Trans Siberia Railway visas

There are Asia-specialist travel agencies around Melbourne. What suburb are you in?

Having to acquire your visas in advance might sound difficult and restrictive, but the alternatives sound pretty unpleasant as well. It's a cost of travel ... I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Hi Sunbird.

I have no problem acquiring visas. That's all part of the trip. The problem I have is having to book all my accomodation along the way BEFORE I leave or even apply for a visa. There are agencies who can get around this and I'm looking for one.

I live in Collingwood

Okay - that's a different matter, and you didn't specify that.

Do you mean you have to have accomm booked for each night that you're in those countries Vietnam, China, Mongolia ... before you board the train? Are you boarding in Beijing or Ulan Bator?

Perhaps search on china specialist travel agent melbourne or something similar. Maybe the city, or Box Hill / Ringwood.

" The problem I have is having to book all my accomodation along the way BEFORE I leave or even apply for a visa. "

I think what needs to be addressed first is why is this so or who is telling you that for you can travel to Vietnam easily enough, even getting your visa in Bangkok or many other cities including Melbourne and your accomodation is not required to be booked in advance, ditto China.

As for the Trans Siberian there are agencies that do specialise in booking tickets for that, several online services being offered and so have you examined what services they offer.

I think what needs to be addressed first is why is this so or who is telling you that for you can travel to Vietnam easily enough, even getting your visa in Bangkok or many other cities including Melbourne and your accomodation is not required to be booked in advance, ditto China.

I think critical information like this should be supported by authoritative official links.

Mike, looks like Mongolia is still applying restrictive measures or they have not updated their web site info re:

" 1.4 – Could you let me know what documents I need to bring with me to apply for a Tourist visa?

Passport-with a validity exceeding the applicant’s last day of stay by six months
Visa Application Form- fully completed, signed and dated
Photo-most recent passport size one glued on the form
Supporting Documents-Travel itinerary, hotel reservation and insurance confirmation
Visa fee and Service charge "

You probably ought to contact the Siberian Railway specialists and you can make online enquiries with them.
https://www.transsiberianexpress.net/ and seeing as they are handling the selling of tickets to many people, they ought to be able to advise re accomodation requirements to be provided when you apply for a visa.

It looks like Russia is the only real problem. I don't want to pre book everything if possible. If something goes wrong before I arrive, by even a day, I'm screwed. And I've got a good 6 weeks travel before I arrive.

Russia has been restrictive in the past and I do not know if they have gotten any better but that is why you need to book with the appropriate people in advance, give yourself a few days leeway to account for any minor mishaps and be prepared to make changes to your travel plans in that pre six weeks so as you make the station on time.

Then for major mishaps, make sure your travel insurance is with a reputable company.

There is an agency called realrussia.co.uk that organises visas for UK citizens and residents without the need for an established and booked itinerary. I'm really looking for something similar in Australia.