Train Moscow - Rostov-on-Don

[jdk1963]

Has anyone ever taken this particular train?  The only thing I know is it is a ~17 hour trip.
Any general train information and experiences?  Differences between 1st and 2nd class? 

[Vaughn]

Two trains depart Kazansky station for Rostov, daily - I believe.

Train #020 leaves at 14:17, arrives 07:55.
Train #100 leaves at 18:38, arrives 12:20.

Never traveled this line myself, though....

Check the RWDpedia section above under Transportation.

Vaughn

[Sculpto]

Seems we don't hear about Rostov very often.. any thoughts as to why?

[Vaughn]

Rostov is where most American couples head to when adopting children, but
from personal accounts by a few of these adoptive fathers, the city has a
good number of beautiful and available ladies.

[jdk1963]

Seems we don't hear about Rostov very often.. any thoughts as to why?

I saw a few photos of the city and it seems quite nice.  Perhaps it is too far off the beaten path.

[chicagosenso]

Has anyone ever taken this particular train?  The only thing I know is it is a ~17 hour trip.
Any general train information and experiences?  Differences between 1st and 2nd class? 

I have been to Rostov a couple of times and my wife has taken the train from Rostov to Moscow a couple of times also.  Once to see me in 2007 and once in 2008 for the visa interview.  Both of us have taken the trains around Russia in the past two years.  The difference between 1st and 2nd class is price and privacy.  Obviously it is more expenssive, but you do not have to share your cabin with others if you book first class. There is a chance if you book 2nd class that no one else will share your cabin.  2nd class is very good for the price if you do not mind sleeping with strangers.  The trains are modern by Russian standards.

[bobcat]

I saw a few photos of the city and it seems quite nice.  Perhaps it is too far off the beaten path.

It's actually quite easy to get to, if the direct flights on Lufthansa from Frankfurt are still operating. I've been there a couple of times (2003), the city is reasonably mild by Russian standards in Winter, and the women are very beautiful. I dated a girl I met through business there, but she didn't want to leave Russia; thus we ended it and I met my now wife through EM.

As for the train, we went Rostov-St Pete in 2nd class. It took 2 nights and the people who were in our cabin were interesting; the ex-Soviet air force Captain and myself enjoyed our vodka. 
Definitely worth using the trains, the experience is memorable.

[Sculpto]

Wasn't Solznietzen from Rostov?

[jdk1963]

I don't mind 2nd class and it should be quite enjoyable.

[BC]

2nd class on the 100 train wasn't that bad, but next time will book the full cabin or go first..  there reportedly is an extra extra first class for vip's that has shower etc etc, but think it ran something like 1500 bucks IIRC.

Stay away from the guys out front wanting to carry your luggage (we had a ton) and agree to the rate beforehand if you do need them.

Overall I enjoy train travel in FSU, even on the very old trains.. makes you feel like you've been zapped back to the 50's or 60's.

I enjoy the Rostov area, especially around the Azov Sea, great sunsets.

A fair number of foreigners go there, mostly for business purposes, hope it stays that way.

[Doc Rep]

I am a fairly new member, But I just spent 10 days in Rostov with my girlfriend. So I have a pretty good amount of knowledge of the city. The best way I found to get there is by flight. There are several flights from Moscow daily. Also Czech airlines has flights four or five days a week from Prague. Lufthansa has flights also about the same amount from Frankfort. I checked on the train and it did not seem to be cost effective for the amount of time that it takes. It is a nice city with a lot of parks. The hotel Don Plaza is a upscale business hotel very nice for the price. One post was correct about the amount of beautiful women. I also adopted a son 6 years ago from a city not far from there. All in all it is a nice city and does not give the impression of being one of Russia's top ten populated cities. Which it is.