Today, tickets to some destinations can be very expensive, which is why not every citizen of the Russian Federation can afford to travel long distances. It is not always possible to find a cheap carrier in the desired direction. It is especially difficult for people with low monthly incomes – pensioners – to purchase tickets, which is why a large number of companies provide discounts on tickets for pensioners.
Benefits on air tickets for pensioners: main provisions of the program
Starting in 2009, a federal program began to operate in Russia, within the framework of which people of retirement age living in areas Far East countries can receive a 50 percent discount on flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg or Sochi, as well as within the region. To receive such discounted tickets, a pensioner must have permanent residence in a given region. It should also be noted that such a discount is only possible during the summer periods: from April to October.
Since 2011, the Kaliningrad region and some areas of the Volga region in the north have been added to the program. Benefits for pensioners on air tickets in 2017 are provided in more than 25 cities. Flights can be carried out from the airports of the following cities:
- Khabarovsk;
- Vladivostok;
- Blagoveshchensk;
- Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
- Saratov;
- Kaliningrad;
- Irkutsk;
- Yakutsk;
- Norilsk;
- Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Discount tickets: approximate cost
The cost of air tickets can vary from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles, depending on the destination. The cheapest flights are between Kaliningrad and Moscow, and the most expensive are between Moscow and Vladivostok, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and other cities of the Far East.
It should also be noted that pensioners, veterans of the Great Patriotic War once a year they can receive a free air ticket to the place of medical procedures, if getting there by other means of transport is quite difficult.
Airlines providing discount
Discount tickets are provided by air carriers participating in the above-described program. Some of the largest airlines that offer discounts to pensioners over 60 years of age, as well as young people under 23 years of age and disabled people of the first group include:
- "Russia", which has many flights between the capital and cities of the Far East;
- Aeroflot together with subsidiaries"Vostok Avia";
- "Transaero";
- Sibir and other airlines.
What benefits pensioners have in a particular company can be found on the official websites of the airlines.
How to purchase an air ticket for beneficiaries
The procedure for purchasing a discount ticket is quite simple.
There are two ways to purchase: at the box office or online through the official website. When purchasing at the box office, you must request a discount and provide a pension card. The ticket price will be recalculated immediately.
When purchasing a ticket online, you must also indicate that a discount for pensioners is required. If necessary, you will need to enter your pension card number and show it at the airport during check-in.
Discounts on railway tickets
Sometimes, using rail transport, the journey can be faster and cheaper. In addition to discounts on air tickets, every pensioner can receive discounts on trains.
The main discounts include:
- For a period of May holidays dedicated to Victory Day, any WWII veteran can receive a free train ticket in any direction. Also, WWII veterans can receive 1 free ticket per year to the place of treatment;
- Heroes of Russia, the Soviet Union, Knights of the Order of Labor can receive a free train ticket of any category in any direction twice a year;
- Also, the main discounts include tickets for commuter trains, their cost is half the regular price, and every pensioner can also purchase discounted travel noah, with which you don’t have to buy tickets every time. To receive such a discount, you must provide a pension card;
You can also get a discount on railway travel using promotions provided by Russian Railways. Most often, such discounts can be received by anyone. Such promotions include:
- Buy a ticket any Tuesday. On Tuesday, when purchasing tickets through the box office or online, anyone can receive a discount on a ticket, however, this discount applies only to the seat, that is, the cost of linen will be standard;
- When purchasing a ticket in advance, you can also save a lot, the size of the discount depends on the date of the trip and how far it is;
- It is possible to get a discount on certain seats in a reserved seat carriage; everyone except children can take advantage of this discount. Usually the cheap seats are on the top shelves.
Freedom to travel for retirees
It is worth noting that federal program over the 8 years of its existence, more than five thousand citizens of retirement age have taken advantage of it, regarding the provision of discounts on air travel. This program really gives pensioners the opportunity to travel and visit their family and friends.
