1

Tickets are not required for the visa so I wouldn't bother getting them in advance. .

When asking visa questions, it is important to indicate your passport. If you have a US passport, please read the information on the website of the Russian embassy in Washington to determine the consulate nearest you. You will need an official invitation and accommodations voucher.

Travel in Russia is not cheap. The only website that makes sense for buying train tickets is the official Russian railways website, rzd.ru. Even if you don't buy them in advance, this site will tell you the costs and the ticket availability. The pages in English won't help for buying tickets or getting ticket information as they are meant for investors. You need to register and you need to translate the sections that are in Russian if you want to buy tickets.

November is one of the worst times to travel in Russia in my experience because of the weather and limited daylight. It generally isn't cold enough to experience snow and often the precipitation will be a mix of snow or cold rain. February is a much better time in my opinion. More daylight, better chance of snow which makes things look prettier.

Ruth

2

Will there be snow in December? Going from Moscow east?

3

damienminter,

Typically, yes. Though once in a decade or so we have snow-scarce winters.

And thaws are possible even in the middle of the winter, in large cities.

However, the farther to the East you go, the lesser is the influence of the Gulf Stream and the frostier are winters.

4

I will do Beijing-Moscow duirng december. What is the recommended clothing for train and outside?

5

Inside the train, people dress in lounging clothing - loose, comfortable attire, slippers, maybe a hoodie or sweatshirt as it can be drafty but nothing nice. They may board the train dressed nicely but after it leaves the station, they change to what my kids' called "train clothing".

Off the train dress in layers. Warm waterproof footwear is probably the most important item. Warm socks, gloves, hats, etc.

Ruth