Trans-Siberian journey

Every season has its one charm and it  just depends on your expectations and the stops you are planning to make on  your  journey. 

Summer is a great time to see  various landscapes and it probably the best time in terms of weather conditions.

If you would like to experience winter wonderland of Russia, then it is good to consider taking the journey from December-March. The best months to experience winter Baikal would be February and March.  This would be the safest time to step on the ice, to enjoy various winter activities or to take a trip to Olkhon island from Irkutsk or to do Baikal crossing. 

Late spring (May) is a great time to see nature awake. Fields are in bloom and plains are of emerald colors. 
It is a great time for photographer buffs but you  should also be aware of ticks who are very active in May and June. If you consider a trip at this time of the year, please ask your doctor about vaccination and make sure you have proper clothes for this trip.

Late September and early October is the time which surprises you with all the palette of colors. It is a great time  when you can  escape  tourist crowds in big cities such as Moscow or St. Petersburg.  Rainy days might be a part of your journey as well so that you should be well prepared.

There are a few months in a year which we would advise you not to consider are April and November.

 One thing to remember is that only good mood makes the journey not the weather!

Trans-siberian route is 9288 km long stretching from West to East. You will need at least a week of vacation to get from Moscow to Vladivostok, to be precise 6 days and 2 hours  on the premium train “Rossia”. Do not forget to add some time you are going to spend in Moscow and Vladivostok and  your flight time back home. 

To discover different parts of Russia, you will need at least 2 weeks to make sure  you stay a few days at  Moscow and Vladivostok as well as have stops on the way to explore some  other regions.   If you are not in a  hurry and prefer to travel in a relaxed mode, than 3-4 week time would be preferable to experience various regions of Russia.  Indicate your preferences and the time you have  and  let us take care of you trip.

There are a lot of trains running on the  Trans-siberian route but only few go along its whole way.  However , there are other trains which connect some big cities. There is a whole range of trains which differ in speed, comfort and passenger service.  There are the premium  trains “Rossia “ running from Moscow  to Vladivostok and well as other premium trains connecting some regional centers. These trains are air-conditioned, have bio-toilet ( 2 in a carriage), restaurant-carriage as well as a shower service in one of the carriages for an extra charge. These trains are known for a better service but  they are also more expensive  than standard speed trains. Premium trains  quite often have inconvenient arrival and departure time at some stops ( like in the middle of the night) which makes us use standard speed trains  along the route where it seems more convenient.

Standard speed  trains operate between Moscow and Vladivostok. It does not necessarily mean that these trains are much worse than premium trains but they are not air-conditioned which is not a problem in winter or cold months of the year but might be a challenge in summer time. Carriages are usually older but still rather clean. The service is also usually rather friendly and caring. Not all the standard trains have a carriage-restaurant.
However, there trains quite often have a better timetable and a better price which is a huge advantage  to take
it for a short night trip.

Premium trains have both 1st class cabins (SV in Russian) with 2berth and 2nd class cabins with 4 berths. 
This is mainly the main difference between the 1st and 2nd class in terms of luggage space, window view etc. Bedding is provided in 1st and 2nd class cabins. If you travel in a party of 4 people or with a family with kids, 
2nd class is a good option. If you are a travelling couple then 1st class cabin is better as you will not need 
to share your 4th berth cabin with two other people. It is also possible to purchase the whole cabin per group 
or per person if you prefer to have some privacy. There is also a 3rd class  type of carriages where there is no division into private lockable compartments but just in open space type of carriage. We never use it on our Trans-Siberian tours but might do upon request you travel on a tight budget and want to have a real experience and close contact with locals.

There are two western-style toilets in a carriage with a wash- basin in each of them. To wash face and clean teeth.  There is also a boiling water in a huge samovar free of charge . There a few fold-down seats in the corridor.  Each carriage is supervised by Provodnik/ provodnitsa ( male/female attendant) who are in charge of bed linen, keeping the carriage clean and  boiling water in samovar. They  can arrange you tea/coffee at extra charge or just help with any other issue. They are the people to  check the timetable and departure time from the train station at some stops whether you have time for a stroll along the platform or a walk to the nearest shop  at the train station. Always ask them before you go no matter if they look friendly or slightly stern they are supposed to help.

Some premium trains also have showers which you can use at a small charge. Showers are usually located at the carriage next to the carriage-restaurant and advertised on the train. Toiletries are not provided for shower.

There is no reliable wifi reception on  the Trans-siberian trains. You might use your phone for internet reception at some stations. While the train on the go, you mobile phone will not get the signal. Make sure you upload a small dictionary, useful phrases and any other useful applications on the train which will not acquire the Internet.

There are power sockets in the aisles  and in some of the newly-styled second and first class cabins. You might ask your provodnik/provodnitsa to charge your phone at their cabin. It is also a good idea to have a power bank charged before your trip.

