Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Upendra · Just Starting Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Pune

I wonder if it is advisable to have this journey in January/Feb
Is some body interested to do it
Are the rates cheaper

danbrew · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:56 am Post subject:

I did it in January of last year - http://danbrew.smugmug.com/Travel/Russia-Moscow-to-Vladivostok/6907558_qDgoi#441988105_PahVc.

The rates are absolutely less expensive than at other times of the year, unless your journey begins (or maybe a day or two either side) on the Russian Orthodox Christmas (January 7th). I traveled from 1-7 January 2009 from Moscow to Vladivostok and paid about $600 for a 1st class ticket. If I had left Moscow on the 7th, the ticket would have been well over $1000.

I went non-stop - most folks like to stop and see the sights. For me, part of the journey was the train experience. I guess you'll have to decide what part you like most and what you want to see in the winter. It's very beautiful, and also very different.

Smile

Upendra · Just Starting Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Pune

Brilliant. I come form Pune, India and for me experiencing siberian winter will also be an experience. Any particular reason why you did not stop? or you stopped in your earlier journeys and so did not this time. What made you do this journey 3 times? or more.

you are from which part of the world.

Is anybody thinking of teaming up with me?

upendra

danbrew · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:07 pm Post subject:

Not stopping was more a function of time than desire. Had I had more time away from work (ouch! sorry, bad word!!!), I would have taken five or six weeks and done it right.

Actually, I've only completed the trip once - the other two attempts were just that. The first attempt, I got food posioning and was so sick I knew it was not a good idea to get on the train. For the second attempt, my ticket broker was unable to obtain a ticket and he told me this at the last minute. Very unfortunate...! So while I've only done it once, and did it in the middle of winter, I'm still very enthusiastic about the trip and may very well do it again one day with lots of stops.

(I'm vacationing in Vietnam at the moment and am riding a motorbike from the North to the South...!)

Cheers!

danbrew

nikir · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 3:24 am Post subject:

You won't experience a Siberian winter on the train unless you hang with the smokers at the end of the carriage.

The heating is turned up to an unbelievable level. By contrast the ends are not heated and come with ice on the inside of the doore and windows.