30

which links don't work? specifically what information are you seeking?

Ruth

31

btw, in addition to the info about Moscow hotels/hostels - there`s new one, opened just 3 weeks ago, but really nice www.chillax-hostels.com
Price starts from 500rub (about 12 euros) & location is very good.

32

can anyone please tell me if 25000rub is enough to have per week in russia just for food and sight seeing and maybe a little shopping thanks

33

luckyluke - better if you ask such questions on a thread about estimating costs than here on an informational thread that people don't look at to answer questions. Also it would help to know where you are traveling and whether this amount will need to cover transport. 25,000 RUB per week is a little more than 100 USD per day which should be plenty unless you insist upon drinks other than vodka with dinner, fancy restaurants and theater.

Ruth

34

I am heading on the transiberian for six weeks, it is difficult to decide where to spend time on the Russia leg, prior to arriving in Moscow. Any must do towns would be appreciated.

35

Betty44 - This is an information thread. Not a place to ask questions but this is the general information that I post about stops:

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. Do some hiking in the urals near the Eurasia border. There are also some small villages that you can visit.

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 unless you are interested in opera, ballet or theater in which case there is a nice theater.

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. If you have more time you can take a trip on the Yenesei River.

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 or do some hiking in the National Park.

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.

Don't forget St. Petersburg, Veliky Novogorod, Vladimir/Suzdal and the other Golden Ring Cities.

Ruth

36

Which cities are you going to visit in Russia?

37

I am thinking of replacing some trains with flights along my Trans-Siberian trip....

I am leaving for a Trans-Siberian trip in less than 2 weeks and am just about to make the train/flight bookings. After a quick trip through Denmark, Sweden & Finland, I plan to follow the Trans-Mongolian route - St Petersburg for a few days, then train to Moscow, a few days in Moscow, than train to Irkutsk (4 days on train), then stop there & visit Lake Baikal, then train to Ulaanbaatar (2 nights on train), then time in a Ger camp near Ulaanbaatar, then train to Beijing (2 nights), then 3 weeks in China, 2 weeks through Laos & Cambodia, then 3 weeks in India and then home (London) in time for Xmas.

Just to put this in context I’m a single 27 year old male who will be traveling alone and I enjoy independent budget traveling, where I get to meet as many like-minded people as possible, and enjoy a blend of partying, sightseeing (I enjoy elements of history, politics and architecture, but not endless days of walking around churches and museums), active outdoor pursuits (climbing, mountain biking, tough hiking) and photography. I always like to stay in lively & socialable hostels, in shared dorm rooms, and I am happy to stay/travel in basic conditions.

My major doubts I'm having right now is:

1. Do I really want to spend 4 days on the train from Moscow to Irkutsk when I can fly in 5 hours for only £100 more (flight is £210, train is £110 in 2nd class/4 berth)? The time flying would save me would also give me more vital time in China or India. I have heard the train is a great experience but if I don’t meet likeminded young, English-speaking backpackers, I’d worry I’d not enjoy 4 straight days.

2. Also, the flight from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing is actually £50 cheaper than the train! Flight is £154 (2hrs) & train is £197 (30 hours/1 night). Is the train worth paying MORE? I have heard this section of the train is really interesting though?

3. Some forums have suggested that Ulan-ude is actually a better place to stop to visit Lake Baikal than Irkutsk?

If anyone has time, could you please respond to this ASAP as I need to get stuff booked!

Thanks!

38

BenP - this is an information thread. I am not even going to read it and suggest that if you want answers first you try searching and next you start a new thread.

Ruth

39

You had very informational thread.! Thanks for sharing such a great information about Russia. Because i was searching about Russia but unable to get more information.

40

My partner and I are both Australians currently finishing up on our working/holiday visa in Canada. We are looking at going to the UK for a month or two and getting our Russian/Mongolian/Chinese visa whilst there. As our closest Russian embassy is over two days drive away.

Can anyone provide me with a website or company that may be able to help us. We currently haven't got anything booked as we are still trying to work out our plan of where and how long we are going to go. I know realrussia.co.uk can help you but you have to have been in the UK for 90days.

Our plan is to go to the UK in end of Nov, then organise our visas. We then plan to fly to St Petersburg (spend a day or two) then train to Moscow (spend a few more days to a week), then train to Ulaanbaatar (spend a dayor two, break from train) then train to Beijing (spend a week) then train to Shanghai (spend a week). We would then get ferry across to Japan.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

alm

41

Hello, I am planning to take the trans Siberian route of Russia, Mongolia and China, but unable to find any cheap routes ..... can someone please give any info on budget traveling this route ?? also, is it safe for girls to travel alone on this particular journey?

42

So I am planning to take the TS next August. I finally have the time and the money and circumstances are ideal. I want to go from Moscow to Beijing through Mongolia, so it's the Trans- Mongolian.

First of all, my main question is:

• If I want to go in Ausgust how early do I need to start booking it? Does it sell out easily?

43

Hi everyone, I'm going to buy a Russia river cruise next week at " GOLDENRING Russia Cruises ". They offer the river trip from Moscow to St. Petersburg with visiting many sight: The Hermitage, Tzar's Village, and Catherine the Third, Peterhof and others. Can someone tell me about this travel agency? Any feedback?

44

Hey guys,

None of the links provided in the first post of this thread work anymore:
"New RU Sticky," "New RU Train sticky," "Belarus FAQs" and "Ukraine FAQs"

I can't find them using the TT search function neither.
Is it possible to resurrect them somehow? I find that without them, this thread loses much of its purpose...

Cheers,
Dorian