Buying Russian train tickets got trickier after foreign cards stopped working on the official railway site — but there are still several reliable ways to book, even with a foreign Visa or Mastercard. Here's how.
The problem: RZD.ru and foreign cards
The official Russian Railways site (RZD.ru) no longer accepts foreign Visa or Mastercard, and it is hard to reach from much of Europe. So unless you have a Russian MIR card, you need an alternative way to pay.
The easiest option: an authorised subagent
Services such as RussianTrain (an authorised RZD subagent) sell the genuine Russian Railways e-ticket — the same train, car and seat in the central system — with an English interface and payment by foreign Visa or Mastercard, no VPN needed. You pay a commission on top of the fare, and the PDF e-ticket arrives by email.
Cheaper but in Russian: Belarusian Railways
The official Belarusian Railways site (RW.by) also sells Russian train tickets at near-RZD prices and accepts some foreign cards. The catch is the interface — Russian and Belarusian only — so it suits travellers comfortable navigating that.
If you have a MIR card
With a Russian MIR card you can book directly on RZD.ru or its app at the lowest price, with no subagent commission.
At the station
You can always buy at a station ticket office in Russia. Bring your passport, give your destination, date and train, and ask to pay in rubles; cash always works, and card acceptance depends on the terminal.
Can I buy Russian train tickets with a foreign card?
Not on RZD.ru directly, but yes through an authorised subagent such as RussianTrain, or via Belarusian Railways. Both issue genuine tickets; the subagent route is the most straightforward in English.
What do I need to board a Russian train?
Your e-ticket (or its number) and the passport you booked with. For long-distance trains your name and passport are tied to the ticket and checked by the conductor before boarding.
