Russian Railways Rules and Regulations

(Article 92 of Transportation Codex and Sections 24 and 44 of Passenger Transportation Rules). Passengers have the right to make one stop along the way for no longer than 10 days to be able to use the ticket for the remaining journey). In order to prolong the validity of their ticket, passengers should present it to the train station superintendent during the first 4 hours after the train's arrival. The station master should make two special stamps on the ticket: one prolonging the validity and the other specifying the time and date of the next train's departure. These rules are not valid for local suburban trains.
Comment: You should make sure that you stamp your ticket at the train station superintendent to indicate that a stopover at a particular station was made. You will need to get a reservation for the next train you're going to take directly at the station, before boarding it. In reality this procedure might take a lot of time, so a more time-efficient way is to buy separate tickets. However, if you have more time than money, this is a good option.

(Article l 92 of TC). Passengers have the right to depart with an earlier train than the one they have tickets for. However, they need to get a special authorization note on their ticket from the train station ticket office.

(Article 92 of TC). If a passenger is less than 3 hours late for the train, he has the right to get another ticket for an extra payment that equals the price of "platzcarta" (the reservation for a certain train - usually 25% of the total fare). If a passenger is late for the train because of an illness or an accident this time span is prolonged up to 3 days.

(Article 90 of TC) will not be re-issued or renewed.

(Article 92 of TC). Children up to 5 years old traveling with adults can travel free of charge unless they require their own seat. If a child requires a seat of her own the child ticket has to be purchased prior to departure. Children ages 5-10 years old travel for discounted fare.

Refunds and Exchanges between 15 and 4 hours before departure. Get the refund minus 50% of platzcarta (reservation price) - usually this equals 13% of the total fare paid or have the ticket exchanged (the fee that equals 50% of platzcarta price is payable)

Less than 4 hours before departure. Get the refund minus platzcarta (reservation) - usually this equals 25% of the total fare paid (or get a new ticket issued). Passengers are entitled to the full refund (ticket exchange) if the train is cancelled or is running behind schedule.
If a passenger is late for a train connection due to the Russian Railway's delays, he or she entitled to the full refund for this train.
Passengers can also get a refund for the part of the journey they didn't make, if they decide to stop along the way, but the price of platzcarta (usually 25% of the total fare) will be retained. To prove that only a part of journey was made, passengers should get a stamp from the train station or train superintendent at every stop they make.
If passenger paid a service fee to a travel agency, this fee usually is not refunded in the event of ticket return. The tickets should be returned directly to the train station where they were purchased. Also, it is important to note, that the other document (RPT) provides different time spans: the first is up to 24 hours (instead of 15), the second is between 24 and 4 hours. The TC should have a priority, but if you want to avoid any fees it's better to refund / change your ticket 24 hours before the departure.

(Article 94 of TC). If it is impossible to provide the reserved seat or couch to passengers, the Russian Railways are to offer a similar place of the same or higher category at no extra charge. If a lower class place is offered, the difference in the fare should be refunded. It is up to passenger to accept or refuse this alternative, and in case of refusal, the full refund should be provided.

(Section 35) you should notify the train station superintendent to prolong the validity of your ticket by making a note on it. If you had your belongings in the train that you missed, the train station superintendent will notify train superintendent to deliver your belongings to the next train station (in route) storage facility.

(Sections 49 and 50 of RPT). Passengers may upgrade the seats (if available) by submitting their request to a train superintendant and paying the price difference. Passengers also may downgrade their seats but no refunds in price difference will be issued.
This is a useful rule for those who are traveling on long-distance trains where you run a risk of sharing a compartment with a fellow passenger you might not get along with. The easiest way is to submit a request to a carriage attendant for the seats exchange. It's not possible use the procedure described above.

(Section 57 of RPT). The Russian Railways have the right to refuse an intoxicated passenger and / or a passenger disturbing others to board a train.

Smoking is allowed in "tambur" only (the passage areas between the carriages).on long-distance trains.

(Section 59). Each passenger has the right to carry for free up to 36 kg of hand luggage. Each item should be not more than 180 cm in 3 dimensions. These restrictions do not apply to handbags, ski, fishing equipment, kayaks, cameras, umbrellas and other small items. It is allowed to carry camping gas containers.