Planning your Trans-Siberian adventure, make sure you will be okay sleeping on the upper berth or rather narrow bed in your cabin.

It is also important to choose the proper accommodation at the stops on your Trans-siberian journey. 
We carefully select hotels and homestays  in terms of location, hospitality and uniqueness. We prefer to offer 
you boutique style hotels in big cities to plunge you in the ambiance of the place. We can also offer you 
a world-known brand if you expect a certain standard of services. In small towns and villages we also offer you homestays especially in the places where there is no big selection of hotels. It is also a great way to learn more about the life of locals. Most of the guesthouses on Lake Baikal have toilet and shower facilities inside 
the house. You will also be offered a Russian sauna, known as banya which is frequently used by locals.  Another highlight of your trip might  be your stay in a ger - a Mongolian yurt. This is quite often the only accommodation type outside Ulaanbaator.

It is important to think properly about your meals and drinks on the train. Each carriage has a big samovar with boiling water which you can use free of charge to make yourself tea or coffee. You can ask your carriage attendant for a glass in a nice glass-holder which you can use for the whole trip or just buy tea once to be served with tea/coffee and use this glass in a glass-holder. Make sure to pack tea bags and coffee for your trip to serve yourself when you need it. It is also a good idea to take bottled water which can be purchased from your carriage attendant.

Most of the trains you travel on have a restaurant-carriage where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food is usually quite good and the price is very affordable. The menu is both in Russian and in English. It is also a good place to socialize.  The train makes stops st big cities for 30-40 min, it is a good idea to stretch your legs and walk to the nearest rail shop to stock your food. Make sure you have plenty of time. You can also buy some food like pirozhki and pelmeni ( dumplings) from local babushkas at some train stations. Run to the ones where there is a line. It means food is really good.

Before your Trans-siberian journey we will send you a pdf check-list with food to take on the train. Our Moscow guide or driver will help  you with grocery shopping before your journey.

You will need some cash for your train journey in the local currency: rubles on the territory of Russia or tugrek on the territory of Mongolia.  It is rare when you can pay in USD dollars or EUR. Make sure you have small banknotes, which will be easy to get change for. You will need it to buy food or drinks from locals or in the restaurant-carriage. Some of the russian train started accepting card payments but this is not the rule so it is better to have enough cash tpo get you to the next destination. Most of the train shops accept cards  though...

· To make your trip memorable and care-free it would be wise to pack medicine you regularly take  as well as 
a first aid kit including diarrhea, cold, allergy etc. Ask your doctor before you go.

· Do not take food which get spoiled quickly on the train or consume it quickly before it gets spoiled. There is 
no fridge in your cabin. If you buy food from locals, go to the ones where there is a line. Keep in mind there might always be a risk.

· Get out of the train and walk along the platform when the train makes long stops. It is always good to have fresh air, stretch your legs and observe people.

· Drink a lot of water and tea to stay hydrated.
Keep your hands clean. It would be mindful to take wet tissues and sanitizer for your trip.

· Do not take expensive watches, earrings etc on your  Trans-siberian trip.

· Keep your money (cash) at different places.

· Before going for a walk or a restaurant carriage , ask your provodnitsa( carriage attendant) to lock your cabin if you are the only traveller.

· Always take your valuables ( money, documents etc) when you leave your cabin. It is convenient to have a small backpack for that.

· People prefer to keep doors open during the day to be able to socialize and lock them for the night time from inside.

· In case of any problem or issue, address it to the official like the carriage attendant on the train. They are the ones who must help.

If you are planning to do hiking during your Trabs-siberian trip,  you might need to get vaccinated, especially 
if your trip is scheduled for May-June, the peak season for ticks. Ask your physician about it and about the vaccination procedure. Ticks in Siberia might be carriers of  encephalitis  and Lyme disease.  Be aware that vaccination has to be made well in advance, advise your doctor for that.

Travelling along the Tran-siberian route might be a rather different experience from a package holiday. It might be a great challenge  and a great adventure at the same time. We recommend that you consider a few things  before planning this trip.

You will have to be in a rather  small cabin with your kids for quite a long time. Kids under 5 years old are allowed to sleep on the same berth with their parents but this might be very inconvenient as they are very narrow. Make sure you have your cabin only for your family.  Plan more stops along the way to stay at the hotels for a night or two where you can have showers and more comfy beds. It is also nice  just to change the setting for the kids.

Think of the entertainment you might have for your children besides gadgets. Books and board games are good options. Premium trains also provide a kid's activity bag. Meet locals and socialize with neighbors. This will keep your kids entertained and busy for some time.

Though there is not age limit, we would  say it is better to take Trans-siberian railway trip with kids above 6 yo