1

The URLs didn't work so see the original post for the links:

Moscow Hotels online

Someone asked me to post this and it might come in handy for someone else, here is a list of some lesser known Moscow Hotel websites & e-mails. Not a definitive list of course, and I haven't included hostels:

Mini Hotel 2nd Floor
M. Tekstilshchiki

Mini Hotel Reakomp
Protopopovskiy Per., Dom 9 Building 1
M. Prospekt Mira
Tel: +7(495) 684-2570, +7(495) 684-2556, +7(495) 684-2574
E-mail: reacomphotel@mail.ru

Roza Vetrov
M. Baumanskaya

Ulanskaya
M. Turgenevskaya, Chistie Prudy

Melodia
M. Arbatskaya

Soyuz
M. Kiyevskaya, Universitet

Elegant
Ul. Pokrovka 32
M. Chistie Prudy
Tel: +7(495) 917 25 92
E-mail: eleganthotels@rambler.ru

Satelit
M. Vykhino, Kuzminki

Avita
Ul. Inzhenernaya 4
M. Bibiryevo, Altufyevo
Tel: (495) 901-07-55, 901-21-29, 900-90-92
E-mail: avitatur@mail.ru

Mini Hotel Pogosti
Yaroslavskaya 15, building 7
M. VDNKh
Tel: (495)217-67-06
E-mail: pogosti@pogosti.ru

Sevastopol
Ul Bolshaya Yushunskaya 1a
M. Sevastopolskaya, Kakhovskaya
Tel/Fax (495) 318-94-48, 318-77-66
E-mail: hotelsevast@rambler.ru

Kometa
Prospekt Vernadskovo 16
M. Pr Vernadskovo
Tel: (495) 431-29-87
E-mail: kometa16@mail.ru

Grand Viktoria
1st Shchipkovskiy Pereulok 32
M. Paveletskaya
Tel: 236-12-20
E-mail: info@grandvictoria.ru

Mini Hotel Yakor
M. Orekhovo

Mini Hotel Ark Hotel
M. Yugo-Zapadnaya

Sultan Mini Hotel
M. Mayakovskaya

Podushkin Mini Hotels
Various locations

Kosher Mini Hotel
M. Taganskaya

Sretenskaya
M. Sukharevskaya

Aerostar
M. Dinamo

Brighton Hotel
M. Dinamo

East West
M. Tverskaya

Globus
M. VDNKh

Gostinichniy Dom
M. Planernaya

Hotel Volga
M. Sukharevskaya

Edited by: Solnishko

2

Re: laptop on Trans-Siberian

Everbrite is generally right but saying 'it is not safe' sounds a bit apocalyptic!

I did Moscow-Vladivostock in May on the number 2 (Rossiya) train and used my laptop everyday. I suspect different trains will have different layouts but in my carriage - second class - there were two electric points in the corridor.

If you are lucky, one will be right outside your compartment door, so you can see your laptop as it charges (or maybe even use it while it charges if you tuck the cable under the carpet.)

The train is as 'safe' - in all respects - as any I have travelled on, anywhere in the world. Obviously, you need to watch your belongings but the people on the train are, in my experience, very respectful.

You are in a first class carriage, too. So I guess this will be even 'safer' - fewer people, etc.

Bottom line - don't worry about it. Just use your common sense - don't leave truly valuable stuff unattended. If you go for a walk on the platform or to the dining car, take a small backpack with camera, laptop, etc. with you. But you would do this in London, New York, Paris or anywhere else, right?

The Trans-Sib is a great experience and everyone - without exception - in my experience was warm, friendly, respectful and generous. Have fun!

3

First I think I clearly stated that it is "relatively safe" to bring one but not safe to leave it to charge unattended. Personally, I would not leave my laptop to charge in the corridor. It is too easy to get distracted and suddenly discover its absence.

Ruth

4

Think it will be useful for everyone going to travel to Russia.
Russian embassy on-line locator. It has an alphabetical list of all the countries with russian embassies addresses as well as some info on different types of russian visas.
Came across while looking for the russian embassy in Belgium.