Sapsan is subject to dynamic pricing, like all other long-distance trains. Ticket sales for Sapsan begin 90 days before departure (from December 10, 2017). The sale starts at 8:00 Moscow time from base price. Then the price is recalculated every hour, it depends on the occupancy of the car and the number of days before departure. Therefore, the sooner you buy tickets for Sapsan, the cheaper they will cost.
Sometimes it happens that in the first hours of sales everyone starts buying tickets, and the price rises sharply. And then demand decreases, and ticket prices decrease again. If during the first day of sale the price is much higher than the base price, it makes sense to wait a couple of days and compare the cost. But it should be remembered that trains departing on holidays (May, New Year etc.) all seats can be sold out on the first day of sales.
2. Use the unique “Nadezhda” service on the Tutu.ru website
With the help of Nadezhda, order a notification about the start of sales so as not to miss the cheapest tickets for Sapsan. The same service will allow you to “catch” tickets that were handed over by other buyers. The price of returned tickets may be significantly lower than others.
Additionally, you can enable automatic purchase of tickets as soon as they go on sale. When the service is activated, the money on the card is frozen and debited only after purchase. The prepaid ticket ordering service is free, only a service fee for purchasing a ticket is charged, as when placing an order on the website yourself.
The automatic ticket purchase service becomes available 3 days before the start of train sales. The service allows you to order tickets for both adults and children. The tariff is automatically selected depending on the date of birth. You can also indicate your seat preferences when ordering. Payment is only possible with bank card, the maximum number of passengers per order is four people.
3. Pay attention to the price of a ticket to a higher class
Changes in ticket prices for each class occur separately. As a rule, economy class is sold out quickly, which is why it rises in price faster. Therefore, sometimes it turns out that tickets in economy are more expensive than in higher classes.
4. Apply special rates
In addition to regular tickets, there are several types of special fares for Sapsan that give a good discount. On the Tutu.ru website, the discount is applied automatically if the passenger’s age qualifies for the special fare. The price including the discount is displayed at the “Complete order” stage.
| Name | Discount | Description |
| From 0 to 5 years | 100% | The fare is free. When boarding the train, you will need a birth certificate for the child or a notarized copy of it. When purchasing a ticket, select “child ticket without a seat.” The child should sit in the parents' arms and not take up a separate seat. |
| Children (from 5 to 10 years) | up to 70% | The tariff applies to all classes of service. When boarding the train, do not forget your child’s birth certificate or a notarized copy of it. When purchasing a ticket, select “child ticket with seat.” |
| Junior (from 10 to 21 years old) | 30% | The discount is applied automatically when purchasing an adult ticket. When boarding the train, you must present proof of age. The tariff does not apply to the purchase of tickets for first class carriages and compartments with meeting rooms. |
| Senior (from 60 years old) | 30% | The discount is applied automatically when purchasing an adult ticket. You will need to present your passport when boarding the train. The tariff does not apply to the purchase of tickets for first class carriages and compartments with meeting rooms. |
All other special rates are available only when purchasing tickets at the box office.
5. Buy road and electronic maps “Universal”
Such cards allow you to get a 10% discount on tickets to Sapsan and Lastochka. Road map - a plastic card in credit card format. Electronic card is just a card number without plastic carrier. Their price and validity period are the same. The cost of one card is 3,000 rubles, validity period is 12 months. The card is personalized and cannot be transferred to third parties. Before October 1, 2016, there were several other types of cards, but they are no longer used.
Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to get a discount on the road map on the Tutu.ru website. In return, we offer you to receive bonuses for your trip on your Russian Railways Bonus card. To do this, enter the number bonus card on the “Payment Method” step at the bottom of the page.
6. Don't overpay for business class
The optimal class for traveling in Sapsan is economy plus. It has wider seat spacing than Economy Class, has a power outlet at the seat, and costs only slightly more than Economy. There is only one such carriage, its number is usually 10 (and 20 if the train is double). Business class tickets cost almost 2 times more than economy class; in first grade - already 4 times.
The Russian Railways holding has an extensive network of railway lines. It is not difficult for a traveler to create an individual route and get to any city in Russia. Elderly people often use this type transport to visit relatives, visit new places, get to a place of rest or treatment. At the same time, every passenger wants to save money. What discounts does Russian Railways offer pensioners on train tickets in 2019?
