Anyone ever rode trains between Beijing and Moscow?

[Edge17]

I'm hearing discouraging things from my russian buddies. Anyone have any first hand experience?

 

[ed21x]

yeah, most people take the train all the way to Urumuqi in the Xinjian Province of China, and then take a 2-4 hour plane ride from there. It is just easier dealing with immigrations and everything else from an airport.

 

[Edge17]

Dealing with the immigration issues is more problematic on the Chinese side rather than the Russian side? I would have thought the opposite, but then I can't honestly say I have any idea what to expect.

 

[ed21x]

also, trains in china are kind of hit or miss. some are quite nice and new while others are completely ghetto.

 

[BeeVo]

I have ridden large portions of this route in Russia but never the whole thing. If you have your passport on you the whole time you won't have any trouble at least in Russia. Also unless you want a real adventure buy a coupe(I believe it is the same word in English as it is in Russian) ticket.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: BeeVo
I have ridden large portions of this route in Russia but never the whole thing. If you have your passport on you the whole time you won't have any trouble at least in Russia. Also unless you want a real adventure buy a coupe(I believe it is the same word in English as it is in Russian) ticket.

Heh, if you want a real adventure, don't have your passport on you.

 

[BeeVo]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire

Originally posted by: BeeVo
I have ridden large portions of this route in Russia but never the whole thing. If you have your passport on you the whole time you won't have any trouble at least in Russia. Also unless you want a real adventure buy a coupe(I believe it is the same word in English as it is in Russian) ticket.

Heh, if you want a real adventure, don't have your passport on you.

After living in Russia for a few years I have had some adventures a little crazier than that.

 

[Edge17]

So, my friend was telling me that having an American passport and showing it to someone (like police) is a bad idea in Russia because they're likely to take it. But then, he also said he hasn't lived in Russia for more than 10 years. Anyone the wiser?

 

[Edge17]

Anyone with a story?

 

[puffff]

I've done this before.. I went from Beijing to Ulan Batur to Moscow. The hard part will be getting the russian visa. Of course, you can pay a travel agency to take care of this for you. there are some that specialize in this sort of trip.


I thought it was a pretty awesome experience. Lake Baikal is an amazing sight. I happened to be on the Mongolian train and the thing was like a rolling bazaar the whole way. Met some Russians on board and even though they spoke like 5 words of english, they were really nice. I have a travel blog on some of my pictures experiences http://www.m-why.com/archives/russia/

 

[AZGamer]

I took Ulan Battar to Moscow... but I spoke decent Russian... so it wasn't as exotic.

The police may ask for your passport in Russia - doubtful if you're a white American; that's just what it is - show it to them, they won't steal it.

 

[Edge17]

Right, so that's part of it. I'm a brown Indian that's an American citizen. You think that might be more problematic...?

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

I've ridden on Chinese trains from Datong to Beijing. They are really good times - and you can easily get a sleeper.