5

New Russian border zone regulations/ Altai concern

According new border zone rules (effected from Nov., 19 2008, rule #572):
http://www.fsb.ru/fsb/npd/single.htm!id%3D10434842@fsbNpa.html (in Russian only)
to visit border zone area one must send an request to the corresponding FSB (Federal Security Service) office in 1 month advance (was 1-3 days) for Russian nationals and 2 month advance (was 10 days) for foreign visitors. The forms are available (and must be filled in) in Russian only. According these forms, the group of visitors should be granted with the permit only if the request is sent by a Russian company in behalf on it's representative (and this representative must obtain the permit and accompany the team in person). In other words, the independed travels in border zones are unavailable.
For Altai mountains, the following popular destinations are situated within border zone:

Mt. Belukha area (trekking, mountaineering, horse riding)
Ukok Plateau (archaeological sites, fishing, trekking)
Altai Range, South Chuya and Katuski (Jazator village, Argut river) Ranges from the South (mountaineering, trekking, rafting, horse riding, archaeological tours)

What is possible to visit without entering the border zone (so, to prepare to the trip in a resonable advance):

Aktru area (Northern Chuya Range), Maashei Gorge and Kurai Range (trekking, mountaineering, horse riding and archaeological sightseeing) - most developed facilities for such a remote place here.
have a look for some info:
http://www.adventuretravel.ru/eng/altai/aktru.htm
http://www.adventuretravel.ru/travels/eng/trekking/altai3.htm

Chuya, middle Katun, Chulyshman, Bashkaus rivers- rafting, fishing, archaeological sightseeing
Teletskoe lake
Shavlo Lakes (Katunskiy Range)- trekking, horse riding:
http://www.adventuretravel.ru/eng/altai/Altfot1.htm

Beltyr village area (trekking, archaeological sightseeing, horse riding)

Best regards- Igor Fedyaev

6

Is there a hydrofoil between Yaroslavl and Kostroma? We read about it but someone told us it didn't exist.

Thanks

7

There used to be boat travel on the Volga river but i don't know that it still exists between these two cities.

LP destination guide says: The best way to get between Kostroma and Yaroslavl in summer is by hydrofoil, which runs twice a day in either direction. The hydrofoils depart from the main prichal (pier) No 4 to Yaroslavl (1½ hours) and downstream to Plyos (one hour).

The waytorussia.net website says: Kostroma is located on the Volga river, so the river transport is operating when there's no ice. There are some cruise boats, but they are expensive, local people use the local hydrofoil, which circulates between Yaroslavl, Kostroma, and Plyos.
The hydrofoil from Kostroma to Yaroslavl departs daily 18.00, except tuesday and thursday. It takes about 2 hours to get to Yaroslavl, and it costs 48 roubles ($1.7 US) one way. The hydrofoil departs from pier #1, they start to sell the tickets 30 minutes before the departure. It's better to take this boat on the weekdays, because on the weekends it's so popular, that people start to queue it 2 hours before departure. This hydrofoil returns from Yaroslavl to Kostroma daily (except tuesday and thursday), departs Yaroslavl at 6.20, comes to Kostroma (pier #1) 2 hours later at 8.20, and then departs at 8.35 further to Plyos (1 hour). It comes back from Plyos to Kostroma in the evening (departs Plyos at 16.40, comes to Kostroma at 17.40, and then sails further to Yaroslavl).
The pier #1: Located on the Volga river, just next to "Korvet" pier hotel. How to get there: walk from the main Susanina (Сунанина) square (where the trading arcades are) to the direction of Volga river, and as you reach the embankment, turn right. Walk straight ahead for 5 minutes, the pier will be on your left (of course). It takes 15-20 minutes to walk there from Susanina square. Information phone: (0942) 55-36-87

Sorry but neither of these indicate the date of the information.

Ruth

8

Re: Yaroslavl to Kostroma

I lived in Yaroslavl for four months and visited many towns in the Golden Ring. I went to Kostroma by bus, which took around two hours. Perhaps not as fun as the hydrofoil, bu.t definately more relaible, and cheap.

There is not so much to do in Kostroma however, perhaps you could visit Rostov-Veliky instead (or additionally.) The Kremlin here is particularly beautiful, as is the lake nearby. I went September 2007, and the weather was perfect.

Have fun in Russia!

