Enjoy The Fabulous Trans-Siberian Route
If you are an “off-road” traveler and from Europe you want to go to Asia, the Trans-Siberian route is ideal for you. It has a route from Russia to China, passing through some provinces of the Russian Far East and Mongolia. Not only is it very safe, but you can also rest in their sleeper cars while traveling in comfort.
The Trans-Siberian arose in response to a need of the population to cross gigantic distances. And in faith they did it. With this means of transport you can travel just under 10,000 kilometers, passing through Russia, China and Mongolia.
The price of the Trans-Siberian changes depending on the services it includes. For this reason, when planning your trip you must take into account which sections you are going to travel. Also if you decide to stay in a city and spend the night there or if you prefer to make your trip non-stop to the last destination of your choice.
What should you know about the Trans-Siberian route?
The first thing you should do is make sure if you need a visa to go to the chosen destination, depending on your nationality. To find out, it is best to review this information on the website of each country.
Of course, you should not forget your passport, which must be valid for at least six months. You must also carry medical insurance with extensive health coverage, reservations and your travel itinerary, as well as the money you need to cover your stay.
There are three rail routes on offer and each of them has specific routes. The first route is the classic Russian Trans-Siberian. It goes from Moscow to Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East. It also passes through Mongolia and China.
The second is the Trans-Mongolian, with its route from Moscow to Beijing, which passes through Mongolia. The third is the Transmanchurian, which goes from Moscow to Beijing, but does not go through Mongolia.
The sections considered are: Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod – Yekaterinburg – Novosibirsk – Irkutsk 1 – Ulan-Ude – Chita – Vladivostok – UlanUde – Beijing Chita or Manzhouli. According to the places you want to visit, you should choose the Trans-Siberian route that has the most favorable route for you.
The classes of trains and their compartments or rooms
If sophistication is your thing, it is best to take a luxury private service, such as The Golden Eagle or the Imperial Russia. These are similar to five-star cruises and, therefore, their price ranges from 3,000 to 15,000 euros, depending on the route and the services it includes.
If you are looking for a cheaper service, it is advisable to choose the regular service trains. They are operated by the Russian National Railway Company (RZD) and are much more affordable. You can do short tours and spend the night in a town that you want to know before continuing the trip.
If you choose this last option, keep in mind that the service is first, second and third class. Therefore, being inexpensive, we recommend that you bring personal wipes, cutlery, some food and portable chargers, as there may be few plugs on the train.
Final recommendations for the Trans-Siberian route
If you are already determined to live this experience and enjoy every second, keep in mind that you must plan the trip more than three months in advance. This is the most recommended, since ticket purchases, hotel reservations, as well as the management of the visas and permits that you require can take time.
You can do the Trans-Siberian route at any time of the year, taking into account that it has a large influx of people. However, it is advisable to go in summer. The days are longer and the climate allows you to get to know each town more thoroughly, although the tickets are usually more expensive.
Generally, the trip can last between eight and 30 days, depending on the places you visit. In any case, you cannot miss the impressive Lake Baikal, Gorkhi-Terelj, the impressive Mongolian steppe or the obligatory visit to Manzhouli and Harbin, among other wonderful places that are part of this journey.
