Trans Siberian Railway

Hi,

I've just booked my ticket (leaving in January) and it cost £280 including postage to the UK. This was through a Russian travel agency called Svezhy Veter ( http://www.sv-agency.udm.ru/</a> ). It's cheaper if you are able to buy tickets at a russian train station, but they sell out quickly, so wouldn't rely on buying when you get to Russia.

I don't know anything about smoking, but I'd think there would be somewhere..

http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm</a> is worth a look for info.

Mike

Hi. I did this trip during Oct-Nov in 3 segments buying tickets on the fly. Moscow-Irkutsk approx 130 pounds. Irkutsk-Ulan Baatar approx 48 pounds and UB-Beijing approx 50 pounds. All 2nd class and purchased a few days before travel from the local train station, although i suppose it depends on when you are thinking of going. I met other people who did it for a lot less by travelling 3rd class for the Moscow-Irkutsk leg at 40 pounds. There were only 2nd class tickets direct across borders (at the prices mentioned) but you could take cheap local trains to the borders and get buses across if you want to do it very cheaply. If you want to go all the way, I also met a lot of people who bought a 2nd class through ticket in Moscow with no trouble. I'm not sure how much it cost but it was definitely cheaper than what I paid for all 3 combined.

Yes you can smoke between the carriages. The Russians would probably have a fit if they weren't allowed to smoke.

Hope this helps.

when is your train leaving?
im having complications as i have booked my train to leave on the 1st Jan to beijing from moscow with a friend of mine, flying out on the 29th with her but suddenly she has dropped out leaving me alone which is a little dangerous.
if you are leaving on this date it would be great to know of someone else going!

A great link for train prices and bookings is Trains Russia.. Gives you some route descriptions and information on ticket booking.

If you're interested I have a little blurb on my travels on the trans-manchurian (Beijing to Moscow) at my blog.

dromedarius last post was http://whereoldbackpackersgotodie.blogspot.com/2007/12/journey-id-love-to-do-silk-route-by.html</a>

Don't go with Svezhy Veter. They jerked me around for 3 months before I finally gave up. They did promptly refund my money, however, so I can't give them too hard a time. I booked 2 tickets through Way to Russia and that went just fine.

Don't worry about finding a place to smoke or someone to smoke with. Everyone in Russia smokes. Everyone. You can grab a quick one, or a long one--you'll have plenty of time--in between cars.