Russian rail ticket Summer buying advice and recommended places needed!

Hey folks,

I'm a UKer planning a 6 month trip across Russia, Mongolia, China and possibly on to Nepal and India.

I have a question around purchasing Russian rail tickets over the Summer. I'm leaving London by train mid-July so will be in Moscow a few days later. I'm planning to travel on the TransSiberian route probably stopping at the following places:

Vladimir (Suzdal)
Nizhni Novgorod
Yekaterinberg
Novosibersk/Tomsk
Irkutsk
Ulan Ude

Then onto Ulan Bator and onwards to China.

I'm a "seasoned" traveller and am wondering if I need to book train tickets in advance? I'm not in a rush so would prefer not to book rail tickets in advance as my plans may change.

My online "research" indicates that it's recommended to book as the summer can be busy but you'd probably get the same information for the UK so I'm hoping to get advice from someone who has travelled independently from Moscow to Beijing over the Summer.

Also if anyone can recommend if I should stop anywhere else on this route then any advice is greatly received.

Thanks in advance,

Anthony.

You don't need to book in advance. There are plenty of trains to choose from if you're flexible. The train of your choice might be booked out, than you can take another train maybe a day later or at an incovenient time. More common is that there are still places left on the train, but these will be either in the most expensive class or in the cheapest class only the beds with the worst location(near the toilet or the side beds) will be available. To sum it up: You don't need to book in advance, but it might cost more or be less convenient/comfortable.

Vladimir and Suzdal are indeed must sees.

Irkutsk is the stopping off point for Lake Baikal and it's probably the nicest Siberian city.

All the other cities on your list are ghastly.I think this is their only appeal for a certain type of travellers.

Krasnoyarsk would make a more meaningful stop, not so much for the city, but the surroundings.

To be honest the Transsiberian Railway and the cities along it are quite boring. It's a pity that for most travellers it is all they see of Russia. With 6 months total travel time I'd aim to spend a whole month in Russia which would give you enough time to see much better places than the dull Siberian cities.

Thanks for the reply. That's great advice and the information I was seeking on train booking in Russia.

I've never been to Russia so am trying to get information as my trip isn't starting until July.

The cities I chose seemed places where I could break the TransSiberian journey. I'm intending to spend 30 days in Russia. I want to spend a week hiking in the Lake Baikal area so any other advice would be great.

Would this be a better route(recommeded as a 4 week trip by the Lonely Planet)?

St Petersburg
Moscow
Vladimir/Suzdal
Yekaterinberg
Tomsk
Krasnoyarsk
Irkutsk (a week hiking near Lake Baikal)
Then onto Mongolia.

Any other suggestions on places to visit/stay are greatly appreciated!

Thanks again for any advice!

Try man at seat 61 website

There are not much to do and see in Yekaterinburg and Tomsk, I would add Kazan to the route instead. Krasnoyarsk is really cool - very rich in nature places. Spend more time at Lake Baikal there are so much to hike/see/do/explore.

There are not much to do and see in Yekaterinburg and Tomsk, I would add Kazan to the route instead. Krasnoyarsk is really cool - very rich in nature places. Spend more time at Lake Baikal there are so much to hike/see/do/explore.

You're wrong about Ekaterinburg, you need to know where to go =)

Dear Anthony
I plan to travel by mid September to Delhi by road from Moscow via Alma Ata, ( Kazakhistan) ,Urumqi ,Nepla
I have no idea how to travel further from Urumqi as there are some formalities with passing through Lhasa - For me Lhasa is not really interested but have no idea if it can be avoided . I have to think over again, may be your selected route is better ; Rgds Bashir

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