Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Xeraman · Just Starting Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Mex

Ok, first post here.
I´ve been reading as much as I can, so far a lot of people have asked & answered many of my doubts.
In one post I think greg222 says one can actually buy tickets for leg Moscow-Irk... at Moscow´s train station preferably 3 days before departure (with no guarantees).

But let´s say I arrive to St Petes via Helsinki and plan to visit it for 2-3 days, I will then buy mi ticket St Petes-Moscow (which I´ve heard it´s easy) but is it possible to buy a ticket for the leg Moscow-Irk or Moscow-Ulan Bator in St Petes? That way some 6-7 days will pass before departure (3 days in St Petes + 4 days visiting Moscow) so I´ll have more chances of availability, right ?

All the stories about russian travel agencies not delivering tickets on time etc has made me come up with this idea. I don´t mind paying an extra for the comfort and avoiding the uncertainty of ticket availability, but I don´t want to pay high and not being able to make my trip!

One last request, anybody knows about a good RELIABLE russian agency that accepts credit cards and will have tickets at their offices in St Petes or Moscow (no delivering!).
I live in Mexico, I can´t rely on post service or anything like courier, etc.
My plan is to go somewhere in May or June.
Any advise (and travel partners) will be much appreciated,
sorry for my bad english...
adios !
Cool

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 600

Yes, you can buy tickets in St Petersburg for journeys starting in Moscow. But note that tickets for journeys starting in Irkutsk can only be issued in Irkutsk.

If you want to use an agency, book with the vendor 'Svezhy Veter' through WayToRussia. They provide excellent service and you can pick up the tickets from their partner offices in different cities as you go along. The only downside is that they don't take online credit card payments - you have to fax them a credit card authorisation form.

Xeraman · Just Starting Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Mex

Great, thanks greg

So let´s say I do buy a ticket Moscow-Irkutsk in St Petes, when I get to Irkutsk do you think its a big deal to find tickets to Ulan Ade or Ulan Bator? (in May-June). And from Ulan Bator to Beiging?

Or, if I buy tickets from Svezhy Veter, will they give the tickets for the legs Irkutsk-Ulan Bator & Ulan Bator-Beiging at their St Petes or Moscow offices? or for each leg will I have to visit their offices at the departing point? (if they even have one).

Is it really trustful to fax them my credit card information?

thanks again!

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 600

Probably you can get your tickets a couple of days in advance in Irkutsk and Ulan-Bataar. But at that time of year you need to have some flexibility in your plans just in case you can't get the exact date/train/class of ticket that you want. If you're on a tight schedule or want to travel in a specific class then it's better to go through an agent.

With Svezhy Veter, you can pick up the tickets from Irkutsk and Ulan-Bataar in those cities. You could get them all in St Petersburg, but they would need to be posted there by courier at your (considerable) expense.

Fax is secure enough - just a hassle in my opinion.