Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Martin_LE · Just Starting Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Hello, I got 2 questions:

I would like to do the Transsib from Beijing to Moscow in June/ July and found already many usefull information on this page. But at the moment I'm a bit confused cause I read that the booking of trains leaving Beijing in June, July and August isn't possible, is that true? Or are there just some agencies who offer tickets? Has anybody got some information?
I want to leave Beijing at around 17/06 - so well ahead of the beginning of the olympics...

I tried to book tickets over this website, but unfortunately they got just Train #3 in the system, which departs Beijing on Wednesdays - but I would favour train #23, departing on Tuesday. Same thing in Ulaan Baatar: I found a train (#5) in the internet that is leaving UB on Fridays, but can,t find this one in the wtr booking form. Is it possible to book these trains somehow, or don't they exist anymore?

I would be more than pleased if you could somehow help me!!!

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 522

Tickets for June won't be a problem. I believe Train #23 is operated by the Chinese Railways, which is probably why it isn't in the WTR timetables. But you can book it through WTR. Just go here:

www.support.waytorussia.net

Click on "Send a Request" and then choose the "Trains" department. Then fill out the form with the exact trains you want.

Martin_LE · Just Starting Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Thanks for your quick reply - but I got right now 2 different opinions:
The Travelagent (Sh. Veter or something like that) told me that train tickets departing Beijing cant be prebooked - even in June! They just release these tickets 3 days in advance. Do you know anything about that? Is it possible to book tickets somehow otherwise in advance? Or is it safe enough if I go to the ticket-counter in Beijing 3 days before our train is leaving?
The problem is that we really have to catch this train, cause otherwise our complete schedule for the Transsib will fall apart...

Thanks a lot again!!!

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 522

Svezhy Veter are the only Russian company I would recommend that can provide tickets from Beijing. So you would have to try a Chinese company. Contact:

www.china-train-ticket.com

And see what they say. If they can't help then try to be in Beijing at least five days before your train departs and work on getting tickets through an agent there. And be prepared to fly if need be.

Martin_LE · Just Starting Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Thanks again for your quick reply - I've contacted the guys from china-train-ticket but its the same with them: Due to the Olympics it isn't possible to book train tickets out of China between May and September!!!

Have you got an alternative idea? How likely is it, to get train tickets on the counter in Beijing three days prior departure? I've herad somewhere, that all tickets ar just released 3 days prior to departure - so if we are at the counter quiet early it should be possible to get something, what do you think? Is it otherwise possible, to book a flight to Ulanbaatar 2 days in advance or will it be horribly expensive?

Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 522

Bizarre. It must be one of those new 5-month Olympic Games this year. Buying tickets yourself in Beijing is an effort. Go through an agent - they only add a fee of around $10. There are plenty of them to choose from, though I suppose CITS has the best connections.

Svezhy Veter is saying tickets will go on sale three days in advance. However, I suspect they will be on sale five days in advance since that's when advance sales for tickets in China usually start.

As for last minute flights: it shouldn't be too expensive. Again, there are travel agents everywhere that will be able to help.

jan86 · Just Starting Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

as far as i know, the trains are just not departuring from bejing, but it should still be possible to leave from harbin. this leads to my question, does anyone know why kharbin is not listed as a train station?