Russia to Allow Train Travel with Biometric ID

Starting September 1, Russian passengers will be able to buy tickets and board long-distance trains without showing a passport—just their face will be enough.

Beginning September 1, travelers in Russia can purchase tickets and board long-distance trains using biometric identification. The option will be powered by the Unified Identification and Authentication System and the Unified Biometric System.

The service will also extend to high-speed rail, though availability will depend on whether carriers are equipped with the necessary technology. Importantly, biometric authentication will not replace traditional payment and ticket verification methods, which will remain available.

Biometrics are also spreading across Russia’s metro systems. In Moscow, for example, riders can already pay fares using facial recognition. To use the service, passengers register in a mobile app, link their photo and payment card, and then simply look into a camera at the turnstile—the gates open in seconds. By the end of 2025, every Moscow Metro station is expected to be equipped with this technology.