How to plan a Trans-Siberian trip on your own
The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world, with a length of 9,288.2 km (5,771.4 mi.). It passes through 8 time zones and 20 regions of Russia. The journey begins in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok. The journey takes almost seven days if you don’t get off the train. In our guide, we explain how to organize such a trip on your own, plan stops along the way and determine how much time you’ll need.
When is the best time to go?
It’s best to choose the warm season from May to September for your trip. By October, temperatures in Siberia can already drop below freezing and you’ll need bulky, warm clothes. However, if cold weather doesn’t scare you, travel whenever you like – the railway operates all year round.
What trains run on this route?
Many trains and suburban trains run between cities along the Trans-Siberian Railway. However, there are only two direct Moscow–Vladivostok trains – the ‘Rossiya’ branded train (departing from Moscow at 1 am) and a regular passenger train (departing at 10:30 pm). They pass through all the interesting stops along the route and are the most comfortable options for a long journey.
A one-way ticket on ‘Rossiya’ costs about 20,000 rubles (approx. $250) for a ‘platzkart’ and about 30,000 rubles for a compartment seat (approx. $370). Tickets for the second train are a little cheaper.
Check train schedules on the official Russian Railways website, on Tutu.ru and on Rasp.yandex.ru.
Train stations in major cities there have shower cabins, rest areas and waiting lounges. There are also showers on premium trains. And don’t forget to adjust your watch when you cross regional borders!
How to buy tickets
It’s best to buy train tickets in advance online. Sales open 90 days ahead. You can purchase them directly on the ‘RZD’ website, however only with a Russian ‘MIR’ card or at a station ticket office in cash or by ‘UnionPay’ card. However, foreign cards are accepted on websites, such as onetwotrip.com and Tutu.ru. Read more about how to purchase tickets here.
How to book a hotel in Russia
Is it worth traveling directly from Moscow to Vladivostok or should you make stops along the way?
The easiest option is to get on a train in Moscow and get off a week later in Vladivostok. But, it’s much more interesting to explore the cities along the way – incredible discoveries await travelers!
The classic route with stops usually looks like this: Moscow – Yekaterinburg – Tyumen – Novosibirsk – Krasnoyarsk – Irkutsk (with a short trip to Lake Baikal) – Ulan-Ude – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok. Such a trip takes about two weeks. And, if you have more time, add Perm, Chita and Birobidzhan.
You can find more details here.
The most convenient option is to take the ‘Rossiya’ train and make your first stop in Yekaterinburg. The train arrives there in the morning, so you’ll have a whole day to explore the city. Then continue your journey through the other cities.
You can return to Moscow from Vladivostok (or other cities) by plane.