Yekaterinburg to Moscow route: Trains, Prices, Things to see

Yekaterinburg became the gateway city to Siberia in 1723. With such a specific designation, it’s not surprising that Peter the Great, who had St. Petersburg constructed to be a “European city”, also bestowed upon this city a purpose in his greater plan for improving Russia. It’s named after his wife, Catherine I, who became Russia’s first empress after his death. Siberia is known for its metallurgy and Yekaterinburg was a center for this trade. An iron factory was opened on the Iset River in 1723. There’s much more to Yekaterinburg than the fact that the Romanov family was murdered here, and the city was subsequently closed off from visitors during the Soviet era. More sights in Yekaterinburg and in the cities on the railroad routes to Moscow follow.

The fastest route on a Yekaterinburg to Moscow train passes through Kazan.

Kazan: This city was a melting pot for Turkic and Slavic peoples and cultures, or at least they cohabited. Christian churches, Jewish temples and Muslim mosques can all be found in Kazan. Ivan the Terrible had an imposing Kremlin in his day. Today, an outdoor bazaar is housed beneath it.

Instead of passing through Kazan, travelers can take another, longer route that holds more sights. The first major city to visit after Yekaterinburg is Perm, then Kirov and Nizhny Novgorod. That is not to say there aren’t other worthwhile stops on either route. Both routes to Moscow on the Trans-Siberian railway cost a reasonable amount compared to the entire journey and are full of historical, cultural and religious sites.

Yekaterinburg: Whether you end in Yekaterinburg or continue on, don’t miss the sights here. Yekaterinburg is known as the capital of the Urals, which it was officially named in 1923. The Yeltsin center pays homage to Russia’s first president. Make a wish at the QWERTY keyboard monument, which are the keys in the center of the left side on most keyboards. This city played an interesting role in the change of government when the last Tsar and his heirs were finally put to death in the Soviet Era. The city was then cut off from visitors.

Perm: An interesting city because it is the last “European city”  when traveling eastward into Siberia, Perm has several sights to see. The classic Russian novel Dr. Zhivago took place in Perm and the historic buildings described in it still stand. The modern art museum called PERMM is worth visiting. On the heavier side, Perm 36 is the only gulag, or labor camp, that’s visitable today.

Kirov: A great stop for families or those who want to take a break from dense history-laden sights, Kirov offers light attractions. Dymkovo toys are made here. Dymkovo toys are molded, painted clay dolls that are one of the oldest handicrafts in Russia. They’re painted white then adorned with bright colors and sometimes gold leaf. Kirov is also famous for its birch shoes made from local trees and the Cucumber Festival. Kirov is a great contrast to the soaring monuments of Moscow and other metropolises laying ahead in the west.

Nizhny Novgorod: A prosperous trading city on the Volga for many centuries, Nizhny Novgorod is a whirlwind of sites. With interesting white or stone buildings topped with green roofs, then adorned with gold crosses, it’s a great place to stroll around and pop into religious monuments. While you’re at it, descend the many steps down to the Volga. Crossing this immense river on a cable car is also a treat. Highlights also include a 14th-century monastery and a grand kremlin.

After reaching Moscow, if you’ve been laying low after seeing the sights for a while, you’ll want be sure to change your watch before you head to any tours. Moscow is in the GMT+3 time zone. That’s all part of the fun of the Trans-Siberian, which spans across many time zones. Certainly, there’s no shortage of sights to see in Moscow and nearby, so hopefully, you’re planning to spend a few days. If  heading straight home, be glad that you’ve witnessed the somewhat gradual change while traveling westward into European Russia. Too many people only visit Moscow, St. Petersburg or both. While they’re incredible, they’re not always representative of greater Russia.