Trans-siberian
- Thread starter tony_d
- Start date
Conor
Elite Member
- Nov 7, 2012
- 3,621
- 6,217
I've never heard of it. However a quick Google search yielded the following, which you might find useful: http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm
tony_d
Elite Member
- Jun 22, 2013
- 2,673
- 3,294
Yeah, thanks. I've been through many of those sites - looking for 'personal' recommendations/suggestions
lancis
Elite Member
- Jul 31, 2010
- 1,682
- 2,443
There are a bunch of bloggers that did the journey. You can get a pretty good idea of whats ahead.
Here is one: http://dereklow.co/my-journey-across-russia-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/
I considered to do it once as well, then watched some video (made by one of such a bloggers) and the romantics was gone.
Here is one: http://dereklow.co/my-journey-across-russia-on-the-trans-siberian-railway/
I considered to do it once as well, then watched some video (made by one of such a bloggers) and the romantics was gone.
tony_d
Elite Member
- Jun 22, 2013
- 2,673
- 3,294
Yup, I'm rapidly coming to that same conclusion. I've been 'on it' for 24 hours, reading, watching, etc, and it looks less enjoyable than it seems before you know anything about it.
The food is bad, nobody speaks English, the cabins (even upgraded ones) are absolutely tiny - smaller than a single airline seat, no showers, it's cold, and you need to PAY for that?! Wtf.
SkyrocketSEO
BANNED
- Nov 5, 2012
- 4,614
- 12,219
It is one of those once in a lifetime trips. Never done it but I hope will do it one day.
On the other hand you can always go http://www.transsiberian-travel.com/
Actually food in those Russian/Mongolian/Chinese trains does nto look bad at all, it is the part of experience. You will be eating real Chinese and Mongolian food, not something that you can buy down the corner.
On the other hand you can always go http://www.transsiberian-travel.com/
Last edited:
laowai
Power Member
- Feb 27, 2011
- 523
- 185
The food is bad, nobody speaks English, the cabins (even upgraded ones) are absolutely tiny - smaller than a single airline seat, no showers, it's cold, and you need to PAY for that?! Wtf.
I have done the trip around 8 years ago. Most what you said is true, its not any luxury trip as you can expect. We shared 4 person cabin with locals, for example few days with ural mountains coal miners who were drunk the whole trip. First class cabins had showers others like ours not. In summer time its hot as it can get over 40C on Siberia at summer time. We didn't ate train food instead we had our own food from Moscow. It was too dangerous to get out to buy food when the train stopped as you never knew how long its going to stay on the station. They speak mainly russian on the train some can speak few words English.
Its once a life time trip which I highly recommend.
I have done the trip around 8 years ago. Most what you said is true, its not any luxury trip as you can expect. We shared 4 person cabin with locals, for example few days with ural mountains coal miners who were drunk the whole trip. First class cabins had showers others like ours not. In summer time its hot as it can get over 40C on Siberia at summer time. We didn't ate train food instead we had our own food from Moscow. It was too dangerous to get out to buy food when the train stopped as you never knew how long its going to stay on the station. They speak mainly russian on the train some can speak few words English.
Its once a life time trip which I highly recommend.
Capo Dei Capi
BANNED
- Oct 23, 2014
- 752
- 7,253
I've heard about it before, I'd like to do it in a one big train trip from west europe to east china.
theconscience
Regular Member
- May 16, 2014
- 311
- 30
I did a trans but not a Siberian ))
Only kidding people, totally straight here
))Only kidding people, totally straight here
Capo Dei Capi
BANNED
- Oct 23, 2014
- 752
- 7,253
I did a trans but not a Siberian
Only kidding people, totally straight here
You can still be straight and have fun with trannies.
tony_d
Elite Member
- Jun 22, 2013
- 2,673
- 3,294
When I was young, it was a trip I wanted to make. Growing up I decided I love comfort better and ditched it. If you're in the traveling age and can take some pain with a smile, I recommend it
Apparently I've passed that tipping point too. I just couldn't find anything appealing about being cramped in those conditions, for days, if not weeks, at a time.
Perhaps if one had an entire carriage to themselves, with living area, bedroom suite, kitchenette, etc, that would be ok. But not as it stands.
Capo Dei Capi
BANNED
- Oct 23, 2014
- 752
- 7,253
It would probably be more fun to do the Peking to Paris Rally
http://www.endurorally.com/pages/the-peking-to-paris-motor-challenge-2016
http://www.endurorally.com/pages/the-peking-to-paris-motor-challenge-2016
tony_d
Elite Member
- Jun 22, 2013
- 2,673
- 3,294
I agree entirely.
I've been to meetups with Greg from Rally Tours NZ, who does a trip infrequently. (When searching for his website, I saw that they're doing one this year.)
It's a bit more expensive than a rail crossing though - by the time you setup your car and pay everything that needs to be paid along the way, you're up for about $60-$70k, assuming you already have a good Land Cruiser, which I do. That's an all inclusive cost though - diesel along the way, shipping your car to the start and end points, all paperwork and permits, accommodation, etc.
It's not the type of trip I'd like to do with my wife or family though... I'd much prefer to do it alone. So when I can keep my wife elsewhere entertained for 70 days, I'm off
It just seems like there's something that would be lost about the wilderness of the Mongolian plains if one has a nagging wife beside him.