The Elektrichka (Электричка)is the typical Ukrainian local train. Called also elektropoezd (электропоезд) is popular on the short routes where it is possible to arrive at destination in few hours.
They are multiple unit trains and they don’t have sleeping cars but normal passengers cars of first and second class.
As always a significant difference is the age of the train. There are new Elektrichka called “comfort” and old ones that of comfortable have really very few…
Usually the newest Elektrichka are operative on the main lines as Dnipropetrovsk – Donetsk, and the other ones are more popular on less important routes.
Here are several photos of different Elektrichka (modern ones).
Elektrichka Dnipropetrovsk – Donetsk
An elektrichka at the Dnipropetrovsk’s railway station
Elektrichka’s wagons
Elektrichka Dnepropetrovsk – Donetsk
Elektrichka Kiev – Khmnelnitskiy
Elektrichka Kiev – Khmnelnitskiy
The elektrichka waiting in Kiev
Elektrichka alla stazione di Kiev (Vydubichi) local service
Elektrichka at Vydubichi (Kiev)
Elektrichka at Vydubichi (Kiev)
Inside the wagons
The quality of wagons ad of the seats depend not only on the class but also on the kind of Elektrichka. You can find carriages with comfortable seats + small table and tv (if it works) and other ones with simple wooden seats.
Elektrichka Kiev – Khmnelnitskiy (inside the first class)
First class elektrichka Kiev – Khmnelnitskiy
Elektrichka, first class (notice TV)
Elektrichka Dnepropetrovsk – Donetsk (First class)
Elektrichka’s wagon
Elektrichka’s seats. Dnepropetrovsk – Donetsk
Having traveled on all these trains, we can say the elektrichka Kiev – Khmnelnitskiy was more comfortable than the one between Dnipropetrovsk – Donetsk even if from outside the second one looks better.
Toilets
The toilets of the Elektichka are not better than the ones of the overnight trains.
They only offer a simple faucet and a turkish WC and they are not even available on all carriages.
The WC of an elektrichka
Price of the tickets
They are quite cheap even if you chose the first class.
For the route Dnipropetrovsk – Donetsk we paid just 29 Hryvnia head (less than 2 euro).
At least for in the first class, you can’t sit where you want. Your place is booked when you buy the ticket.
Train timetable
http://www.uz.gov.ua (site in Russian and Ukrainian)
