The line of the Trans-Siberian railway is the longest railway in the world since it runs 9288km from Moscow to Vladivostok, passing through many cities, villages or camps in full taiga. Mythical all be they, the train travelling on the are therefore generally of omnibus. In addition, trains “luxury” the third class, This appellation covers very different situations.
Life aboard the train
At the outset, to Board, It will show your ticket and your Passport to the provodnitsa (Head of car).
Then, everything depends on the class you choose. The cars “luxury” are compartments of two places, men and women are often separated and meals are included. En “Cup” (second class), There are four people per compartment, and meals are included as an option on some trains. En “platskart”, There is no separation between the compartments, and there is a row of bunks along the corridor. It is this class that often use families for their holiday departures, and therefore the most lively ! Shortly after the start, the provodnitsa passes distribute sheets, and should make his bed oneself in a space all relatively small sum ! For a bit of privacy, Some tend one of the sheets along the corridor to close their “compartment”.
At the time of the meal, many Russians do not go to the diner, Dear, but take away their provisions. All cars have a Samovar (large kettle) to make tea, and instant noodles are more and more present on board; but picnics “traditional” are still present : bread, Deli, cheese, the essential cucumber tomato, even the dried fish sold on some docks ! Note that the strong alcohol is now prohibited in trains, also do you propose we not vodka tour…
Book practical
A small quick summary (and backwards) crossing of Siberia :
Vladivostok
The other head of the Trans-Siberian railway line (9288km - and a week- Moscow) is a pleasant town in summer, often compared to San Francisco, and for good reason : built on rolling hills around a Bay crossed by a huge suspension bridge, many streets are sloping – steep. On the other hand, its trams are not as emblematic as in the American city. Prohibited foreign garrison town until 1992, It is now in full conversion : You can swim in the Pacific near managed walks, the old fortifications visit for some, and the Russky island, connected to the Mainland by a second suspension bridge (at $ 1 billion) houses a campus brand new oceanfront. More classic, You can also visit a submarine of the second world war, on the banks of the Golden Horn, or the Arsenyev Museum which presents the history of the region.
Vladivostok – Khabarovsk : about 12 hours. The night train “Okean” is a “firmeny” (Premium), more comfortable; about 3500 rub in “Cup”.
Khabarovsk
The streets are the open-air tram Museum, where's trams trendy side by side and frankly vintage. The shores of love are pleasant to browse. The ethnographic museum, recent, is also worth a visit.
Khabarovsk – Birobidzhan : You can take any train outline to the West, otherwise two elektrishkas do the route in three hours (env. 300 rubles)
Birobidzhan
Capital of the region autonomous Jewish creates by the Soviet authorities in the years 1930, the city keeps quite a few traces of this part of its history : some panels of streets are lined in Hebrew as well as the sign at the railway station and the Central Post Office.
The line of Blagovetchensk detaches from the main route of the Trans-Siberian to Belogorsk, where you can take a bus if none does directly to Blagovetchensk from your departure city.
Every day, a train leaves for Khabarovsk, passes by Birobidzhan and arrives at Blagovetchensk around 8:30 the next day (platskart about 2000 rubles). Just before the arrival, We cross the Zeya on a large metal bridge.
Blagovetchensk
On the banks of the love, opposite the city China's Heihe, Blagovetchensk has some beautiful buildings the Tsarist era and a regional Museum friendly, which has among other things a fallen meteorite not far from the city. During the beautiful days, the shores of love are pleasant to browse, and Russians and Chinese bathe and make cruises on the river.
It is also possible to officially cross the border to the river station. Arrived in Heihe, You can take a train for Harbin.
Ulan-Ude
It is the capital of the Buryatia : the upper part is the Soviet part (around from the place of the Soviets with its imposing head of Lenin – probably the largest in the world); the lower part, near the river, contains some well-preserved wooden houses. A few interesting museums (ethnographic museum, Museum of Buryat art…)
By going to the West, the train crosses the Selenga delta and along the South shore of Baikal for several hours until Slioudyanka, where you can take the Circumbaikal (starts Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 1:24 pm. Return journeys take place the next night).
Port Baikal (the other terminus), It is possible to take a hydrofoil to Olkhon and further Severobaikalsk (Tuesday and Friday), or for Irkutsk.
Irkutsk
City which housed the Siberian nobility during the XVIII and XIX centuries, She is known for its districts in wood, Although in various States of preservation (some very well preserved, others lean dangerously… others also are burned, said to be criminally, to retrieve the field for real estate operation). Several museums (ethnographic museum, Museum of the city…) recreate the atmosphere of the 18th century and pay tribute to the first “gentlemen explorers” who colonized Siberia.
From the Center, the majestic railway station is across the river. Tram no. 1 made the shuttle. The airport is close to the centre; the domestic terminal is brand new, the international terminal is old and outdated. Take the bus 42, 43 or 80 from the centre.
Many trains, for example n ° 69, font liaising with Krasnoyarsk in 18 about hours (Kupe 3500 rubles)
Krasnoyarsk
Nice town even if it has no major curiosity. Just before the arrival, It crosses a huge bridge over the Yenisei. A pleasant trip half a day or a day is to climb to the Stolbys Park (rock formations) Thanks to a brand new ski lift, that works throughout the year. Take bus No. 37 to the terminus (“Bobroviy Log”).
Krasnoyarsk – Novosibirsk : about 12 hours.
Novosibirsk
Nothing much to see or do (its main Museum is currently closed for renovation). An interesting Railway Museum is located at Seyatel, in southern suburbs. Take one elektrishka from the central station.
Yekaterinburg
The centre is quite nice to go (If it's nice…) around the central pond or the Cathedral built on the place of execution of the Romanovs. Not far away, a photo gallery is housed on the first floor of an old camera store – always in activity. The trams are an attraction in itself : There are of all colors and all generations, alone or in pairs ! Yekaterinburg Autour, several sites have monuments to mark the “border” between Europe and Asia, the others are linked to the history of the Romanovs. At Alapaevsk, a narrow gauge train serves the villages four times per week.
For me who dream to browse the Russia aboard the Trans-Siberian railway, your blog is a real gold mine ! Thanks for sharing…