Transsiberian Express – The Complete Guide

Before we get started with our guide…

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Notice: Some of the trains don’t have daily service, for instance the direct train Moscow-Beijing and the train Ulan Bator-Beijing, if you want to check the price of these trains be sure to select the option “If exact date not available: +/- 2 days”

Ok, let’s go!

The aim of this article is to share my experience and provide all the practical information that you may need to enjoy an unforgettable trip along the Transsiberian or Trans Mongolian railway.

Here a short outline of the article:

• Transsiberian myths and wrong beliefs.

• Why should you take the Transsiberian Express?

• Where to buy the tickets for the Transsiberian?

• Railcar and train’s classes

• Get a tour or travel by myself?

• Which route should you choose?

• Where to stay? Our suggestion for the hotels in Moscow, Irkutz, Ulan Bator and Beijing.

• Russian, Mongolian and Chinese VISA requirements

• Things you should bring with you

• Essential information and tips

Transsiberian myths and wrong beliefs

The Transsiberian is a single train

What is commonly called Transsiberian is in fact a railway network used by many different trains. For instance, along the route Moscow-Beijing there are at least two rail lines: the Trans Mongolian (the most popular) and the Trans Manchurian.

The first one is the line that connects Moscow to Ulan Ude (Russia) and then reaches Beijing across Mongolia (the trip lasts approximately five days and a half, if you never get off the train).

Conversely, the Trans Manchurian goes through the line Moscow-Vladivostok but, before reaching Vladivostok, is diverted to the Chinese border, crosses the Manchuria region and ends in Beijing (this route takes more than six days).

Hence, if we want to be precise the Transsiberian is the Moscow-Vladivostok line.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The Transsiberian is a drop-off ticket

Although for some people it may seem obvious, there are still many people that believe that the Transsiberian is something similar to the InterRail in Europe (that is you buy a ticket and you get on and off the train as many times as you like).

The reality is that Transsiberian railway is only a rail line so you have to buy separate tickets for each journey you want to do.

The Transsiberian is expensive

Probably the Transsiberian offers the most economic train tickets per kilometer in the world. The price of the journey varies greatly depending on the stops you make (the more you stop the more you pay), the class of the train (fast trains are more expensive) and the railcar class that you choose.
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/transsiberian-express/