Tickets from Moscow to St. Petersburg are rapidly selling out ahead of the Russia Day holiday and the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The high demand has made it increasingly difficult to secure tickets, especially for train travel.

Train tickets are particularly scarce. As Russia Day approaches, with a four-day weekend from June 12 to 15, nearly all train tickets from Moscow to St. Petersburg have been purchased. The Sapsan high-speed train is experiencing especially high demand. Waiting lists are available, offering a chance to book returned tickets. As of June 11, limited options remain, such as an additional morning train with open-berth tickets priced at 2,600 rubles and compartment tickets at 3,400 rubles. Availability is similarly limited for June 12 and 13, with only “Economy+” tickets for women with children on Sapsan trains for 9,000 rubles. Returning to Moscow on June 15 presents even greater challenges, with only one Sapsan ticket available for 8,000 rubles and limited compartments for the disabled on regular trains. During the SPIEF, regular train tickets are easier to obtain than Sapsan tickets, though high-speed train tickets are scarce during the day, with remaining options limited to “Family” classes, economy tickets for women with children, or evening flights. Tickets to Moscow on June 21 are also nearly sold out.

Air travel offers slightly better availability, though prices increase significantly. On June 11, flights from Moscow to St. Petersburg are available at unpopular times, starting at 6,800 rubles without luggage. The minimum cost on June 12 is 6,200 rubles. However, tickets to Moscow on Sunday cost considerably more, with the cheapest option at 12,000 rubles with a transfer. During the SPIEF, flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg is more affordable than taking the train, with tickets costing 4,000-5,000 rubles and ample seats available. Tickets to Moscow on Sunday are more expensive, but the minimum price remains at 7,700 rubles.