I am planning to do the Trans-Sib this August from St. Petersbug to Beijing.
I will stay for a short time in St. Petersbug, Moscow and Baijing and for a longer time in Irkustk/Lisvianka and Ulaan Bator. Could someone tell me how can i best take advantage from my short time.
Also is there any particular security dangers?

Hi,

You should look at the Lonely Planet Thorntree...as that's full of tips from people who've done it...and who know Russia well!

click here

Happy Trails

Philip

Hi, my friend and i are presently in the process of searching for the best/cheapest way to book moscow to beijing , similar to your itinerary. WHO did you use to get such a good price of 700 u.s. dollars? could you tell me what the website is? thanks!and have fun!

Hi,

First you should read the Trans-Siberian threads on the LP Thorntree - Click here.

In fact I have booked my tickets through G & R International in Moscow ... see the links I gave above!

I strongly suggest you read throroughly the information by Trans-Sib experts like everbrite on the LP Thorntree, plus Everbrite's own site,here.

Also, as I say above, borrow or buy the books like the Trans-Siberian handbook and LP Trans-Sib guide.

To get the best out of the trip you'd need to do your homework, and at least do a stopover at Lake Baikal nr Irkutsk as well.

Happy Trails

Philip

Photos of the 'Las Fallas' Festival from Valencia, Spain in March, 2004

[This message was edited by deadstone on January 24, 2005 at 08:38 AM.]

One more thing,

If you decide to do the standard best stopover of the trip at Lake Baikal (near Irkutsk) for some Rafting or outdoor adventures or even just some quiet time on the biggest, oldest and deepest fresh water lake on the planet, with 40% of the worlds fresh water in it...

then check out Baikalex ... I'm taking a tour with them myself on the CircumBaikal Railway like this: Irkutsk - Kultuk - Arshan - Sludyanka - Port Baikal (by CircumBaikal Railway) - Listvyanka - Irkutsk

another one is: Baikal Complex

another company for tours like that, but based in the US is Sokol Tours

Happy Trails

Philip

'Hey there's a good spot over there Neil'

Buzz Aldrin, July 1969

Photos of the 'Las Fallas' Festival from Valencia, Spain in March, 2004

Info' Links:

Skyscanner - European Budget Flight Finder

Whats On When - find festivals and go to them!

European Rail Journey Planner

BusStation.net - Buses everywhere!

HostelWorld - find and book hostels ANYWHERE!

Hi,

In Mongolia, try this backpackers hostel:
Zaya backpackers Guest House

or

Khongor Guest House

Happy Trails

Philip

'Hey there's a good spot over there Neil'

Buzz Aldrin, July 1969

Photos of the 'Las Fallas' Festival from Valencia, Spain in March, 2004

Info' Links:

Skyscanner - European Budget Flight Finder

Whats On When - find festivals and go to them!

European Rail Journey Planner

BusStation.net - Buses everywhere!

HostelWorld - find and book hostels ANYWHERE!

Hi,

you should get or read both of these books:

* Trans-Siberian Handbook by Bryn Thomas
* Lonely Planet - Trans-Siberian Railway

also, see these websites:

Seat 61 - Trans-Sib info

Everbrite - Trans-Sib

G & R International in Moscow - I booked through them!

MonkeyShrine

I'm taking it this September, the whole trip Moscow to Beijing, first class with stop-overs in Mongolia and at Lake Baikal nr Irkustk for less than $700 ... not bad !

Happy Trails

Philip

'Hey there's a good spot over there Neil'

Buzz Aldrin, July 1969

Photos of the 'Las Fallas' Festival from Valencia, Spain in March, 2004

Info' Links:

Skyscanner - European Budget Flight Finder

Whats On When - find festivals and go to them!

European Rail Journey Planner

BusStation.net - Buses everywhere!

HostelWorld - find and book hostels ANYWHERE!

i just did this trip in the summer & it was awesome...

we booked most of our russian stuff inc accomodation via www.seat61.com

look for th etransiberian link & then look for svaty veter (sp) it is the 1st in the list of russian agents you can book through...we just stayed on the train from moscow to beijing & it only cost us £160 each! going second class is the best thing to do as 1st class get the meals included & the food is horrible & the food we bought from the russian women & men at the stations was fresh, yummy & cheap

twisterlady did you do what we did and go on the front of the engine around Lake Baikal for 6 hours on the Circum-Baikal Railway?

It was fantastic, and for $10 an unbeatable experience!

Photos of the 'Las Fallas' Festival from Valencia, Spain in March, 2004

Info' Links:

Skyscanner - European Budget Flight Finder

Whats On When - find festivals and go to them!

European Rail Journey Planner

BusStation.net - Buses everywhere!

HostelWorld - find and book hostels ANYWHERE!

unfortunatley not...we didn't have time, the schedule was way to tight...i will go back to siberia and outer mongolia and spend more time there...i just got a taste for it on our way through!

Hi twisterlady,
Did you stop in Mongolia at all? I'm going there this summer (although unfortunately not on the transiberian) and would welcome some tips!
We're also doing a stopover in Moscow - any budget hotels you could recommend? And any must see day trips from Moscow?
Cheers,
Mireia.

Hi mireia,

Unfortunatley we didn't stop off in Mongolia, when i have some money i'm heading there though to explore a bit more...it looked abstolutley awesome from the window of the train! lol

You must go to the Kremlin and Red Square in Mosocow...and also the metro stations...get a small berlitz pocket book for ideas on the best metro stations to go to! some of those are so amazing you'll be gob smacked at the detail and beauty of it!

we booked everything through www.seat61.com so don't really have much of an idea of wheres cheap and wheres not! sorry

:D

Hi! I am going from Beijing to Moscow this summer with a group of friends and we're looking at companies that obviously do train journeys that take us that direction rather than the more traditional opposite! any help on whom might be best wld be fab!

Ta nyky