Which train categories offer discounts for students?

Students receive discounts on train tickets for almost all types of trains.

During the academic period, students can use a 50% discount on travel on commuter trains, which is especially convenient for those who live in remote areas from the city center. This makes commuting to university much more affordable.

Discounts also apply to long-distance trains, although in this case the discount is only 25% of the ticket price. However, it does provide an opportunity to save money.

Discounts and benefits are only valid within the country, and if you need to travel abroad, you will have to pay the full price of the ticket.

Students can also receive discounts on air tickets, which will be discussed at the end of the article.

Discounts on ticket purchases

Often students study not in their hometown, but in neighboring towns. In order to return home, they need to use public transport. Discounts on train tickets are available, but only during the school year. Let's look at what privileges and benefits are available to students.

Russian Railways Bonus program

Bonus points are awarded for each use of long-distance trains and can be used to pay for tickets. However, points are not applicable when booking a trip to Allegro.

There is also the opportunity to receive education at two faculties or at two universities at the same time, but in this case, student benefits can only be used once, regardless of the form of study for the first degree (budget or contract).

If a student receives his first education under a contract, then in accordance with Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia No. 443 dated June 6, 2013, he can switch from paid to free education. However, the transition to a budget-funded form of education is possible only if certain conditions are met.

Additional social support

Discounts are valid during the academic period, from September 1 to June 15. To purchase tickets at a reduced price, students must provide a student ID. This year, commuter passenger companies have introduced season tickets with a 50% discount on tickets for students of secondary vocational and higher educational institutions.

To receive benefits for travel on long-distance railway trains outside your constituent entity of the Russian Federation, full-time students and graduate students of universities aged 16 to 25 years are given a 25% discount on travel in compartment cars of long-distance trains of JSC FPC within the framework of the program loyalty "RZD Bonus".

Discounts on train tickets and trains for students:

The Law of the Russian Federation “On Education” dated December 29, 2012 No. 273-FZ regulates the provision of social support measures to students, which means that students can take advantage of various benefits and government assistance in their educational life.

Traveling around Russia can be expensive, but to make it more affordable, the Russian Government subsidizes tickets on some routes for certain categories of citizens. Find out who is eligible for benefits in 2024 in this article.

Conditions for receiving discounts for students on train tickets

Not every student can qualify for a discount when purchasing train tickets. This process is not as simple as it seems. Discounts are available only to full-time students, including bachelors, masters, specialists and graduate students. Part-time students and free listeners are not eligible for these discounts.

Some students may be tempted to present their student card without the cashier or train conductor noticing the part-time mark. However, such a maneuver is associated with high risks. You may be fined for such an attempt by inspectors who regularly check tickets and documents providing benefits at many stations.

Consequently, discounts on train tickets are only available to those students who devote their full time to studying at the university and cannot do work, that is, for full-time students.

Conditions for receiving discounts for students on train tickets

To receive student discounts on train tickets, you must be enrolled in a course. If you were dismissed in the previous semester, your student record will not indicate promotion to the next course. In addition, many Russian Railways ticket offices require a certificate confirming your student activity.

This certificate can only be obtained from the dean's office of your faculty, and it is valid until the end of the current semester. Therefore, attempts to bypass the system by deception will not lead to success.

In order to receive discounts, you also need to apply for a Russian Railways Bonus card. To register your card, you will need to take a photo of your transcript to verify your student status.

If you have already graduated from university, then discounts on train tickets no longer apply. However, the points accumulated on the Russian Railways bonus card will remain at your disposal.

In addition, if you are over 25 years old and continue to study full-time at university, you should contact the trade union committee to find out how to get a discount through the legal entity of your educational institution.

Consequently, students can get discounts on train tickets quite simply, either independently or through a trade union committee.

How to get student discounts on train tickets

To receive discounts for students on train tickets, you need to start by requesting a certificate of your student status from the dean's office immediately from the first day of school. This is a regular certificate signed by the dean. It is best to take several copies, as the document may be lost or damaged and you will have to carry it with you.

Please remember that the discount on travel on commuter trains is only available from September 1 to June 15. In summer you will not be able to take advantage of this benefit. Therefore, try to travel around your region while your studies are in full swing.

Benefits for schoolchildren on train tickets in 2024

Since 2024, Russian Railways has introduced a new tariff system for schoolchildren and students. Children aged 10 to 21 years old can receive a 30% discount on the cost of tickets for high-speed Sapsan trains. This discount is valid from September 1 to May 31 inclusive.

• In some regions, schoolchildren pay full price for train tickets, for example, in the Tver region.
• The discount can apply to all schoolchildren and to persons registered in a certain region. For example, in Crimea, a discount is provided only to local residents, and in Moscow - regardless of the region of registration.
• In some regions it is possible to purchase monthly passes with a 50% discount.

Therefore, if you are a student, be sure to check the benefits available to you in your region.

Procedure for registering a "RZD-Bonus" card for students

In order to buy a long-distance train ticket and take advantage of the discount for students, you must issue a bonus card "RZD-Bonus". To do this, go to the official website https://rzd-bonus.ru/ and register.

