The signing of a law on the development of railway tourism by President Vladimir Putin on 28 February marks a new era for domestic tourism in Russia. The legislation, a collaborative effort between senators and deputies, is not only designed to streamline railway travel but also to elevate it to a distinct category, separate from conventional passenger transport.
For the first time in Russian legislation, clear definitions have been established for “railway tourism,” “tourist train” and other related terms. This legal framework provides the basis for the further development of the industry and allows for precise regulation of its processes.
A key aspect of the reforms is the separation of passenger and tourist transport. This division will facilitate the creation and implementation of specific rules tailored to the unique needs of tourist journeys. The Ministry of Transport has already prepared a draft order governing the rules for railway tourist transport, which is available for review on the official portal for legislative projects. The document outlines conditions and restrictions designed to ensure both the safety and comfort of travellers.
One of the most significant changes is the prohibition of transporting passengers who require isolation due to illness in tourist trains. This crucial sanitary-epidemiological requirement is intended to prevent the spread of infections. Similarly, the carriage of coffins, biological materials, weapons and ammunition is banned—standard safety measures that are applied in other forms of transport as well.
However, the new rules also expand the possibilities for tourists. The law permits the use of musical instruments and sound equipment on tourist trains, provided that any musical accompaniment does not disturb other passengers’ comfort. Organisers of tours will need to strike a careful balance between offering entertainment and ensuring a pleasant travel experience for everyone.
The range of services available to tourists is set to expand significantly. In addition to standard amenities such as meals and bedding, diverse excursion programmes will be integrated into the journey. This will allow travellers to explore many attractions and gain unique insights into various regions. Moreover, tourist trains may include specially themed carriages—for example, observation cars, compartments with children’s play areas, or coaches with restaurants and bars—adding a distinctive character to each journey in line with the route’s theme.
It is important that any thematic or stylistic decoration of a carriage does not compromise passenger comfort. All changes and additions must be approved and verified for both safety and convenience. For instance, observation cars should not only offer panoramic views but also guarantee reliability and comfort, while family compartments with dedicated children’s zones must be fully equipped to ensure safety and convenience.
Railway tourism in Russia was given a significant boost in 2019 when Russian Railways launched the now-famous “Ruskeal Express.” Since then, routes such as “To Karelia” and the “Silver Route” have followed. By early 2024, Russian railways were operating 81 tourist trains connecting 68 cities across 46 regions; by the end of that year, the number had risen to 91. In 2025, the network will expand further to 100 routes, covering 48 subjects and more than 70 cities. For the first time, routes will also include the Kirov Oblast and the Republic of Chuvashia, as noted by Russian Railways.
New long-distance tourist trains for 2025 include services such as “To Diveevo,” “Fairy Express,” “Pskov Holidays,” “Volga Voyage” and “Along the Oka” and “Vyatka Tale,” among others. Among the new suburban routes are the “Tchaikovsky Express” (Izhevsk – Votkinsk), “Baikal Breeze” (Slyudyanka-1 – Baikal), “Weekend Trip to Saratov” (Volgograd-1 – Saratov) and the “Divnogorsk Express” (Krasnoyarsk – Divnogorsk).
In 2025, declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory, railway tourism will also offer a chance to pay tribute to heroes. Special tourist trains will transport passengers to memorials, museums and historic sites. For instance, Tourist Train No 921 “For Victory Day” will run from Moscow to Volgograd and back on 1 and 7 May.
A joint project with the parliaments of Russia and Belarus, “Train of Remembrance,” is also set to be launched for 200 high school students. It will commence on 22 June from Brest on the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, and travel through cities in both Russia and Belarus, including several Hero Cities.
Suburban operators are also planning themed routes to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory. The Moscow-Tver company will launch an additional service of the “Seliger” tourist train on 9 May, while “Lastochka” suburban trains and the “Seliger” service will offer audio guides from an interactive Victory Museum. Meanwhile, a Kaliningrad company is organising suburban trains from Kaliningrad to Bagrationovsk from 1 to 10 May to transport passengers to sites of reconstructed military events, and the “Omsk – Suburban” company will offer tourist trains to local history and regional museums in the Omsk region. In the North Caucasus, a special service will operate a steam locomotive train from Rostov to Taganrog, featuring a QR code linking to an audio guide titled “Victory Route: Defence of Taganrog.”
In 2025, the RZD tourist train network will expand to cover 48 regions and more than 70 cities, significantly broadening the geographic scope of available tourist routes and increasing the flow of travellers by rail.
The development of railway tourism will allow travellers to experience the beauty of Russia’s diverse regions with enhanced comfort and convenience. The introduction of new regulations and the new law represents not just a legal update, but a substantial investment in the future of Russian tourism—focused on upgrading infrastructure and improving service quality for passengers. This is a significant step towards creating a modern, competitive tourism industry.
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