How Transsib
The Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the most famous train journeys in the world. For me it was the highlight of the three months I spent in Russia. I traveled in the reverse direction, from Vladivostok to Moscow (most people in Moscow starting) and walked slowly, almost a month to take the journey to accomplish and to stop on the way in five cities.
Get route
The traditional Trans-Siberian route extends 9288 km between Moscow and Vladivostok. Two variants are also very popular: the Trans-Mongolian (between Moscow and Beijing via Mongolia) and the Trans-Manchurian (between Moscow and Beijing, bypassing Mongolia). All three routes take 6-7 days if non-stop walk.
start Most travelers their trip to Moscow and go east. If you are anxious to communicate with locals, or to improve your knowledge of Russian, you should begin in Vladivostok or Beijing and to the west. You are likely to encounter less tourists and locals who just take the train as a means of transport, not as an adventure.
Beijing is probably an attractive bookend on the journey as Vladivostok and has probably easier connections -. the best options are either Vladivostok to Moscow (about $ 250) or by ferry to Japan or South Korea ($ 400 and up) fly
chances are, you need a visa for travel or more of Russia, Mongolia and China, so that factor can make in the route for you the most sense. Rules vary by nationality, so I suggest you the Consulate website for your home country several months to visit in advance to learn what is necessary. For more on my experience to get a Russian visa, you will learn how to obtain a Russian visa.
Where to stop on the way?
Unless you love the idea, a week directly to one of the outputs train, I recommend on the way to make a few stops. One of the best things about the Trans-Siberian is the ability to view you more of Russia, has only Moscow and / or St. Petersburg. The most interesting people I met and the best experiences I had on the way came, not on the train, but during my stations which include the following:
Kazan
Technically a detour from the Trans-Siberian route, every Russian I met ooh-ed and aah-ed, when I told them that I cried in this 1000 year old city to stop, how beautiful it is , Ignoring the foot of snow I trudged through while I was in the city and the cloudy sky that loomed over me, I have to agree.
Kazan Kremlin is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and in my opinion much more character than the Kremlin in Moscow. A large mosque dominates the scene, the main street is lined with pine and suppliers gather along the Kremlin wall, selling mostly Islamic and Tatar-themed souvenirs. I spent several hours there, including a visit to the Museum of Islam, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Museum of Natural History.
Yekaterinburg
Ekaterinburg best known as the place where the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family murdered in 1918. My fascination with imperial Russian history were made it a must-see - especially Ganina Yama, the place where their bodies were discarded. Well hallowed ground is considered seven chapels were built on the site, one for each member of the royal family. I was from a photo-display the family affected in their daily lives is the most - it personalized really the tragedy of her death
Krasnoyarsk
The city itself is. quite boring, but my reason was scattered for stopping the Stolby Nature reserve, a collection of fascinating volcanic rock pillars in the wooded hills outside the city to visit. Visiting the end of November I was surprisingly not alone in braving subzero temperatures and sometimes wander knee-deep snow to all the rock formations. My guide, Vitaly, assuming sometimes inappropriate stories about the rock, a much needed hand as we climbed a couple for an incredible view, and brandy for heat, before we started!
Irkutsk
Irkutsk Baikal provides a starting point to see, the deepest lake in the world. If you have little time to plan a day trip to Listvyanka, a small town on the shore of Lake Baikal, and about 0 minutes from Irkutsk.
If you have at least 3 days, Olkhon, the largest island in the lake, is a must. The main town, Khuzhir, will take you back decades with sandy gravel roads and cows through the streets. The journey is half the fun - I have the six-hour shared marshrutka (mini van) trip to the island with a nice Belgian couple, a few babushkas and a large Russian man vodka chugging from a bottle in his jacket stowed.
Once in Khuzhir, the couple and I split the cost of a van and driver for hire to take us around the island for an afternoon. Dipping my hand in the near frozen lake, gliding on the ice that formed on its banks and to play in fresh snow at the north end of the island provided some of my best memories of my whole time in Russia.
Ulan Ude
Only an eight-hour train ride from Irkutsk and not far from the border of Mongolia is Ulan Ude is the capital of Buryatia, home to the Russia's largest Native Buryats. While I had a day only and a half there, I made the best of it, the outdoor museum visit outside the city to stop on the history of Buryatia (some explanations in English) in a small museum, and enjoy the sunset from one of the highest points in Ulan Ude.