Please do not confuse this site with the official Russian Railways website.

Fill out all the required fields, be sure to include information about your identity document. All information will be confidential, but is necessary to link the card with your electronic tickets.

After registration, you will receive a letter to the specified mailbox with your bonus card number and a link to activate your account. Follow the link.

You will then need to take a photo of your certificate and send it along with your rewards card number to request activation of your student discount. This can be done through the feedback form on the website or by email.

After some time, the administration will respond to you, and after two days the discount will be activated on your card, allowing you to purchase tickets at a reduced price.

For more convenient use of the discount, it is recommended to purchase tickets on the official website of Russian Railways (https://www.rzd.ru/). Here you can register by filling out all the required fields and confirming your email address.

When purchasing a ticket, be sure to indicate the availability of the discount and enter your bonus card number, which is located on the front of the card. The payment amount will be displayed including the discount, and the discount amount will be indicated at the bottom of the page.

This method makes it easy to get student discount on train tickets in 2024. Sometimes there are cases when compartment tickets are cheaper than reserved seat tickets, and with a 25% discount you can go on any trip.

Why they may refuse to issue a card or discount - possible errors

Refusal to provide a student discount on train tickets may be due to several reasons. For example, if you have already completed your studies or were expelled from the university, your certificate has expired. Therefore, it is important to always have an up-to-date certificate from the dean’s office.

In addition, students who are over 25 years old can receive a waiver. However, if you are still a full-time student, you can contact your university trade union committee and find out how to get a discount through your institution's legal entity.

Refusal of a discount can also occur due to incorrect entry of the card number. Entering a long number without errors can be difficult, so it is recommended to check it several times.

Always purchase tickets on the official Russian Railways website to avoid additional fees and problems when returning tickets.

Therefore, it is important to be careful and careful when using student discounts on train tickets.

What other special offers are available to students at JSC Russian Railways?

Special promotions are regularly held for students, which can be found out through social networks or by subscribing to the newsletter from the official website of Russian Railways.

The following offers are currently available for students:

1. “40% discount on tickets in a reserved seat carriage” - the promotion is valid from October 26, 2020 to December 24, 2020. The discount applies to upper side seats No. 38-54 (even) and upper seats No. 34 and 36. This is a great opportunity to save on tickets, especially if the prices for compartment seats seem too high.
2. From October 13, 2024 to January 31, 2024, you can take advantage of a discount on double-decker train travel. A special tariff is available from 999 rubles. You may be able to take advantage of this unique opportunity in the near future, although the Student Bonus Program does not apply in this case.

More detailed information about current promotions and discounts from JSC Russian Railways can be found on the company’s official website. We also recommend subscribing to groups on the VKontakte social network, where you can instantly learn about all promotions and discounts from Russian Railways. This will help you always stay up to date and find better deals.

Benefits for traveling on the Lastochka electric train in 2024

The Lastochka electric train is designed for fast and comfortable travel. The train speed reaches 160 km/h and was developed by the German company Siemens AG. The train has 5 carriages, including special seats for disabled people.

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Lastochka offers a high level of comfort and speed of travel, but the fare is higher. However, it is possible to get a discount on tickets. The following options exist for this:

How to get discounts on air tickets for students

Discounts on air tickets are available to students in the same way as discounts on train tickets. Many, however, do not know about the possibility of purchasing air tickets with a 20-30% discount.

To do this, you will have to visit the airport ticket office with your student card and a certificate from the dean's office. Only by presenting these documents to the cashier will you be able to find out about available discounts. Surprisingly, thanks to government support, students can reap this benefit.

It should be noted that every year the state determines routes on which discounts are provided to students. Part of the cost of tickets is paid by the state, so the number of discounted tickets is limited. If you are lucky, you will be able to purchase a discounted ticket.

Benefits for traveling on the Lastochka electric train for pensioners

• disabled citizens;
• citizens with disabilities of the first group;
• participants of the Great Patriotic War;
• participants in the blockade of St. Petersburg;
• labor veterans;
• liquidators of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and citizens equated to them;
• children from large families;
• railway transport workers;
• military personnel.

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Travel benefits include expiration dates. For example, students can only use them during the study period, and for Lastochka trains, benefits for pensioners provide 20 trips within 30 days.

How to get travel discounts for students

Discounts for students apply not only to train and air tickets, but also to public transport. You can save on travel to university if you get a student social card.

For students in the capital, you can get a Troika card or a social card. In St. Petersburg, students will have to issue a special travel pass at the student tariff or purchase a “Petersburger” card from Sberbank.

A single social card is available for regions, providing a wide range of benefits. This card is a bank debit card and is also used as a university pass and for various discounts.

The card looks like a regular bank card, but the owner's full name, date of birth and insurance policy are indicated on the back, and there is also a photograph of the owner.

With this card you can save not only on travel, but also on groceries, clothing and entertainment. To receive it, you will need to provide a photograph before the start of the academic year, and the card will be issued personally by bank employees at your university.