I know there have been posts about this train previously but I would be grateful for up to date information regarding this journey. I am travelling on this train at the end of July with friends. I would like advice on food and what currencies people would advise getting. Also does anybody know how to find a detailed timetable of stops because I think the train may stop for lengthy periods at some places - long enough anyway to get off and buy something.
Thanks
Keith
I travelled from Moscow to Astrakhan in May and found that most people take their own food onto the train and use the samovar to make tea, pot noodles etc. We bought food in the markets to have a picnic on the train. There are cartons of noodles for sale in the larger stations. On all the trains I travelled on there was a detailed schedule of stops posted in the corridor so you could see how much time you had and at the longer stops people did get off to get sandwiches from the buffet or buy ice cream and chocolate from sellers on the platform.
People change into casual clothes, jog pants, sweats etc, when they get on the train, though you need layers as the temp ranges from boiling hot when the windows are shut and the air con off, to icy blasts of a/con when it comes on.