Types of preferences for citizens traveling by train
Operator railways In Russia, JSC Russian Railways serves most constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Millions of Russians use trains as an affordable vehicle. The company is working to improve the quality of service, regulates its pricing policy so that any resident of the country can buy railway ticket.
The price of a train ticket depends on several factors. Affects:
- dynamic pricing policy;
- popularity of the season (holidays, vacations, summer time);
- differentiated cost of seats in the carriage;
- comfort level;
- train departure and arrival times, as well as the day of the week;
- number of tickets sold;
- car occupancy;
- train category;
- date of purchase.
The rule is that the higher the demand, the more expensive the tickets.
Old man will be able to travel profitably by taking advantage of various types relaxations. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the carrier’s offers on the official website.
Helping a pensioner save money:
- availability of preferential status;
- selection of a specific seat in the carriage or departure date;
- advance purchase travel card;
- taking advantage of incentive offers from the carrier company.
The discounted travel pass is issued at the checkout. You will need to present title documents:
- certificate;
- order book;
- medical report;
- PFR certificate;
- FSS coupons.
A required document is a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Purchasing a promotional ticket requires only having a passport. You can receive a travel pass in paper form or by electronically on the Russian Railways website.
There are many agencies offering their sales and design services, but you should be aware that intermediaries charge a commission. These are additional costs.
Employees of the company's service terminals, employees of the local branch of the Pension Fund of Russia, and social services will tell you how to get discounts on Russian Railways tickets for pensioners 2019, what documents will be required.
List of shares
The train is a popular means of transportation across the expanses of Russia. Each traveler can choose the type of comfort that he can pay for. The wealth of Russian pensioners often does not allow them to purchase expensive tickets. However, Russian Railways carries out various measures that can significantly save money.
Since 2012, the Russian Railways Bonus incentive program has been in effect. For each trip, the program participant is awarded points that can be exchanged for an award ticket or a discount.
To stimulate passenger traffic, promotions are held.
For example:
- "Passenger Day";
- "Roundtrip";
- "Plan ahead";
- “Single ticket to Crimea.”
A 50% price reduction was noted by those who:
- went on the road from November 28 to December 27 (the concession is associated with Passenger Day, which is celebrated on December 3);
- wished to spend New Year's Eve on a train.
On December 31 and January 1, a fixed price for Sapsan was in effect. Economy class service cost 1505.60 rubles.
During certain time periods, the upper seats of reserved seat and compartment carriages are sold at a 40% discount.
Round-trip night trains cost the lowest possible price.
Tickets purchased in advance are cheaper and give you the opportunity to choose comfortable seats. The closer the travel date, the higher the price.
During the holiday season (30.04 - 30.09) the Crimean direction is offered - a trip around single ticket, consisting of 2 parts:
- from any settlement a vacationer gets to Krasnodar or Anapa using a Russian railway ticket;
- then the route “bus - ferry - bus” operates.
Coupons for the second part of the journey are purchased together with the Russian Railways ticket.
A 15-30% concession awaits travelers from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk by train “Lastochka” (selected places). Between the two capitals (Moscow, St. Petersburg) “Red Arrow” and “Express” run at fixed rates until January 25, 2019.
Previously, on Tuesdays there was a sale on certain trains, taking into account the date of travel (the promotion was temporarily suspended).
The end of 2017 was marked by news. Now the depth of ticket sales is 90 days. Although some trains still have a period of 45.60 days.
Special tariffs apply for high-speed trains.
"Sapsan":
- 50% discount for the birthday person and 3 accompanying persons per birthday week;
- persons over 60 years old - 30%, disabled people - 40%;
- round trip travel - minus 20% for the return trip.
- “Holiday” tariff - birthday 35% (week before and after);
- elderly over 60 years old - 30%
from March 1, 2019, the Sapsan service resumes between St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod.
Promotions are held constantly, replacing one another. Information is posted on the official website of Russian Railways.
