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General
Stuff ...
- You
can book your own tickets - no matter what anyone says. It may take
some effort and wandering. (start with the info on our links page for
the maninseat61& Russian online train info.
- The
stop schedule is posted in each carriage and is easy to work
out, don't get caught out by the train leaving you in Siberia.
- Drinks (water/beer/soft
drinks) and
Food (bread, noodles, cakes, chocolate, dried fish) are offered by
hawkers at every stop. So dont feel like you have to make your mars bar
last 4 days.
- We
traveled Platskartny from Moscow to Irkutsk and it was fine, dont be
scared by the photos.
- Bring some snacks to
share - packet
coffee, chocolate
 etc.
- Tea-cups are available
on board to
hire, we made our own train proof cup by using jam jars inside a stubby
holder (wont spill, stays warm :-) )
- Temperatures
on the train vary, so be prepared for anything from open windows with a
cold breeze to tropical heating.
- People
sleep alot, so dont plan on huge card games, something you can do
quietly is preferred.
Russia
St.Petersburg
Hermitage Museum is free on the first Thursday of each month.
Mutant Museum is a weird museum worth a look.
Transport -
Buying TS tickets was easy at the central ticket office just off Nevsky Prospect
St Petersburg to Moscow 2nd class 1230 Roubles
Moscow to Irkutsk Platskartny 3103 Roubles.
Accommodation-
It's expensive and a must to book in advance. Hostel below has the
prime location close to all the tourist sights and within 2 mins walk
of Hermitage and Nevsky Prospect..
Hostel Nord - dorm room 32 USD
Moscow
You won't be long in Russia before you hear horror stories of people
having to bribe police in Moscow. The trick to never give a policeman
your passport, always carry a copy and offer this instead - you can say
your passport is back at the hotel in the process of registration.
There is a rule in Russia that you have to officially register at a
guesthouse if you are more than 3 business days in one place. If the
police catch you without such a stamp outside the 3 business day
requirement they can fine you. As expected the stamp costs money and
can usually be arranged by the hostel. Don't lose any pieces of paper
that you receive at the border on the way in...all these are vital to
exit. If you have a mobile phone it's an idea to have your embassy
number saved as a contact just in case. Basically, in Moscow keep your
head low, try not to stand out like a sore thumb, avoid the police and
never hand over your passport.
Embassy of Mongolia Ul. Borisoglebskaya 11
Close to Arabat Street processes visas quickly. As a rule they charge
foreigners the express rate so people can have their passports back (to
show the police). If you're happy enough to leave your passport for a
couple of days the price will be cheaper. In 2006 tourist visa approx
970 Roubles.
Eating - Moo Moo restaurants offer point and shoot food. McDonalds is also on hand.
Transport-
An impressive underground train system will take you around Moscow, the
stations themselves are all different and are an attraction in
themselves.
Tickets for Trans Siberian Moscow -> UB can be got at Yaroslavsky
station. Very hard to find anyone willing to serve you in the main
station. After an hour trying we finally went across to the next
building where there is a English speaking international ticket seller
commission is 160 roubles per ticket.
Ticket Irkutsk to UB 1835 roubles + 160 roubles commission (platzkartny)
Accommodation -
Sweet Moscow Hostel Arabat Street. Dorm bed 25 USD. Small hostel, rush for bathroom in morning, good location.
Irkutsk
- Not
much of a city, try to stay
close to the centre.
- Most
people stop here to head to
Olkhon Island which is a must see. Head to the bus
station and you will find more than just the scheduled buses heading to
Olkhon, private mini buses will take the overflow.
- Visa registration available at Hotel Angara about 380 roubles.
Train
station is within walking distance of city, trams also service the city
#4 runs between train station, city and bus station.
Accommodation -
Downtown backpackers 20 USD dorm bed.
Olkhon Island
- Nikitas
is the place to stay. Full
board, banyas, bike hire and shows.
- There
are some great bike rides on
the island, but beware, the roads are sandy, the hills are hills and
distances are not small. Be prepared as there is not much traffic on
these roads to hitch back with.
- There
are general stores in Khuzir
where you can stock up on drinks and snacks if the Omul is not enough
at Nikitas :-)
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Still
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Mongolia |
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