4 ms·

I wonder if it's possible to get some special ticket that lets you make the trip in separate legs at your leisure? Alternatively — I'm assuming it's possible to

by osense 10y ago

I wonder if it's possible to get some special ticket that lets you make the trip in separate legs at your leisure? Alternatively — I'm assuming it's possible to buy tickets at any of the stations where the train makes a stop — how large would be the financial overhead, compared to buying a ticket for the whole thing up front? It would be awesome to take stops in interesting places for as long as you want during the journey.

jlg23 10y ago
Yes/no - it's complicated, I just did some research into that trip[1]. TL;DR: No, there are no hop-on-and-off tickets, yes, you can buy tickets at any of the stations but you might be out of luck because it's fully booked, leaving you stranded for a few days. [1] https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Trans-Siberian_Railway#Tickets https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Trans-Siberian_Railway#Ticket...
- osense 10y ago
  Whoa, didn't expect that much travelling information on Wikipedia, it almost reads like a travel guide. Thanks a lot for the link.
  - jlg23 10y ago
    It actually is a travel guide (called itinerary on wikivoyage) ;)
    - osense 10y ago
      Ah, I didn't notice at all :) Didn't even know there was such a thing as wikivoyage, definitely very cool though.
    - guard-of-terra 10y ago
      Unfortunately, much of information looks out of date or imprecise. I'm contemplating doing edits. "Tickets to international destinations (international means Mongolia and China, but not ex-USSR countries) are a completely different story. You can buy them only at dedicated cash desks (международные кассы) at major train stations. You can't buy such tickets online, even if you see the number of free seats and other details on the website. Prices do not depend on the season. They are calculated in Swiss Francs." WUT? Maybe it was indeed so at some point of time but now it's news from Mars.
soyiuz 10y ago
I grew up on Soviet trains and have traveled extensively in the region. Let me tell you the secret to the Russian railroad system: do not buy tickets from agencies or even from the official ticket office. The stewardess for each train car is in charge of checking tickets, gets paid next to nothing, and relies on gray market transactions to make a living. Walk through the train until you find a clean car that you like and talk to the stewardess directly. Arrange your destination an the price with the her (this is true if you have a ticket or not). For a small extra fee you can buy out all four seats in the second class coupe or cabin. The price is entirely negotiable. Understand that your presence on the train without taking care of the stewardess is a loss of income. Do not be surprised about gruff treatment. Once you pay her directly expect a much friendlier transaction. Arrange everything with your host: meals, money exchange, etc. Compensate generously and you will have an amazing time.

by osense 10y ago

jlg23 10y ago

Yes/no - it's complicated, I just did some research into that trip[1]. TL;DR: No, there are no hop-on-and-off tickets, yes, you can buy tickets at any of the stations but you might be out of luck because it's fully booked, leaving you stranded for a few days. [1] https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Trans-Siberian_Railway#Tickets https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Trans-Siberian_Railway#Ticket...

osense 10y ago
Whoa, didn't expect that much travelling information on Wikipedia, it almost reads like a travel guide. Thanks a lot for the link.
- jlg23 10y ago
  It actually is a travel guide (called itinerary on wikivoyage) ;)
  - osense 10y ago
    Ah, I didn't notice at all :) Didn't even know there was such a thing as wikivoyage, definitely very cool though.
  - guard-of-terra 10y ago
    Unfortunately, much of information looks out of date or imprecise. I'm contemplating doing edits. "Tickets to international destinations (international means Mongolia and China, but not ex-USSR countries) are a completely different story. You can buy them only at dedicated cash desks (международные кассы) at major train stations. You can't buy such tickets online, even if you see the number of free seats and other details on the website. Prices do not depend on the season. They are calculated in Swiss Francs." WUT? Maybe it was indeed so at some point of time but now it's news from Mars.

soyiuz 10y ago

I grew up on Soviet trains and have traveled extensively in the region. Let me tell you the secret to the Russian railroad system: do not buy tickets from agencies or even from the official ticket office. The stewardess for each train car is in charge of checking tickets, gets paid next to nothing, and relies on gray market transactions to make a living. Walk through the train until you find a clean car that you like and talk to the stewardess directly. Arrange your destination an the price with the her (this is true if you have a ticket or not). For a small extra fee you can buy out all four seats in the second class coupe or cabin. The price is entirely negotiable. Understand that your presence on the train without taking care of the stewardess is a loss of income. Do not be surprised about gruff treatment. Once you pay her directly expect a much friendlier transaction. Arrange everything with your host: meals, money exchange, etc. Compensate generously and you will have an amazing time.