9

Moscow metro map.
http://2mb.su/7432/
The are a great metro in Moscow! If you in Moscow and need to get anywhere place in the city? is best to use the metro. The only downside - there are too many people.

And St. Petersburg metro map.
http://2mb.su/7433/

10

Hi everyone,

I am curious about the Trans Siberia Railways as I would like to return home to Hong Kong from the UK purely by land and sea. It would probably be more expensive and time consuming than a direct flight but would it be worth it? Hence I need to see for myself. I am wondering the sort of budget required and advice from anyone who had done this trip. It would also give me excellent motivation for saving money!!!

I figured that I need to get to Russia from UK to jump onto the train and I think the China part sorted. Just thousands of miles of gap needs filling :D.

Thank you everyone

Derek

11

It is definitely more expensive than flying. No question about this. Just the cost of the visas is significant. Russia is not a budget destination.

Visas will be an issue. What is your passport and where would you apply for the Russian visa? Of late, it is increasingly impossible to obtain a Russian visa outside the country of your passport or official residence.

Budget depends upon the number of stops and the route (through Mongolia, through Kazakhstan, direct to China).

Below is what I can my transsib starter information.

Try the library or a used bookstore for either of the two TransSiberian guidebooks, one by LP and the other by Trailblazer.

Look at these websites for lots of useful information:
waytorussia.net
Man in Seat 61
New Russian Train sticky
For train schedules, try these sites:
Die Bahn (multiple languages including English but no prices)
Your Train - CIS train schedule (Russian and English but no prices - if you don't know the spelling, just put in the first letter or two and there is a pull down menu)
Russian Train Site (only in Russian, but tells you if seats are available within 45 days of travel and it gives the prices for available seats on travel within Russia. My website explains how to use it.)

Usual stops in addition to Irkutsk to see Lake Baikal include any or all of the following (from Moscow to the Mongolian border):
Yekaterinburg which is worth a day to see the old center of the city and the new church built to commemorate the Romanovs. Also get someone to drive your to see the cemetaries where Yeltsin's parents are buried and take a look at the local mafioso graves.

Novosibirsk which is worth a few hours to see the Stalin architecture and if you are in need of an Irish pub but otherwise can be missed in my view.

Krasnoyarsk which is worth a day or two. Be sure to see the dam at Dvinogorsk and to go for a hike in Stolbi, the national park. The ethnography museum in the city is very good as well.

Irkutsk which is worth a day on its own and then several days in the Baikal area. Just outside of Irkutsk visit the wooden architecture museum to get a sampling of old buildings. Visit the lake front. If you have time, get some rest and solitude on Olkhon Island or visit the hot springs near Arshan in the Sayan Mountains, or take a ride along the circumbaikal train to see the lake up close.

Ulan Ude which is worth a day for the Buddhist datsan outside of town, the bust of Lenin and the ethnography museum.

Other stops that are also highly recommended but a bit off the usual path:
Kazan which is worth at least a day to see the Kremlin (A UNESCO world heritage site), the university that Lenin attended and walk along the pedestrian mall in the center of town.

Tobolsk which is worth a day to see its kremlin and some of the old houses.

Tomsk a university town which is worth a day to see the wooden buildings and soak up some atmosphere.

Prices are impossible to provide as within Russia they depend on the dates of travel, the class of travel, the particular train. There are examples in the New RU sticky to illustrate this.

Ruth

12

Oh, I didn't answer your question about whether it is worth it. Personally, it is a matter of personal preference. I have done it but not as others have. I did different sections over a period of several years. I had no desire or interest in doing it straight through with stops along the way. It's not my travel style.

Generally speaking this sort of trip is more about the journey, the people you meet along the way and less about the sites and scenery.

Ruth

13

Thank you for all that information.

I think for my first attempt, I should focus on getting from one end to the other. With two or three major stops to make things more interesting.

I am a british so I need to check out those VISA regulations. I am ok with travelling in china.

As for budget, I think I will just see how much money I can save up. I think this trip is scheduled after 3 years, hence plenty of time to plan. Things will probably change by then.

Many thanks

Derek

14

Yes, It will change. It will be more expensive. OTOH I seriously doubt that the process for obtaining a Russian visa will change.

Ruth