Thorn Tree travel forum

1

I am doing this trip in the reverse order in about a weeks time, so here are a couple of points.

Eurolines runs buses from Tallinn - St Petersburg and vice versa. About 5 buses a day each way. You can book online. Website is www.eurolines.ee - unsure if you can book the Russian - Estonia tickets on here or only the other way, but hopefully you can. I think there is a train too.

Got my Chinese visa in Australia. Takes 4 days, you can post in. $30 AUS plus $10 handling fee if you post in. This cost is for 4 day processing. Same day express service is available for another $50. Easy process. Don't know about HK.

2

It is extremely quick and easy to get Chinese visas, including 6 month multi-entry in HK (I also have an Australian passport). If I ever go back to China I will definitely stop there first for the visa. There are many travel agencies which will do it for you, especially around Nathan Rd. You don't need a definite ongoing destination. I don't know about the Russian visa sorry.

3

Try this:

Sunrise International Travel Co Ltd

website: www.chinavisa.com.hk

I applied my visa last year via their help. Once you arrive Hongkong, go to its office in the morning and they will return back your passport with a visa to China in the afternoon. The fee they charge you is reasonable. If you have time, you can go to the Chinese foreign affair office to apply for yourself. the cost is almost the same but some time you have to wait. This travel agency is located in the same building with China foreign affair office in Hongkong. If you like you can even get a two year multiple-entry visa within 12 hours. It's easy

4

1. Forget about organizing Russian visas in Beijing. They reportedly have a sign posted saying that they do not issue visas unless you have a Chinese passport or Chinese residency permit. While there are occasional reports to the contrary, I would not count on being able to get a visa there.

2. In order to get a transit visa you must have a ticket out of Russia or an onward visa. Since you don't need an onward visa your only option is a ticket. BUT getting that ticket might cost you more than buying an invitation for a tourist visa from an internet based company. The reason is that Russians don't trust their mail service and will insist upon sending you the ticket via courier service so that the cost savings for the tranist visa is lost.

There is both a train and a bus from Petersburg to Tallinn.

3. Forget about organizing the ticket for the through train in Beijing. These tickets are all reserved by travel agencies months in advance and are VERY RARELY available for purchase directly. It is my understanding that international tickets must be purchased through CITS or a Chinese travel agency.

4. I suggest reading the links on my signature line and getting back if you have questions.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.