Traveling with the Transsiberian railroad as a tourist

[Serb]

Originally posted by 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.

In this case, Spring and Autumn.

[Harovan]

I have been in Novosibirsk in February 1994 for a few weeks. Nice weather they have.

[VetLegion]

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

What Germans won't do to make it feel like their country is as big as Russia

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by Serb

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.

Wow! That's really not expensive. I can buy a ticket that is valid for a month, right? I mean, if I want to stay in some city, the ticket is still valid?

BTW. I was joking about 10000 Euros, I'm a student with modest income

[Harovan]

Originally posted by VetLegion
What Germans won't do to make it feel like their country is as big as Russia

We tried it with other means in the past, but that didn't work.

[Serb]

Originally posted by VetLegion


What Germans won't do to make it feel like their country is as big as Russia

I think it's not about distance, but about life standards. Everything is way cheaper in Russia (except Moscow) in comparison with EU.

[VetLegion]

Are Bank Machines widespread along the route? They accept the standard cards? Cirrus Maestro? MasterCard?

[Serb]

Originally posted by VetLegion


Wow! That's really not expensive. I can buy a ticket that is valid for a month, right? I mean, if I want to stay in some city, the ticket is still valid?

Sorry, but I don't think so. Trains stop at big stations for a 10-20 minutes, if you are late, it's your own trouble.
What I meant that on your way to Beijing (since there is no direct train from Moscow to Chinese capital, afaik) you have to make a change somewhere (like in Irkutsk, f.e. according to your map) and in such big Russian city you can use your credit cards to get cash, so there is no need to take all your money with you.

BTW. I was joking about 10000 Euros, I'm a student with modest income

And I thought you are Gates or something.

[Dinner]

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?

The Travel Channal had a special on this not to long ago. Apparently it is a very long, very slow processes with little to see along the way and lots of crooks waiting to steal everything from you. Supposedly a favorate tactic, tried twice on the film crew, was to get cute girls who offer to drink with the guys and give them drugged liquor. If you drink it then you walk up missing everything of value.

They did say Lake Bikal was supposed to be really cool but that Soviet era factories polluted the hell out of large sections of the area.

[Dinner]

I am kind of jealous. It would be cool to take two months off vist western Europe then hope on the trans-siberian railroad to Beijing.

[Serb]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Are Bank Machines widespread along the route? They accept the standard cards? Cirrus Maestro?

Cirrus what? Sorry, I bet that kind of crap you can find only in Moscow.

MasterCard?

VISA and MasterCard are the most widespread here.
Anyhow consult your bank before the trip.

[VetLegion]

The Travel Channal had a special on this not to long ago. Apparently it is a very long, very slow processes with little to see along the way and lots of crooks waiting to steal everything from you. Supposedly a favorate tactic, tried twice on the film crew, was to get cute girls who offer to drink with the guys and give them drugged liquor. If you drink it then you walk up missing everything of value.

This would be a problem. How to distinguish crook-women from the normal women?

[Harovan]

Originally posted by VetLegion
This would be a problem. How to distinguish crook-women from the normal women?

That's easy. Feel them up. The crook women don't shave their pubic hair.

[Saras]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph


That's easy. Feel them up. The crook women don't shave their pubic hair.

yea that will help you make friends and influence people

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph


That's easy. Feel them up. The crook women don't shave their pubic hair.

Thanks, I'll try that