Way to Russia Talk Lounge

zuridubi · Just Starting Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

Hi!
I'm a 27 years old spanish girl and i'm deciding wether going or not in december through the transiberian route. I've had to delay the trip to december due to my job and i'm afraid it will be too cold and not too many hours of day. Is it a good month to visit Siberia, Mongolia an China? I cannot make it in any other time and that's why I'm consulting you. Is it crazy to do the route alone and in december? Has anyone done it? Thank you very much.

Gustavo · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject:

I did some research myself, as I was planning to go to Russia in November, but all the reports stated that those months are very cold, and that many train rails are frozen, and therefore it makes it almost impossible to do the Trans-Siberian.

Visit to Moscow/Pieter can be done (with warm clothes) but I don´t know if the railway is suitable for use in those months.

danbrew · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:23 am Post subject:

pashaw. while cold, the train lines work just fine - the trans-siberian runs all year long. I suppose if you were trying to take an infrequently used spur way up north (the BAM, perhaps?) that you might run into issues, but I doubt it. the rail lines used for the popular trans-siberian lines (Moscow - Beijing, Moscow - Vlad, etc.) are used every day.

as a matter of fact, many people complain that the trains are actually *overheated* in the winter time. you'll be just fine on the trains - the question you'll have to ask yourself is what will you see/do in the winter time? will you have the right clothes, etc.?

my two cents is that the train in the winter *is the best time of the year to go*.

ironic coming from a guy that hasn't actually made it on the train yet - my next attempt (you had to be there for the last couple of attempts - http://danbrew.smugmug.com/gallery/2252365_z2opU and http://danbrew.smugmug.com/gallery/3028366_W6wdM) will be in the winter. December sounds great. I was actually thinking about doing New Years in Red Square this year and then taking the Moscow Vlad train the first week in January.

Smile

Gustavo · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:56 am Post subject:

wow, that actually does KICK ASS.

Russia rocks Smile

danbrew · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject:

Matter of fact, your thread talked me into it. I've just booked my hotel and am working through airline tickets/frequent flyer miles/etc.

Thanks! I needed that kick in the pants to start planning.

Smile

UsualSuspect · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

I'll second what Danbrew has said.
I found 'em uncomfortably overheated. Since I have filthy habits, the smoking end of the carriage offers relief. But it can get bloody cold outside and running to a railway stop "magazin" for some supplies gets interesting. The lightest of breezes can be punishing. Also, the nights are long in Winter. In summer I wondered whether it would ever set!

I did the trip around September a lifetime ago and it was good. 5 other times (though not the whole way) were in winter.

Usualsuspect

Varrah · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject:

It can be about -40 Celcius in Mongolia by that time.
Are you sure to go? Smile

Long nights in winter are also an issue for a sight-seeing traveller. It depends on the city of course, but it is DARK (like at night) at 5 pm in St.-Petersburg in December.

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011