Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JFuller317]

First of all, I am an American, so visa/travel rules regarding Americans would apply.

My contract is up in July, and my plan is to travel across Europe. To do this, I was thinking it would be cool to take the Trans-Siberian railway starting in Beijing and going through Mongolia and ending in Moscow. From there, I would go into Eastern-Europe and finally make my way to Western Europe with a Eurorail pass before ending up back in the U.S.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience or knows someone who has experience with this? I have been searching for the best way to get tickets online. It seems that the train always sells out in Beijing, and that the only way to do this is to go through an agency. Can anyone recommend a reliable agency that doesn't rip you off? I searched online, but I couldn't find anything that looked legitimate.

Also, what do I need to know regarding getting a visa into Russia as an American?

[Dude Ranch]

watch this movie
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[RufusW]

I just went Moscow-Vladivostok.

I booked my ticket through realrussia.com, based in the UK and Moscow who should be able to sort it out. However, I think they put in a hefty charge ontop. They'll be able to give you some free advice about the visa.... you need an invitation letter from the accomodation (hotel) that you'll stay at, but travel agencies can basically just bypass that requirement.

It'll cost a fair bit, visas are at least $150 I think, and the ticket'll cost a fair bit.

Make sure to stop off at Ulaan-Baatar (I haven't been there but you might as well) and also Lake Biklal in Russia (again, probably just 'cos it's worth it). I probabably wouln't pay for meals, they aren't great and as long as you bring food onboard you'll be okay. The 3rd class (4 in a room, although it might be different for the trans-mongolian) is fine.

[sobriquet]

It goes through Siberia. you sit on a train for a long time.

[runthegauntlet]

http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm

A mass of info.

[oskinny1]

I did the trip last year. As someone said, you can get the visa and invite letter from a travel agency. I bought the ticket when I got to Beijing. You cannot get it at the train station, there is only one place that sells them (as far as I know). It was about a 10 minute walk from the station.

Getting that visa for Belarus may be difficult (and expensive). I just flew out of Moscow to Vienna and traveled on from there. I wish I would have flown into Budapest and taken an overnight boat on the Danube to Vienna. Maybe next time.

Make sure to buy your beer before you make it into Moscow unless you have rubles, it will triple in price on the train, but you can buy it cheaper at each stop. I couldn't get any rubles till the last day and the people working in the Russian meal car where the rudest you will ever meet.

[JFuller317]

How much did you pay for the visa and invite letter?

[oskinny1]

Can't remember off hand, but above 100,000. Just stop into any travel agent and they will tell you. I do remember having to pay extra because I waited till the last minute.

[slimstinator]

Once you are in Moscow go to St Petersburg. Moscow is a big city with a red square and a Kremlin. St Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I took the trans sib on the route you mentioned. I went :
Incheon -> Tianjin (Boat)
Tianjin -> Beijing (Bus)
Beijing -> Ulanbator (Train)
Ulanbator -> Irkutsk (Lake Baikal) (Train)
Irkutsk -> Moscow (train - 77hours)
Moscow -> St Petersburg (train)
St P -> Riga (Latvia) (train)
Riga -> Vilnius (Lithuania) (bus)
Vilnius -> Warsaw (bus)
Warsaw -> Krakow (train)
Krakow -> Prague (train)
Prague -> Cologne (train)
Cologne -> Belgium (train)
Belgium -> London (train)
London -> Scotland (train)

For booking trains, I only booked one train before I left, and then booked the next train when I arrived at the station. I did it leaving at the end of august so it was end of season and i had little problem to find seats. What I did before I left was to find all information for transport for the destinations I was going to. IE Train 23 from X to Y leaves on Tuesdays at 9am. So my basic itinery was made, I knew all the train numbers, and generally how long I wanted to stay everywhere, but it was still unbooked and flexible.

The first train I booked was from Beijing to Ulanbator. Chinese trains can be fully booked very early especially around September when Unis are going back.

Then once I arrived in Ulanbator I found the train station and then the international ticket office, and got a ticket.

Personally I allways travelled 3rd class (plaskart) if it was available. However sometimes 2nd class was the worst they had. Typically 1st class gets sold out quickly to rich foreigners, then 3rd class to russians, and then 2nd to russians. 3rd Class is great fun, open carridges, you get a fine bed, and plenty of chance to meet everyone. Old grandmothers sharing food with you, and soldiers keen to show you real vodka.

If you have any further questions, PM me.

PS!! Whatever happens, go to St Petersburg for a week. you won't regret it. Since doing the Trans Sib in 2007 I went back to St Peters in 2008.