Travelling On the Trans-Siberian Railway as A Backpacker
If you love backpacking, cheap travels, and plenty of adventure, check out the benefits of a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Image by Enzojz via Flickr
The whole idea of travelling to Russia has become popular with backpackers, it seems that they are either making their way to major destinations in Moscow or St. Petersburg, or they choose to traverse the entire country by heading off on the Trans-Siberian railway. This is a highly recommended train trip adventure for just about anyone, and here is why.
- 1. Russia Is a Massive Piece of Land
The Trans-Siberian expands from Moscow to Vladivostok, and lasts around six days. If you decide to take the Trans-Mongolian route, you are looking at around seven days. To backpack around the country to some of the cities along the route, the train makes for an easier and cheaper journey.
- 2. Trains Are a Comfortable Way to Get Around
Unlike planes and busses, you can walk around on trains and enjoy flat-beds. You can even hop off for some fresh air when you need to. Best of all, you don’t have to cope with checking in bags or navigating through airport security. Epic Trans-Siberian railway travel is a backpacker’s delight!
- 3. The Train Is an Experience Not to be Missed
When it comes to train travel, the journey really is half the adventure. With the Trans-Siberian, you can ride in what was once Soviet surroundings, meet the locals, or sleep comfortably to the sounds of Russian conversations. Every train is an exceptional adventure. From the breeze of vodka and cigarettes to the smell of dried fish, Russian trains are a thrill for foreigners.
- 4. Purchasing Tickets Can Help the Visa Process
One of the most discouraging tasks to making your Russian train experience a certainty is the inconvenient visa process. While it may not be the most affordable visa on the market, you will also need a letter of invitation and an itinerary beforehand. However, using a reputable travel company for your train tickets in advance can help secure a place on the train and get you all the information needed to speed up the visa process.
- 5. Head for the Road Less Travelled
Interest in travelling through Russia has certainly increased, but it still remains a little more complicated than a trip to Europe. By riding the railways through Russia, you really get to take the road less travelled.
- 6. Bypass the Airplane System
It is a known fact that the Russian air transport system has been riddled with bad experiences over the years. While this may not be the case these days, you can still go across the beautiful country overland instead of in the air.
Customise Your Journey
Many backpackers think that a trip on the railway has to be done all in one go. The idea of five to seven days of just sitting on a train isn’t everyone’s idea of an adventure, but it doesn’t have to be that way at all. You can use your train booking service to customise your adventure, so you may want plan a 3-week adventure from Beijing up to St. Petersburg with a few stops along the way, and utilising various classes of service.
You can even take a hands-on approach to booking your tickets, but hiring a reputable travel company will ensure every step is fully planned out for you.