Since 2010, train no. 17-18 has been connecting Moscow and Nice once a week, via an epic 50-hour journey across Europe with a touch of class.

Crossing a continent
Every Thursday at 16:17, a train run by a subsidiary of Russian Railways leaves Belarus station in Moscow for Nice, which it reaches on Saturday at 19:12. It travels at an average speed of 65 km/h. So sit back and enjoy around 50 hours of travel and feast on the views from your window as you cross Russia, Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy. Every Sunday, the train leaves Nice at 19:22 to return to Moscow, and arrives at 23:17.

A touch of class
The 156 passengers can choose from the train's three luxury carriages, six first class carriages which provide beds and a shower, or the single second class carriage. As you would expect for any long journey, two restaurant cars offer quality Russian and European cuisine, served by staff trained on the Russian luxury trains. Individual on-board service is guaranteed. The 38 restaurant car waiters are selected by competitive examination and trained in the provision and psychology of exceptional service at the "service and tourism" faculty of the Moscow State University which specialises in the art of travel.

A big partnership
The SNCF provides passenger welcome and train maintenance services at Nice station, and the agreement signed in 2009 with Russian Railways (RZD) is opening up new perspectives. This strategic partnership for the SNCF includes the twinning of stations, the Moscow-Berlin-Paris night train, the definition of high-speed projects in Russia, promotion of freight transport and training of Russian railway workers. With international rail travel opening up to competition, Russia is a key market for passenger and freight transport services.

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