Job Discussion Forums

[lily]

Hi,

I'm considering doing the Trans-Siberian train journey next year, and was just wondering if anyone had any travellers tales, tips, thoughts or advice about the journey? Is it worthwhile? Is it better to do in Winter or Summer, or no different? Which are the better cities to stop over in?

In my search of the net, I found that there are actually 4 different routes you can take: Trans-Siberian, Trans-Manchurain, Trans-Mongolian and the Baikal Mainline. They all start from Moscow. The T-S ends in Vladivostok, the T-Man in Beijing, the T-Mon in Beijing but (obviously) goes through Mongolia first and the Baikal in Imperatorskayh Gavan. I'll probably do the T-Mon, backwards. Just to be different.

Cheers, Lily.

PS I have done a search on Dave's, but there are only 1 or 2 stories specific to the journey. I would like more.

[Roger]

I have done the Transsib 5 or 6 times, and would happily do it again!
I travelled from Moscow to Zabaykalsk and on to Manzhouli, Harbin and Peking (the Manchurian line) as well as from Peking via Erenhot to Ulanbataar and on to Tchita, Moscow. Once I travelled all the way to Siberia en route to Khabarovsk in winter; we arrived half a day late, then were flown out to Tokyo from a ctiy 1000 kms from Vladivostok.
What is so special about the Transsib?
First of all: ambience! Travelling on the same train for six days, or if you break your journey into sections, 3 days at a time, you will bond with fellow travellers. The dinign car always becomes the meeting-point for everybody.
The landscape also had a magic influence over me. You see no human habitation for entire days ata time - it's a bit like crossing Canada from West to East, minus all those major settlements...
Winter or summer? Either. Winter looks rather bleak, but it's the time when people really huddle in the warmth of those overheated compartments and become sociable. Summer? Nice too - very hot (surprise, surprise), and a lot of mosquitoes...

Social chemistry is very interesting. My last trip took place in 1992; at that time it was common for people to try to do some sort of business. Of late, professional smugglers have taken over, of course.
But it still is a most fascinating experience!

[deezy]

I'm a train traveller too...I did the trans-Canada last year and it was HEAVEN. I couldn't believe it was happening to me, it was such an amazing experience. And it was the people, (apart from the scenery) who made it...I have memories of the most interesting travelling companions, I could write a book on their stories.

I plan to do the TransSib early 2006, so I too would welcome any information, good or bad.

[dajiang]

oh, i just replied to this on in the 'China off-topic' forum.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=16685

there.

[mehrlin26]

I considered taking the Trans-Siberian from Vladivostock(sp) when I finished my job in Korea. But I never did. I always regretted it.

I did hear vague stories about lots of criminals riding the train, but they were so vague as to be useless.

(No, I don't know whether the train from Vladivostock would be considered the Trans-Siberian)

In conclusion (and confusion), go for it.

[GeminiTiger]

Definately on my to-do list. I saw an amazing PBS special on this
last year, I think it was Globe Trekker.

Only recommendations I have is,
Find a (trusted) companion, travel is always safer and easier.
Siberia probably is not the place to be in winter go in the summertime.
Have fun!

[lily]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies, good info in all.

dajiang, I found your reply in China Off-topic, cheers.

deezy - one of the times I'm considering going is Feb - Mar 2006, coincidence or not??