Comments on: Why You Should Travel Independently on the Trans Siberian Railway http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/ Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:28:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Carlo Alcos http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-4572 Carlo Alcos Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:20:42 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-4572 Hi Tig, well, from what I've read, May-Sept is the peak season (I traveled it in Oct). I am sure you will always be able to get onward fares, but you might have to wait an extra day or two, so if you really need to be somewhere then it might be a good idea to pre-book that particular leg of the journey. We spent one month in Russia and we started in St. Petersburg and took a sidetrip a bit north. It really depends what you want to do. If you just want to take the train straight through to Moscow (highly unrecommended), then I believe it's a 6 day journey. If you want to make a few stops for a night or two in some of the cities along the way, then of course you need longer. Check out <a href="http://matadortrips.com/trans-siberian-sidetrips-how-to-break-your-train-ride/" rel="nofollow">my companion article</a> for some possible sidetrips. As far as I know, the max length of a tourist visa is one month, so get your hands on one of those to keep your options open. I think the possibility of theft on the trains is the same as anywhere else, just be mindful and don't flash your stuff around. A dSLR would be fine to bring, we met lots of travelers with them (and wish we'd bought one beforehand!). We carried a laptop with us and sometimes I would do some writing while in bed (of course, in the more private 4-bed kupe berths, NOT platzkartny). Happy planning! Hi Tig, well, from what I’ve read, May-Sept is the peak season (I traveled it in Oct). I am sure you will always be able to get onward fares, but you might have to wait an extra day or two, so if you really need to be somewhere then it might be a good idea to pre-book that particular leg of the journey.

We spent one month in Russia and we started in St. Petersburg and took a sidetrip a bit north. It really depends what you want to do. If you just want to take the train straight through to Moscow (highly unrecommended), then I believe it’s a 6 day journey. If you want to make a few stops for a night or two in some of the cities along the way, then of course you need longer. Check out my companion article for some possible sidetrips.

As far as I know, the max length of a tourist visa is one month, so get your hands on one of those to keep your options open. I think the possibility of theft on the trains is the same as anywhere else, just be mindful and don’t flash your stuff around. A dSLR would be fine to bring, we met lots of travelers with them (and wish we’d bought one beforehand!). We carried a laptop with us and sometimes I would do some writing while in bed (of course, in the more private 4-bed kupe berths, NOT platzkartny). Happy planning!

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]]> By: Tig http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-4558 Tig Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:01:23 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-4558 Fantastic article Carlo! It's great to read a really positive review that shows issues with communicating as part of the experience rather than a deterrent. I've got my heart set on going Beijing to Moscow next May, possibly June (depends on the $$!), I'm so excited! I agree, I'd like to buy tickets as I go rather than prebook but do you think it will be too busy at that time of year? Also how long do you think you need to do the trip? Oh and is there a lot of theft on the trains? eg. would you reccomend leaving expensive DSLR cameras at home? Thanks! Fantastic article Carlo! It’s great to read a really positive review that shows issues with communicating as part of the experience rather than a deterrent.
I’ve got my heart set on going Beijing to Moscow next May, possibly June (depends on the $$!), I’m so excited! I agree, I’d like to buy tickets as I go rather than prebook but do you think it will be too busy at that time of year? Also how long do you think you need to do the trip? Oh and is there a lot of theft on the trains? eg. would you reccomend leaving expensive DSLR cameras at home?

Thanks!

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]]> By: Alice http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-2801 Alice Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:04:37 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-2801 Great article Carlo. I've always wanted to realise a train journey which Ive never experienced yet. Im very interested in planning for one for my holiday this year, however its not easy to get people committed. Am living in HK and wonder if there's any adventurous travellers in the middle of similar situations too? Great article Carlo. I’ve always wanted to realise a train journey which Ive never experienced yet. Im very interested in planning for one for my holiday this year, however its not easy to get people committed. Am living in HK and wonder if there’s any adventurous travellers in the middle of similar situations too?

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]]> By: Great Ocean Walk http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-2789 Great Ocean Walk Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:56:49 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-2789 We traveled on the Trans Siberian back in 1997. It was a great experience booking in Moscow and then trying to get visas at the Mongolian embassy. We paid far less than every one else on the train. It is a must do trip and we will do the trip again. Love buying food, beer and vodka from every train stop along the way. I will do it again but we have our own travel company at the moment. We traveled on the Trans Siberian back in 1997. It was a great experience booking in Moscow and then trying to get visas at the Mongolian embassy. We paid far less than every one else on the train. It is a must do trip and we will do the trip again. Love buying food, beer and vodka from every train stop along the way.

