While trying to find a bus from Vladivostok to Harbin (as mentioned in the LP 'Trans Siberia Express') I had a little hard time finding where exactly to get tickets for this bus, so I thought I'd share my experience.
(BTW: you could take the train, but this takes considerably longer than the bus)
We ended up buying the tickets directly at the Vladivostok Bus Station (Autovokzal) at the counter for International tickets (Counter #2) for 2400 RUB one way. This bus took us ± 12 hours (including all formalities at both borders and a short lunch break in China) and it leaves at 6:20 a.m. from the same bus station you bought the tickets at (bus station opens at 6 a.m.). Please note that the person behind the counter does not speak English. The bus is operated by a Chinese company and staff on the bus will speak only Chinese. It enters China through the Suifanhe border, which is accessible for all international travellers (as opposed to the border near the town of Heihe which is only accessible for Chinese and Russians).
Alternatively you can also buy tickets from a tour agency in Vladivostok for a small markup (± 150 RUB per ticket) but we didn't try these out. They don't seem to have English speaking staff (we let a Russian friend call them). There used to be two (Primoravtotrans and Primorye ATP) but the latter has ceased operations per October 1st 2014.
Hope this helps you connecting the TSE from Vladivostok to China!
