For train power outlets, I can't remember where I read or saw it (may have been a youtube video) but for the trains used in Confed Cup and in examples of the free trains that depending on how old the train is some of them have power outlets in each cabin and the others have them at each end of the carriage aisle. Hopefully, they upgraded all the trains but you never know
My experience with russian trains and power outlets have been mixed. During my trips I've had more without it than with it, but the kupes (the ones we are getting for free) usually have one under the center table. It might not work thou. Would rely on the power banks...
Some are still unavailable, with the info: Processing for free of charge travel on this additional train will be done after 15.12.2017.
I was able to book a couple of weeks ago, they will ask you for your tickets numbers (well Fifa confirmation number), Fan ID number and passport info, you will be able to select Cart Nº and seats, then you will receive an email saying this In other words, they will send you the boarding pass in April/May 2018 after confirming the information.
Damn it! Considering the way they wrote, I assume that they will check "the purchase of a ticket to the upcoming World Cup’2018 match". I have a FanID, however, I don't have yet a ticket match for the specific match that I was thinking of booking the train. So, in case my friend is the one who gets me a ticket for that match, I would be his guest, I will have to book using his successful application number?
A few of the services I've seen arrive the morning of the matches, some within a couple of hours of the kickoff. That seems unnecessarily risky given the nature of rail travel.
As you have experience, how long before the train departs would you recommend to be at the train station?
For those looking to take trains other than the free trains (eg. Sapsan between Moscow and SPB): Russian Railways changed the date for when you can first purchase tickets. It used to be 60 days in advance. Now it’s 90.
Is there any indication that the airlines will be releasing more flights in the coming months? I keep hearing whispers and rumours they will, though I've read nothing official. I'm currently contemplating if I should book flights that are currently expensive, badly timed and/or require Moscow stopovers. As inconvenient as some of them are, it would be even more inconvenient if they sell out and I have to book something even worse...
I would say surely half an hour to an hour. So you can get into it without a hurry and to your place. But I've boarded in the last minutes as well, but I don't really enjoy going crazy to get there. It is usually pretty punctual.
I don't have any info on that, but I'm not expecting the prices going any lower, even if they did put extra flights.
And on a final note: Didn't see any changes to the timetable of the free trains. The only thing that changed was that they don't mention the date of 15th of December as update date anymore. Tried to find more info on the status of this, but couldn't. Did anyone see any changes on the availability prior and after the 15th?
Nope I've checked once or twice a day for atleast the last month for an update on the train I want to book (Moscow - Kaliningrad for match #26) but it still has that "Processing for free of charge travel on this additional train will be done after 15.12.2017" and unable to book. No rush though and they never responded to an email a few weeks ago regarding needing a Belarus transit visa on this route so they are obviously very busy sorting out their train schedules or headed off for Christmas holidays early.
I've noticed that Pobeda Airlines just release their flights 90 days before the departure date. So keep your eyes on them in March, for your possible dates. @popularside also mentioned in the ticket thread, that a lot of Aeroflot flights are still held back. Keep your eyes on them too! I have a ticket to Argentina vs. Iceland match in Moscow on the 16th of June, and Brazil is playing in Rostov on Don on the following day. Currently, there's one only available flight that I could take so I would arrived on time for Brazil's match, but they are charging over US$350 for one way ticket. Completely out of my budget! As soon as Pobeda release the flight, I will probably get with them!