Korean Job Discussion Forums

bulgogiboy · Joined: 12 Nov 2003

Anyone ever taken the trans-siberian starting in Vladivostok and going to Moscow? It sounds like a good way to see alot of Russia on my way home to the UK.

If anyone's done it, how was it? The idea seems good...

BB

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:45 pm Post subject:

Using the SEARCH command at the top of the page you could find dozens of posts about the subject on the following threads:

"Trans-siberian railway adventure"

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=15837&highlight=trans-siberian

"trans-siberian railway"

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=14466&highlight=trans-siberian

And other threads with related comments. Check it out.

Let's continue the conversation, rather than just repeat it.

desultude · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 12:06 am Post subject:

I have been thinking about this trip myself, but starting in Beijing and going through Ulan Bataar. It sounds like a great trip, but from Vladivostok it sounds like too much Siberia.

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

funplanet · Joined: 20 Jun 2003 Location: The new Bucheon!

I've don it twice-once thru Mongolia and the second time straight into China...

do it if you have the chance...Siberia is an absolutely fascinating part of the world...I saw Lake Baikal in the winter and the summer...incredible!

do the leg thru Mongolia...much better

good travelin'!

noelinkorea · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: Shinchon, Seoul

Hey there!
I went there last year - actually twice - and continued through to the other side of Russia. I stayed on the train though (I only visited Vladivostok the first time). It was cheap - if you're going in spring/summer you can go third class, otherwise it's standard class. It's quite fun, though I hope you speak Russian...can't think what else to sa except that I got a cheaper (and leagl) ticket off a Russian mafioso at the Vladivostok station (employees get cheaper tickets, andhe just 'happened' to be able to get me a cheaper one...I went with him, so as not to lose hold of my passport). I could probably tell you more, only I can't think what to say right now...ask if you have more questions! Also, a ship goes regularly from Sokcho (which I took the second time I went - thei first time I went from NE China through to Russia). Bear in mind that whether you go over land or sea, the distance to actually get to Vladivostok to start off with is quite far - several hours at the least after crossing the border...by bus. I could provide you with some legitimate hotel names. Also, you need to be invited in to the country...there is one (somehwta pricey) hotel in Vladivostok that will do it - but they're rather messy - often the hotel people require that you reserve your hotels across the country...not worth going through them in that case....Good luck!

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

This does sound interesting. I'm not planning a trip anytime soon (Maybe I'll do it as a last hurrah for when I am finally done with Asia and want to go into Eastern Europe), but how much does it cost, and how long does it take, and what's the general idea? Are you stuck on a train for hours at a time? Do you buy a number of tickets so you can stopover somewhere and poke around, or are the stopovers prescheduled?

Blue Flower · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 11:05 pm Post subject:

This is actually quite timely, as friends and I are gonna do this next year. Sounds like it's gonna be awesome.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 2:34 am Post subject:

I've always wanted to do the Trans-Siberian railway, but it seems like something I could do when I'm in my fifties. I worry it might be just too cushy a tourist trip for my tastes these days.

Roughing it, going off the beaten path, or at least onto rougher paths, appeals right now. While I'm still young enough to do it.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Preparing for that trip to the South Pole, VI? Dogsled is it? Wink

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

i bet ya love replying to the exact same thread in 2 different forums huh zed Laughing

funplanet · Joined: 20 Jun 2003 Location: The new Bucheon!

the first time I did the trip from Moscow to Bejing cost only 15$ (1991) and the second time, in 1998, nearly 350$-but worth every ruble!!

yes, speaking Russian will get you a much better deal sometimes..the mafia tickets are usually "quasi-legal"...you may or may not get thrown off the train. I use to buy them to travel from St. Pete to Moscow all the time and got caught several times but usually meant paying a "fine" Very Happy

to the conductoress...

DO THE TRIP!!!

bibimbap · Joined: 14 Dec 2003

Anyone know about the ferry from Incheon to Beijing (or that port city south of Beijing?)

seems like the ideal way to begin this journey.

Anyone have a contact number? OR a line on prices?

peppermint · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:35 pm Post subject:

I found this link which should help. It's got a schedule and contact info, but no prices- sorry.