Ulan Ude is also a center of Buddhism in Russia. I hired a guide (about 12 $ / hour four hours) to accompany Buddhist monastery me in Ivolga, about 40 minutes outside the city. She taught me to be the basics of Buddhism and a Buryat, she gave me an insight into their culture.
book your tickets
If you on a tight schedule, it makes sense to book your tickets in advance. Tickets can be up to 45 days in advance and many travel agencies, this can be issued to you, do. I used real Russia and they also highly recommended - they can also help with the purchase of an invitation letter for visa purposes. It is also possible to book online at www.rzd.ru or www.poezda.net if you can read a little Russian.
For flexible travelers, you can purchase your tickets at the stations as you go along. But be prepared for the possibility that the train you want may already be sold out, and do not be surprised if none of the cashiers do not speak English. And plans are posted on the stations of Moscow, not on site, time
Most trains offer three classes of service risers .: spalny vagon (1st class), kupe (2nd class) and platskartny (3rd class). Spalny vagon subjects have only two berths, with two beds in the lower level. Kupe are four-berth compartments, consisting of two upper and two lower berths. Finally platskartny are open six-berth compartments with upper and lower berths. Both spalny vagon and kupe have doors to lock the while platskartny compartments are open -. This makes third class a bit more social, but a little less certain
How Much Should You Budget?
How much do you spend on your train journey mentioned above on all factors depend, but I'd say about $ 1,000 for tickets, accommodation and food is a good starting point.
, for example by real-Russia Booking, a kupe ticket from Moscow to Vladivostok could about $ 00 during platskartny run would be less than half, at from $ 360 , On the other hand, on prime splurging would cost nearly $ 1,800. Prices for non-stop trip to Beijing are similar. You can save up to 33% by. One of the low-grade passenger trains instead of cosmetically beautiful firmenny trains
Please note that travel in separate legs can add busting some additional cost to your trip. For example, making stops in both Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk on the way to Vladivostok would the total to $ 1,130 for kupe increase .
price can also vary from day and time of departure, so if you are on a tight budget, you should play with the lists in order and note that not all types of trains on all routes available stand or run on all days. Russian Railways offered a sale this fall, offered at least 30 days in advance booked fares, but also imposed a 5% penalty on purchased tickets less than 10 days before departure to 50% off. Keep an eye out for similar deals in the future.
What to expect on the train
When I climbed my first train, I felt a little lost. All around me seemed to have their routines down from the clothes she changed in and the food they set out neatly on the little table, on the way they made their bed effortlessly. I just tried to observe and follow their lead, and by the time I went on my second leg, I felt like an old pro
toilets .: each car shortly before, during and stops shortly after most station (and border crossings, if you are in China or Mongolia road) has a toilet at each end, and they will be banned. The toilet doors usually have a schedule these closures shows. Despite my fears, they were all kept clean and well stocked with toilet paper stocked
food and water .: There appears a samovar with boiling water found on one end, the car, usually against the compartment companion. If you bring your own water bottle, you can fill it up with water from the companion. While food for purchase in the dining car and of providers available, the Halls roaming, it can be expensive and the selection may be limited. You can be better to bring your own provisions from, especially for a trip of several days
Electronic .: outlets for charging phones cell and the like are available standing hallways. Most cars have folding seats, so you can sit with your device, as it is charging, although it was not uncommon for people to leave their unattended hanging.
During my time on the train, I shared my kupe compartment with Russians of businessmen up and babushkas to members of a volleyball team of girls. Some of my "roommate" on board and went straight to sleep; others were to travel with people in other subjects, and spent most of their time elsewhere. A man stood in the hallway for hours at a time, staring at the passing scenery. Only a few really wanted to talk ..
A Babushka flashed her gold teeth as she rambled nonstop any who would listen. An orphanage teacher was wonderful patient as I practiced my Russian with her about our two days together, while an engineer was concerned his English to try my dictionary flipped through and ask me carefully worded questions. None were looking for Party - the drink of choice for most was tea, not vodka, which is many of the stories you hear contrary on the Trans-Siberian
By the end of my trip, I was exhausted. relieved satisfied and very grateful. My fears were unfounded before the trip, the people that I met some of the friendliest were in my three months in Russia, and the experience was unforgettable. And back in Moscow, there to share my stories with friends, I began to appreciate the fact that I, as most Russians are seen more of Russia just in a month ever see in life.
Katie Aune is a Minnesota native and former lawyer who recently left their work in nonprofit fundraising per year to spend freely and travel through 15 countries of the former Soviet Union. You can follow their adventures on Katie Aune or on Twitter @katieaune.
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