transportation of luggage in the luggage compartment at the ticket office at the station. This can be done either when purchasing a ticket at the box office, or later by presenting a printed boarding pass. Or just give the order number - these are the numbers at the beginning of the SMS about purchasing a ticket.

When boarding the train, present the baggage receipt along with your ticket to the conductor. Then check your luggage into the headquarters car, and you will receive your luggage there. You yourself will travel in your carriage as usual.

Each item checked in must be packed. Only baby strollers and wheelchairs do not need to be packed, as they may be needed immediately after unloading. Remember that you are responsible for the safety of your belongings when transported in the luggage compartment.

Sending luggage separately if you are not traveling yourself

Accompanying for the transportation of cargo luggage is not required. It can be sent as a parcel. You can send luggage by train only to stations that have luggage compartments. Unaccompanied shipments are called cargo luggage. The cargo luggage transportation service is provided in almost all cities of the Russian Federation connected with the Trans-Siberian Railway, except for the Kaliningrad region.

It is possible to hand over cargo luggage either directly on the day of application, or in advance, having paid for safety, into a train carriage or luggage compartment. If there are technical reasons for delay in shipment beyond the individual’s control, there is no need to pay for storage.

Luggage must be packed in strong packaging and tied with twine. The minimum weight of luggage is 1 kg.

Directly on the parcel you should indicate the recipient's full name, contact number and residential address. Not only private individuals, but also government and commercial organizations can send and receive luggage.

You can receive your luggage within 24 hours after the arrival of the train, after which the payment for storage time begins.

READ All about how to save money and buy cheaper train tickets

Oversized luggage

If the sum of three dimensions exceeds 180 cm, then it is considered oversized and is transported in the luggage compartment. The weight of one piece of oversized luggage must not exceed 75 kg. No more than 1 piece of large luggage is allowed per passenger. Luggage must fit through the doors. The dimensions of one piece of large luggage should not exceed 175 cm in height, 50 cm in width, and 45 cm in depth for a single-decker carriage. Large luggage cannot be transported in a double-decker carriage.

If the baggage does not meet these conditions, then the train director signs and dates the transportation document. Payments for large-sized baggage not accepted for transportation are returned in a claim procedure.

Restrictions and prohibitions

The following cannot be carried in hand luggage:

• things that can harm or pollute the carriage and passengers' property;
• flammable, toxic, explosive and flammable substances;
• chemical reagents;
• smelly objects;
• firearms without a holster, case or special case (allowed only separately from cartridges, in an unloaded state);
• cash, financial documents, other valuables;
• fragile and breakable objects;
• animals, with the exception of those allowed for transportation.

Materials of biological origin are transported according to the rules in a separate 4-seater compartment under the control of two accompanying persons. If loading is planned at an intermediate station, the sender reserves a compartment from the original departure point.

To get money back for a transportation document, file a claim

Car carrier

This is a specialized carriage that includes 3-4 passenger cars. It can also transport motorcycles. Such cars are available on a small number of routes: from Moscow to St. Petersburg, Helsinki, from Moscow and St. Petersburg in southern directions. The cost of the service varies depending on the route, on average - from 5 to 8 thousand rubles.

You can’t just bring your car to the train and immediately load the car into the carriage. You must first call Russian Railways OJSC and check the availability of the service on the train you are interested in. Then you need to submit an application by phone, through the Russian Railways website or at a special ticket office.

Claim

If the terms of transportation of the car were violated or the cargo was damaged during transportation, the citizen may qualify for compensation. To do this, you need to file a claim.

The document is drawn up in writing. It must indicate to whom the complaint is being sent, from whom and for what reason. It is also necessary to write down specific requirements and affix a date and personal signature. The claim can be submitted in person or sent by mail.

Before filing a claim, you need to decide who exactly to send the document to. The complaint must be made to the organization that was responsible for the delivery. If a citizen applied directly to Russian Railways, then the document must be drawn up in the name of the head of the road department where the violations occurred.

Important! Individual departments are not required to forward this paper among themselves.

It is recommended to submit complaints to the regional representative offices of Russian Railways or the central office (located in Moscow). In addition, citizens can also use the official website of the company.

If a citizen has used the services of one of the companies involved in the transportation of goods and delivery of cars by rail, he must contact this organization. After receiving the cargo, she is responsible for its safety. Therefore, all proceedings with Russian Railways should be carried out by the carrier company, and not by the owner of the cargo.

Types of cargo sent by postal luggage method

Not every cargo can be sent in a mail and baggage car. It is easier to indicate the goods that are subject to restrictions. Such objects include the following:

• toxic substances;
• explosive and flammable items;
• objects with a specific and pronounced odor;
• any liquids, regardless of the container used;
• dirty items.

These can be cylinders under pressure, cargo belonging to any hazard class, paints and paints. All objects that are not related to this list of restrictions can be transported by mail and luggage type cars.

What baggage is prohibited and allowed for transportation?

By rail it is allowed to transport:

• of people;
• animals;
• small piece cargo and large cargo that requires the installation of special platforms;
• cargo in refrigerated cars (food, flowers);
• bulk, bulk, liquid cargo;
• dangerous.

Restrictions are established for the transportation of goods prohibited by law and those that can lead to damage to cars and create discomfort for passengers.

Before packing your bag for the trip, keep in mind that the following substances are prohibited:

• with a noticeable unpleasant odor;
• explosive, highly flammable;
• poisonous.

The list is supplemented by weapons and ammunition. If you need to transport them, then you must have permits to carry weapons, a case, including a separate one for cartridges, and the weapon itself must only be hunting, sporting, or traumatic.