Possibility of free travel to places of treatment or recreation
There are Russian Railways companies for pensioners, which operate continuously for meritorious citizens. An elderly person, having a title and decorations, has the right to count on preferences regarding travel by rail.
Ticket offices at railway stations will issue passes for long-distance trains free of charge. Money:
- Heroes of the USSR, Russia;
- Knights of the Order of Glory.
Citizens with such titles are provided with preferential travel 2 times annually on personal initiative, 1 time - on a sheet of coupons in the direction of the sanatorium (if they have a voucher).
The assignment is due once a year:
- Heroes of Socialist Labor;
- Order Bearers of Labor Glory, “For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR.”
The provisions of Federal Law No. 178 contain instructions according to which social assistance is provided to Russians. Article 6.2 provides a list of types of support, which includes free travel on intercity transport in the direction of authorized authorities for treatment. The social insurance authorities issue a special coupon; it must be presented to the cashier when registering the trip.
A pensioner with the status of a federal benefit recipient (disabled person, blockade survivor, participant, veteran, etc.) will be able to go on a trip using a free travel pass. In addition, such categories of citizens enjoy 100 percent benefits on suburban railway transport.
For people with limited mobility we offer:
- specialized coupes;
- assistance at stations;
- issuing a ticket remotely with deferred payment;
- reduced price for a person with disabilities and his accompanying person (disabled people of group 1).
Russian regions are developing their own programs to help socially vulnerable citizens, including elderly people who have retired. The authorities of some regions support pensioners - if there are medical indications, they pay for vouchers for treatment and compensate part of the cost of travel. In addition, transport, social cards, preferential travel cards that allow you to use commuter trains for free or at a discount.
The regions are connected to the high-speed railway transport system “City Train”. The project for integrating suburban and city transport gives residents the opportunity to travel at the prices of city trams and trolleybuses, subject to the purchase of subscriptions.
To implement the instructions of Law No. 4520-1, subsidies are allocated to the Pension Fund to compensate expenses for northerners for:
- moving;
- trip on vacation.
Northern pensioners who receive state support due to age or disability will be able to take advantage of the privilege of taking a vacation once every two years at the expense of the state. Travel costs will be reimbursed upon presentation of reporting documentation.
According to Federal Law No. 247, annual health restoration in sanatoriums is offered to employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who have worked for more than 20 years and who have been dismissed from service. Financial compensation transportation expenses are paid both to the pensioner himself and to one of the family members (child, spouse).
Thanks to decisions at the federal level, tariffs for commuter trains, transportation in reserved seats and general carriages will be maintained in 2019. It is recommended that citizens receiving pensions buy Russian Railway tickets taking into account active shares carrier company. It is also worth asking for up-to-date information about measures to support pensioners from employees Pension Fund, social security authorities.
Currently, the Sapsan high-speed train operates several daily flights from Moscow to St. Petersburg and back, making stops at some stations along the way.
The sales period for tickets for the Sapsan train is 60 days..
When selling tickets for Sapsan trains, a flexible tariff system is used. Fares change automatically depending on the following factors:
Service class (economy class is cheaper, business class is more expensive),
Ticket sale dates (the earlier you buy, the cheaper),
The percentage of occupied seats on the train (the fewer seats sold, the cheaper the ticket).
The final ticket price for a specific date can be obtained when booking.
