Job Discussion Forums

[mulkanski]

Hi, I am interested in taking the trans-siberian train from Beijing to Moscow. Anybody out there know of a way to book it online? I found a website that says it's about $250 one-way second class, double that for a first class ticket. Does this sound about right?

If anybody has taken it before and knows some info about visas, tickets, stopping-off points, etc. it would be appreciated.

thx,

m

[lou_la]

Do it do it! I did it the other way last year, had an amazing time.

It will cost MUCH more than that in second class. You might be able to get it for about that much in third class all the way - depends very much on the time of year, and which trains you take. Have a look on the lonely planet forum, there's sheds of information there.

[mdk]

When I found out that they disconnect the smoke alarm in the bathroom of Sibair flights I resolved to take the train from Tomsk to Moscow henceforth.

I would pay about $324 for a sleeping wagon "spalnaya vagon" and I bought my ticket in the railway station. You would leave from Yaroslavl station. It is 52 hours to Tomsk so, I would double all those numbers to make Vladivostok.

I don't recommend first or second class travel unless you (a) speak Russian and (b) like the idea of spending 100 hours with a car full of Russians. You will get a semi soft bunk. Most people will bring a hamper of food with them. It's OK to trade around with your bunkmates. I strongly recommend against drinking with Russians. I always told them I had a medical condition which would not let me.

If you have one vodka with them...they just won't stop until they drink you under the table. (maybe not ... maybe I'm an old granny about these things, but getting staggering drunk on a train in the middle of the tiaga, isn't my idea of an adventure to repeat.)

[mulkanski]

i would be headed westbound, so any info or tips on going from beijing to mongolia and then russia would be appreciated. from other threads it appears irkutsk and ulan-ude seem worthwhile stopping at. i'm most concerned with booking tickets from beijing to ulan bator as those run more infrequently. any advice about that and about chinese and russian visas would be helpful. thx,

m

[mdk]

I recommend chasing down a copy of the lonely planet guide to the trans-siberian railroad. It deals with all of that stuff.

Irkutsk is not reported to be as interesting as Tomsk or Tobolsk, but there are a number of interesting things to do around lake baikal. I stayed a weeked in Ekatrienburg once. It was an interesting place, but no mardi gras.

[rogan]

http://www.russiangirlfriday.com/trans-siberian.htm

http://www.russiangirlfriday.com/

http://www.russiangirlfriday.com/trans-siberian/schedule.htm

http://www.cheap-moscow.com/train_tickets.htm

These links will lead to to lots of Trans Sib articles and help and a person in Tomsk who can be of direct assistance