Traveling with the Transsiberian railroad as a tourist

[VetLegion]

Did anyone do it?

I was thinking of doing it for the Beijing Olympics in 2008., but I don't think I'm going to wait that much. I'll probably do it sooner.

Anyone have any advice? Is it a normal ride now or an adventure ride? Are there any Indians attacking the trains? Is there anything to see in Russian cities along the route? How about Mongolia?

[Harovan]

You might not get very far, for when Serb sees you, he will drown you in vodka.

[Seeker]

Be careful, I hear that the russians will try to get you drunk, and when you wake up you'll find yourself kidnapped and made into a Siberian Ass Slave in a brothel.

[VetLegion]

Seeker, personal expirience or...? You sound pretty certain

[Saras]

Re: Traveling with the Transsiberian railroad as a tourist

Originally posted by VetLegion
Did anyone do it?

I was thinking of doing it for the Beijing Olympics in 2008., but I don't think I'm going to wait that much. I'll probably do it sooner.

Anyone have any advice? Is it a normal ride now or an adventure ride? Are there any Indians attacking the trains? Is there anything to see in Russian cities along the route? How about Mongolia?

My buddy went on a honeymoon to Mongolia via Transsib railway. Trip of a lifetime, he said, but he's an exotic travel freak

[Saras]

Plus it was a honeymoon

[Serb]

Re: Traveling with the Transsiberian railroad as a tourist

Originally posted by VetLegion
Did anyone do it?

I did several times.
Guess what?
I'm still alive

[Serb]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
You might not get very far, for when Serb sees you, he will drown you in vodka.

I doubt.
It's true we had a Vodka lake here, but then evil, evil, Finns stole it.

[VetLegion]

How expensive is it?

[Serb]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Seeker, personal expirience or...? You sound pretty certain

I bet it was his personal expaininass.

[VetLegion]

Serb, what is the best time of year to travel? I don't like cold, but I like mosquitos and assorted animals even less.

[VetLegion]

What about security? I rarely travel with less than 10000 Euros on me. Will I be safe if I count them in the coupe?

[Serb]

Originally posted by VetLegion
How expensive is it?

Last time for me it was for free, since back then I was a railroad engineer (railroad personal have such bonus once a year). Today, considering the local prices, I believe for you it wouldn't be expesive at all. The average railraod ticket from Moscow to Vladivostok costs someting like 170 Euros.

[Harovan]

That's about the same we pay for a ticket in the Trans German Railroad from Hamburg to Munich. (exaggerated, but not much)

[Serb]

Originally posted by VetLegion
What about security? I rarely travel with less than 10000 Euros on me. Will I be safe if I count them in the coupe?

I doubt.
I doubt you will feel safe in any place of the world while having so much cash in your pockets.
Seriously speaking, as long as you don't demostrate you money to anyone, you'll be ok. Personally I would never take so much cash with me in a such trip. IT IS A GREAT RISK.
Use American Express, VISA or something like that to get small portion of cash when you need it. One thousand Euros is more than enough for that kind of trip. Still, don't show it to anyone. It's the first rule and it's for your own security.
If you want real safety - fly a plane.
Counting 10000 Euros in a coupe where absolutely unknown to you people could see you money - it's a pretty bad idea. I don't mean you'll be robbed 100%, but such silly action increase the probability of that for sure.