Korean Job Discussion Forums

dbmctague · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Hello,

I'll be leaving from Beijing for Ulaanbaatar on March 2nd third class. This is my only "set in stone" part of the journey and I've already got my ticket for this leg. I plan to spend between 1-2 weeks in Mongolia, then onto Irkutsk. I haven't bought my ticket for Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk but I imagine if I buy it at the station it'll be a lot cheaper. Anyone buy their tickets at stations instead of purchasing them ahead of time? Also can anyone recommend some mongolian excursion companies as well? I'm a student so I'm not looking to spend any more than 300 dollars for one journey.

In Irkutsk I plan on trekking along the railroad that snakes around the lower left half of Lake Baikal. This i'll do for several days and the lake should still be frozen over.

Then from Irkutsk (again, I plan on buying a ticket at the station possibly a day or two before I would depart) onto Moscow. However, this is going to be a really long ride, around 4 days. I was wondering if someone could also recommend a russian city to to stop over for the night and break up the journey.

For time and money constraints, I'll probably skip St. Petersburg and fly to Berlin, instead of continuing the train journey through eastern europe...unless someone highly recommends that I go on ahead with the train journey

As a reminder, I plan on riding 3rd class the entire way to save money and also to have the opportunity to mingle with more locals. Anyone also have experience riding 3rd class (platznarsky)

I bought the Trailblazer's Guide to the Transsiberian Railroad but wanted to hear more personal experiences from people who've made the journey.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Wow, 3rd class?? I went 2nd and it was great. In 3rd you will be lucky if you can use your bed. Every room and the hallways will be packed with luggage and imports to the ceiling. It will definitely be an experience.

4 days on the train won't be bad at all but since you won't be on the Trans-Siberian I am not sure how the trains will be. As for tickets, I think you should buy it when you first get to Irkusk to be on the safe side and spend that extra 300 rouble to bump yourself up a class.

rocket_scientist · Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Location: Prague

Third class is doable but it wont be easy if it really is a few ruble Id upgrade
but I think its more than that A traveler told me the upgrade wasnt worth it as the whole train just turned into a mess i get a fare of 132 usd from moscow irkutsk khaborovsk is supposed to be good but not going there

g luck

rocket_scientist · Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Location: Prague

Even 2nd clqss hqs probs i never know if i smell bad and i always hit the eve train aftr checking out and walking around qll day i never know if i chat enough or if i offend some protocol

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

St. Petersburg is pretty nice, I would think it's worth going to. You could go down to Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland on your way to Berlin.... but maybe it's a little too much.

The hiking on Baikal sounds great... how are you planning the route? Are you camping on the ice?

dbmctague · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Thanks for a lot for the responses, especially soviet_man for the detailed train information regarding going through Ulaanbaatar and Irktusk onward to Moscow.
Though I'm curious why you suggested a train from Moscow to Helsinki? My next destination is Berlin.

As for camping on the ice, I doubt it. i don't have much experience winter camping so If I do, it's going to be close to the shore.

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

Well definitely look into your route and your equipment etc. I went past Baikal in February and it was cold...and deep snow.

Moscow to Helsinki would go past St. Petersburg. You could then quickly go through Eastern Europe to Berlin. But visas may be a problem if you're not European, I'm not sure.

IamBabo · Joined: 16 Jun 2005

Hi,

I second Ekaterinburg. Some interesting stuff there, you can go to the spot where the Romanovs where murdered, it's weird, just a small memorial with a very small gift shop behind it Some amazing cathedrals and other history there as well. I also stopped in Vladmir. a small city about an hour outside of Moscow, not a bad little place, but not much to do there, more cathedrals, a beautiful park, and a just a nice clean city.