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The Trans-Siberian or Rossiya Express: This train takes you straight across the steppes, making for a mysterious and long journey. Travelling on board the Trans-Siberian Express is truly a dream for many seasoned travelers.
The
Trans-Siberian leaves every other day. The traditional route takes you from Vladivostok to Moscow (or vice versa), and lasts 9 days, including 8 nights on board. First and second class travel are available on
this train, where travelers generally stay in compartments with 4 berths. The train includes a dining car.
Note
that if you're going from West to East and plan to go through Vladivostock and then take the ferry to Japan, you should plan for a one-night stopover in this old Russian port due to the train's late arrival.
Going from East to West, the trip starts in Vladivostok, an old Russian port located on the narrow strip of land connecting Siberia and Korea. The first leg of
the trip takes you through Khabarovsk and Chita, and then the historical city of Irkutsk, where there are buildings and churches dating back to the 18th century. After a stop in the region of Lake Baikal, one
of world's largest and that shelters a very large variety of wild species, the Trans-Siberian again sets out for a journey through Siberia, lasting four days and three nights, to finally end in Moscow, the
capital. The train goes through Krasnoiarsk, Novossibirsk, Omsk and Tcheliabinsk. The train stops all along this route, making your journey quite a unique experience as you get close to Russian reality while
seeing many amazing cities and regions. Short stops in villages provide a chance to meet the inhabitants as they try and sell you all kinds of things, from boiled potatoes to traditional Russian puppets.
The train is operated by RZD Russian Railways. A Russian visa is required.
You are not allowed to stop along the way, but you may create you own itinerary by taking other trains on the same route. For example: the Baikal Express
leaves Moscow every other day and so you can go from Moscow to Irkutsk (one direction only).
There
are many myths surrounding the Trans-Siberian, so you'll be wise to obtain the necessary information before making any decisions. The Trans-Siberian is not a luxury train, rather it is a train taken by
Russians to travel to and from the capital city of Moscow. Meals are not included in package prices and dining car food is not very sophisticated. Sanitary conditions are minimal and a shower is a luxury...
Even
with these limitations, a journey on the Trans-Siberian Express is an experience unlike any other.
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