Korean Job Discussion Forums

[benharper]

Hey all,

Anyone out there done the trans-Siberian, either from Beijing or Vladivostok to Moscow? I am interested in doing it on my way to Italy at the end of my contract. Any info is greatly appreciated, specifically, how much, and is the experience worth the time it takes? What visas are involved?

Thanks, K.

[dulouz]

Hi,

I did a bunch of daydream planning. LP has a guide. You can take a ferry from Sokcho to Vlad and the trip across Russia cost about $125.00 for the ticket. If you don't get off the the train the trip will take about 7 days

[JacktheCat]

That's next summer's plan; Vladivostok to St. Petersburg by the Trans-Siberian. Will wait to see if I have enough money and time to continue on to London via rail.

If you take the boat from Sokcho to Vlad, all you'll need is a Russian visa. And if you dont take the super-expensive tourist train cars and live like a Russian (well at least a well off Russian) you should be able to get by for under $1500 US. Figure on at least two and half weeks to enjoy the journey and see the sights.

[benharper]

So, two vastly different prices given. Which is it? I don't plan to use the trip as a chance to tour Russia. I just want an (possibly cheaper)alternative to flying. From the limited research that I have done thus far, $125 sounds too low, while $1500 sounds unreasonably high. I just want Vlad to Moscow in the shortest possible time, but I don't want to fly. My ultimate destination is Florence, so I won't be spending any time in Moscow. In this case, the train sounds like a good idea, because it will give me the opportunity to see a limited amount of a country that I probably would not go to otherwise. What are your thoughts?

[mithridates]

This is my favourite site for info on trains:

http://www.seat61.com/

[JacktheCat]

Interesting website there mith, thanks a lot. I've added it to my travel files. I love trains.


As to the OP's question:

[mithridates]

Ewan MacGregor and his friend made the trip on their motorcycles last year and wrote a book about it. I bought it for my dad last time I was in Canada. Then somebody came in and BENT THE SPINE.

[Swiss James]

why would you care if the spine was bent, you can still read it?

(also, bump)

[blunder1983]

My russian friend told me it was cheaper than that when I looked into it. Granted this was Moscow to Lake Bakilai but it was only gonna cost $80

Things I've been told from numerous russian friends about the trip

Further along (towards China) foreigners are rarer and both suspiscion of you and language issues increase.

JUST being on the train gets boring for a lot of people (7days straight is a lot to take)

The scenery is indescribably beautiful (especially through the mountains)

The cost of all things diminishes to the point of inconsequentialism after you leave the Moscow area (kinda like Thai prices)

This was a few years ago, and it is all through second hand accounts but food for thought.

Personally I think its a fantastic trip, cheap, your in a perfect position for it and if your willing to spend a little more the memories of what is simply a long trip will surpass many normal holidays.

I'm all jealous now!

[Swiss James]

do you think doing that trip in February is suicidal (temperature wise I mean)?

[Occidental-Tourist]

I took the Trans-Siberian in Feb of this year. Started in Beijing, stopped off in Mongolia for 10 days (highly reccommended). From Mongolia into Siberia, stopped off at Lake Baikal/Irkutsk. Again would suggest that this is well worthwhile.

Irkutsk to Moscow took 4 days, bearable as you meet so many interesting characters on the train. Never felt the language was a problem, some passengers had basic english ability, phrasebook and gestures did for the rest of the time.

Stayed in Moscow for a week, then St Petersburg for a similar amount of time. St Petes to Talinn, Estonia where I continued by coach to Paris and then the Eurostar under the channel.

I spent a month in China/Tibet prior to beginning the rail trip (flew 6 times) and the whole trip took 8 weeks. In total I spent about $2000.

Beijing - Ulan Bator was about $70
Ulan Bator - Irkustk was about $12
Irkutsk - Moscow was $230
Moscow - St Petes was about $60


On all trains I travelled 'Kupe' which is the middle price option. Spalny - the first class is about 2.5 times as expensive, Plaskartny the lower class is about 2.5 times cheaper.

Kupe cabins sleep four people on a bunk bed like arrangement.

The cold wasn't too bad, very frigid in Mongolia and Siberia, but crisp dry kind of cold without any damp. Trains if anything were too hot.

[soviet_man]

[JacktheCat]

[soviet_man]