| You can travel up
to 9,000 km and cross seven time zones
on the Trans-Siberian
express, a working train that links Europe and Asia.
Some people take the Trans-Siberian to enjoy
the journey in its own right, says Odette Fussey of tour
operator, The Russia Experience.
Other people include the train
journey in a round-the-world itinerary, she told a slide show organised
by Global
Village.
Whatever your reasons for embarking on the world's
longest train journey, you cannot hop on and off the train.
You
must either stay on the train for the entire journey, or predetermine
your stops in advance. Not least because the Russian visa is city-
and date-specific. If you do not cross the Russian border on the
date stated on the visa, you can receive a fine of up to US$2,000.
You should also book as far in advance as possible
to allow enough time to obtain visas for Russia, China and Mongolia.
The Trans-Siberian express has three routes.
The Trans-Siberian runs from Moscow to Vladivostok. The Trans-Manchurian
runs from Moscow to Beijing. And the Trans-Mongolian runs from
Moscow to Beijing via Ulaan Baatar.
If you can, spend some time in Moscow, at Irkutsk
for Lake Baikal, in Ulaan Baatar and in Beijing, recommends Fussey.
You need to be in the right spirit to enjoy spending
so much time on the train, she says. As it is a 'working train'
- one used by locals, as opposed to a tourist train - there is
plenty of opportunity to meet local people.
But food on the train
is dull and vegetarians are likely to have a difficult time, says
Fussey, who advised nut-allergy sufferers not to travel at all.
Allow equivalent of about US$15 cash a day for
food on the train. Also, buy food and treats in Russia before you
board. Take powdered drinks - hot water is available
in every carriage.
You can charge camera batteries - for a small fee.
Pack lightweight clothes, as the train is often
overheated, she suggests. And keep your day packs (including your
passport and visas) with you at all times - for security reasons.
Spring and Autumn are the best times to go.
For
further details see: www.trans-siberian.co.uk |
