Trans-Siberian Railway

This trip begins in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok and takes approximately seven days (you will go through 8 time zones). The train station for all departures is the Yaroslavskii Vokzal (across from this metro station Komsomol'skaia—the white "art nouveau" building), and the long-distance platforms are on the far side of the vokzal. Arrive at the station one hour before departure.

Tickets

Any travel agency specializing in Russian travel should be able to book Trans-Siberian tickets; however, make sure that the agency will also arrange your railway transit visa as part of the package. The price for a one-way ticket (Moscow-Vladivostok) in 1998 was $322, first class (it is apparently worth the extra money to go first class). It is also recommended that you buy the biggest compartment that you can afford. All first-class compartments are for two persons and they include a table, an armchair, and a washroom. The latter is shared with the adjoining compartment and even has a semi-functional shower.

What to bring

Comfortable, dark-colored clothing and layers of it.
Toilet paper and tissues.
Cup with a handle (you can put this to many uses, e.g., to "shower" with).
Quick-dry towel, soap, and Handiwipes.
Pocket knife.
Supply of plastic bags for trash and dirty laundry.
Thongs for trips to the toilet (floor frequently damp).
Slippers for cabin.
Books, CDs, Walkman + extra batteries, camera, and film.
Best route map you can find, with names of stops in Cyrillic.
Lots of small Russian bills (no one is willing to make change on the train).
Clean unwrinkled American dollar bills in $1, $5, $10, and $20 denominations.
Two watches (set one for local time and one for Moscow time).
Lots of patience and optimism.

Food

Your ticket does not include food. The train has a restaurant car, where the food ranges from fair to dismal and is always expensive. The restaurant is open at arbitrary hours and frequently runs out of food. Therefore, before boarding, do some grocery shopping in Moscow and load up to feed yourself for about one meal a day. Suggestions: dry soups, ramen noodles, tea, instant coffee, hot chocolate, crackers, peanut butter and jelly, canned food (don't forget a can opener) and granola bars. A samovar is kept boiling in each car, so you will have hot water available to add to your soups, tea, etc. When the train stops (about every 3 to 5 hours), vendors on the platforms sell pirozhki, fruit, veggies, bread, beer, and soft drinks. Make sure that you share (or offer to share) your food and drink with your compartment companions.

To find out more about various Trans-Siberian tickets, routes, excursions, and perhaps even homestays in Russia in conjunction with your journey, try this Web site. or e-mail STAR Travel in Moscow or e-mail Sindbad Travel in St. Petersburg.