Discounts for travel on the Sapsan train:
The Russian Railways company provides the opportunity to buy tickets for the Sapsan high-speed train at a discount. To take advantage of the reduced fare you must purchase road map for a certain discount. Road maps are sold directly on the Sapsan train from the conductors of the 6th car or at Russian Railways ticket offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Currently there are the following types road maps:
- "60+ "(for pensioners) - 50% discount for passengers aged 60 years and older. The cost of the card is 1000 rubles for a period of 6 months,
- "School" - 50% discount for passengers aged 10 to 16 years inclusive. The cost of the card is 1000 rubles for a period of 6 months,
- "Youth" - 20% discount for passengers aged 16 to 25 years inclusive. The cost of the card is 500 rubles for a period of 6 months,
- "Two capitals"- 50% discount for a passenger and up to 3 companions on Sapsan trains departing from Moscow to St. Petersburg in the morning on weekends + in the afternoon (from 13:00 to 14:00) on weekdays. The cost of the card is 3000 rubles. ,
- "Restaurant" - 10% discount on travel + a place in a bistro car with guaranteed meals. The cost of the card is 500 rubles,
- "Saturday" - 20% discount on Sapsan trains running on Saturdays. The cost of the card is 500 rubles,
- "White Nights" - 20% discount on Sapsan trains departing from Moscow in the evening from 19:30 to 20:00 and departing from St. Petersburg in the morning from 06:30 to 07:00,
- "Flight" - 15% discount on Sapsan trains for participants in airline loyalty programs. The cost of the card is 500 rubles for a period of 1 year,
- "Junior" - 30% discount for passengers from 10 to 21 years old for the period from September 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017.
Content
Traveling between two capitals is a journey that many passengers face: some go for work, others for leisure. The most convenient and quick way– go on Sapsan, and not choose a reserved seat carriage of the train. But this is far from the cheapest option. To save money when traveling, you need to know how to buy inexpensive ticket to Sapsan.
Via the official Sapsan website
To make a purchase electronic ticket online, you need to go to the official website of Sapsan or Russian Railways. On the right side you can select the direction (from Moscow or from St. Petersburg) and the desired date. The diagram window that opens offers a large selection of trains that go where you need to go. Here you can book or order tickets for a suitable time. Afterwards, you can choose from the entire list of available seats and make a purchase. We advise you to immediately buy a return ticket: its cost may change even within a day.
Discounts on Sapsan
For regular passengers, Russian Railways employees have come up with promotions on Sapsan. If you buy a road map, the cost will be reduced by a pleasant percentage (10-50%). Each category of citizens can find a special map for them, for example, there are the following types of road maps:
- "School";
- "Youth";
- "60+";
- "Two Capitals";
- "Flight";
- "Saturday";
- "Restaurant";
- "White Nights";
- "Universal".
Road cards give different discounts. Some of them are designed only for weekdays, others only for Saturdays. Some cards imply purchases only in specified time. The “Restaurant” option has another advantage: it guarantees meals in the bistro car. Cards cost from 500 to 3000 rubles. They can be purchased at the station at the railway ticket office or directly at Sapsan from one of the conductors. If the purchase is made online, then to receive the discount you must enter the card number in a special field during the booking process.
Russian Railways tickets at the box office
It is becoming increasingly easier to buy tickets online; some people prefer to buy tickets when approaching the station. When registering and making a reservation, you can immediately check with the cashier for all necessary information, for example, how much does a ticket for Sapsan cost? If necessary, it is much easier to hand over the document to the cashier and get a refund. It is impossible to get your money back without a cash register through online resources.
Cheap tickets for Sapsan by departure time and purchase
To save on your purchase you need to know a few features. Prices for Sapsan depend on the date of purchase: if you buy early, you will pay much less than if you decide to buy at the last moment. Tickets appear 45 days in advance, and two days before departure, most likely, only business or first class will remain, which will cost even more than traveling by plane. Start tracking - the right way how to buy an inexpensive ticket to Sapsan.
The second feature you need to know is the train departure time. Tickets in the morning will cost much more than if you decide to arrive in one of the capitals at the end of the working day. In the evening, even closer to night, they will cost much less, since demand is lower. If it is not important for you to arrive early in the morning, before work, then you can arrive late in the evening, spend the night in St. Petersburg and enjoy the beauty of the city, gaining strength.
Prices for Sapsan in economy class
Economy class prices range from 1290 to 3483 rubles. Business class will cost more, but according to reviews, they are worth the money. If you do not go all the way, but get off in Tver, then the cost will be different: from Moscow - from 1327, and from St. Petersburg - from 1086. Buying two tickets (one to Tver, and the other to the capital) will not save money. Travel with a transfer will cost twice as much.