I will do it again but we have our own travel company at the moment.

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]]> By: Carlo Alcos http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-2465 Carlo Alcos Thu, 14 May 2009 22:24:18 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-2465 Thanks for the comment Troy. Just to clarify, because there is a common misconception about the Trans-Siberian...it's not a train. It's just the route. So yes, there are lots of trains that go along this route, some more regional, some more long distance. Some are nicer than others. If you weren't planning on making stops and going straight through you'd have to take one of the few that run the whole route. But if you're planning stops in different cities you have your choice of a number of trains. Patzkart for the entire trip?! Hehe...I totally agree that you can and will probably have the most interesting experiences that way...I wouldn't do it the whole way, but all the power to you if you do! :) Thanks for the comment Troy. Just to clarify, because there is a common misconception about the Trans-Siberian…it’s not a train. It’s just the route. So yes, there are lots of trains that go along this route, some more regional, some more long distance. Some are nicer than others.

If you weren’t planning on making stops and going straight through you’d have to take one of the few that run the whole route. But if you’re planning stops in different cities you have your choice of a number of trains.

Patzkart for the entire trip?! Hehe…I totally agree that you can and will probably have the most interesting experiences that way…I wouldn’t do it the whole way, but all the power to you if you do! :)

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]]> By: Troy http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-2463 Troy Thu, 14 May 2009 21:24:27 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-2463 Take the trip a step further and completely avoid the Trans-Siberian....there are cheaper regional trains that ply the same route. The ultimate Russian adventure is to do the whole 9000+ kms in PLATSKART. The best Russian invention since...well...since...uummm...borsht? Anyways, PLATSKART is an entire wagon without compartments. People hanging and sleeping everywhere. Might sound a little off, but it is easily the best way to meet people, otherwise you may spend 7 days couped up with 2 or 3 people whose pictures are hanging in post offices around the world. Take the trip a step further and completely avoid the Trans-Siberian….there are cheaper regional trains that ply the same route. The ultimate Russian adventure is to do the whole 9000+ kms in PLATSKART. The best Russian invention since…well…since…uummm…borsht?

Anyways, PLATSKART is an entire wagon without compartments. People hanging and sleeping everywhere. Might sound a little off, but it is easily the best way to meet people, otherwise you may spend 7 days couped up with 2 or 3 people whose pictures are hanging in post offices around the world.

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]]> By: Matt http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-1268 Matt Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:39:51 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-1268 Great article. The Trans Sib is one of the best journeys I've ever undertaken and should be on every travellers Must Do list Thanks Carlos Great article. The Trans Sib is one of the best journeys I've ever undertaken and should be on every travellers Must Do list Thanks Carlos

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]]> By: Erica http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-1267 Erica Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:26:15 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-1267 I think the Trans Siberian Railway would be great. I was wanting to do it this summer, but with the economy the way it is it would cost much more than I first estimated. If anyone can figure out a cheaper way to get there (from the U.S.A) and wants to go, I'm totally in! I think the Trans Siberian Railway would be great. I was wanting to do it this summer, but with the economy the way it is it would cost much more than I first estimated. If anyone can figure out a cheaper way to get there (from the U.S.A) and wants to go, I'm totally in!

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]]> By: Marie http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-1266 Marie Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:34:24 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-1266 Hi Carlos, Fantastic article - very informative and reassuring that my dream to do just this is realistic! Sometimes it's worth following your gut instinct and doing things you're pretty sure will turn out ok, even if others tell you it's not possible. That's when the most fulfilling adventures happen. Hi Carlos, Fantastic article – very informative and reassuring that my dream to do just this is realistic! Sometimes it's worth following your gut instinct and doing things you're pretty sure will turn out ok, even if others tell you it's not possible. That's when the most fulfilling adventures happen.

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]]> By: James http://matadortrips.com/why-you-should-travel-independently-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/comment-page-1/#comment-1265 James Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:14:59 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=154#comment-1265 Thanks for this post man!! I plan on taking the TSR next October. Thanks for this post man!! I plan on taking the TSR next October.

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