Trans-Siberian Railroad

11/18/2008 1:58:43 PM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
ferruginous Regina, SK 47, joined Sep. 2008	I'm curious to know if anyone here's ever been through Siberia, or the eastern part of Russia. Awhile ago, I was reading about train journeys from Moscow, across the asian part of Russia, to the Pacific, and I've been curious about such a journey. I think it would be interesting to see this very vast part of the world which has been isolated from the rest of the world for years, by geography and politics. Would it be advisable for an outsider with no Russian-speaking ability to attempt such a journey alone? Does anyone know of anybody who's made this cross continental trip? What sorts of obstacles may be expected? Meet singles at DateHookup.dating, we're 100% free! Join now!
11/19/2008 9:58:10 PM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
wyvernlord Chandler, AZ 47, joined Sep. 2008	I have not done it, but want too. There are some good tour companies that will include it on a tour package, but it can take time and costs are not always low. Here is one such trip that travels the length of Russia and uses the TSR as a large part of the trip. I have seen similar trips from other companies. (I just like the style of this companies tours.) http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/OSV Good luck and hope you get the chance to go.
12/8/2008 12:11:53 AM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
ferruginous Regina, SK 47, joined Sep. 2008	Thanks for the link. I looks like that company's cross-Russia railroad tour is pretty good. If I ever do get a chance to make such a trip sometime in the future I'd certainly consider the tour package they offer.
1/7/2009 2:08:15 PM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
evsavinova Laie, HI 37, joined Dec. 2008	I am Russian, and couple times in my life I have to go with a train from Vladivostok, where I am originally from, to Moscow and back to Vladivostok. Every time I went was incredible. i loved it. The only thing I can suggest is to be ready mentally to spend a week on a train. The best thing to do is to find a friend and play cards or chat all day long. Another thing, while buying a ticket, make sure you asked for "kupe" (it is a small room in a train) for 2 or 4 people. It would be easier to travel. In Far East, you won't see a lot of historic places, but broken buildings and... beautiful nature. Personally, I love it, every bit of the Far East of Russia.
1/16/2009 6:31:30 PM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
yicedawn Westminster, CO 47, joined Jan. 2009	I've never taken the train, but I've been to Kemorovo, and Tomsk. My friends (now husband and wife), have both taken the rail the length of it track. I can't wait to return and visit... I might even take a ride! You do however need to speak some Russian, or get a translator to travel with you.
1/16/2009 10:32:59 PM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
ferruginous Regina, SK 47, joined Sep. 2008	In Far East, you won't see a lot of historic places, but broken buildings and... beautiful nature. Personally, I love it, every bit of the Far East of Russia. That "beautiful nature" is part of the reason I'm intriqued by the idea of such a journey. I'm aware that much of the route through Siberia is unpopulated. It's the scenary, and the natural features, of that imensely vast and unpopulated area that I would like to see some day. You do however need to speak some Russian, or get a translator to travel with you. I don't speak any Russian, and that's a huge reason why I would be hesitant to take the journey by myself. However, I believe that it is possible to take organized tours, arrainged by western travel companies. Perhaps for the less experienced traveller, with no Russian-speaking ability, an organized tour may be the best option.
1/24/2009 11:27:29 AM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
vttraveler2 Londonderry, VT 73, joined Jan. 2009	I did not travel all the way to Vladivostok but took the Trans-Mongolian route from Moscow to Beijing with a stop-over in Mongolia. Combined with my China tour, it truly was the trip of a lifetime. Without a stop it is a five-day journey. I took a five-day side trip in Mongolia, stayed in a Ger and visited monasteries. Not speaking Russian I did not find to be a problem. Traveling single not a problem either. If you are a female you may want to consider booking a private cabin. Russians team you up with the most inappropriate travel companions otherwise. No particular obstacles other then Moscow which I found overprices, hostile and expensive. Not without adventure though. Nearly got arrested at the Kremlin and survived an attempted robbery at the train station. Don't try to use travelers checks. Don't expect too much from the food or the service on the train. It's basic. Don't use the money changers on the train either - you get ripped off. The Siberian landscape was vast and monotonous. The villages and towns are fascinating and much more modern than I expected. The stations are great for food and snack purchases. I'm thrilled I had the opportunity to do the Trans-Mongolian journey but based on that experience I would not do the much longer Vladivostok trek, unless you can interrupt it with side trips.
1/26/2009 7:44:59 PM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
ferruginous Regina, SK 47, joined Sep. 2008	Thanks for sharing your experience vttraveler. I realise that a Moscow to Bejing route is also available, and I've wondered which route (Moscow to Bejing or Moscow to Vladivostok) would bebetter if I ever did decide to make such a journey. In some ways I think the Moscow to Bejing route may be a better opportunity as it would allow the traveller to experience greater cultural diversity, travelling through Mongolia and China. But I've wondered that, for an inexperienced traveller, who may be travelling alone, with little foriegn language ability (or no foriegn language ability), if the Moscow to Vladivostok route may be better. Simply because it stays within one nation and there may be less hassles with visas and border crossings. I can understand that a person may need to break the monotony of long train travel with some sort of side trips or other distractions.
2/13/2009 4:28:24 PM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
vttraveler2 Londonderry, VT 73, joined Jan. 2009	Hello ferruginous: I don't speak Russian or Chinese either and got along fine. It's not hard to find people with at least some English and sign language goes a long way. Border crossings are not a problem; rather funny actually - a bunch of grim-looking uniformed women board the train and ransack the place, looking in walls and ceilings for contraband. If you decide on the Bejing route through Mongolia you'll need three visas. I arranged mine through an agency in NYC - no problem. Arranged my train trip and side trip in Mongolia through Gobi Expeditions. To get a feel for the Vladivostok trek, you may want to get a hold of the June 1998 National Geographic, if you don't already have it. I get copies in second hand book stores.
3/25/2009 10:05:35 PM	Trans-Siberian Railroad
ferruginous Regina, SK 47, joined Sep. 2008	Thanks for the infor vttraveler2. I'll try to find a copy of that National Geographic issue.

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