Welcome aboard the
Trans-Siberian Railway
Traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway remains one of life's most memorable experiences. This railway, which represents the triumph of man over nature, crosses seven zones with different time zones and some of the most geographically challenging Russian regions but also richest in culture, history and breathtaking landscapes. Traveling along the Trans-Siberian Railway or on the Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian lines towards Mongolia and China is an unforgettable and rewarding experience, a pure journey that fully satisfies the spirit of discovery and the thirst for adventure. The classic itinerary connects Moscow, the fascinating Russian capital, with the port city of Vladivostok , overlooking the Pacific, covering the 9288 km that separate the two cities. During the journey from Moscow to the Russian Far East you will leave behind Yekaterinburg , with its historical memories linked to Tsar Nicholas and his family, Krasnoyarsk , where you can slow down and sail on the Yenisey River , Lake Baikal , an immense expanse of fresh water located in southern Siberia that freezes completely during the winter.
In the Russian Far East , Ulan Ude awaits you , a fascinating place where Russian and Buryat culture meet, and the lively Khabarovsk, on the banks of the Amur River.
The historic Trans-Siberian has multiple branches and secondary lines. The Trans-Mongolian Line , always fascinating, reaches all the way to China, to Beijing, passing through the magnificent landscapes of Mongolia and its lively capital, Ulaan Baatar.
Trans-Siberian trains are not made for those who love running and, with a few exceptions, for those who love luxury. Yet, a trip with the Trans-Siberian is never monotonous, also due to the possibility of getting to know your adventure companions during the several days of travel. Whether you decide to live a non-stop experience or one with just a few stops, savoring the landscapes that slowly unfold outside the window, or whether you opt, as we recommend, for a journey in stages to discover the most fascinating locations along the route, a one thing is certain:
this will be a trip you will remember forever.
Trans-Siberian
Programs
Trans-Siberian itineraries, travel times and stops along the way can be adapted to suit your needs, resulting in a package that meets your expectations. We offer you some example programs from which you can take inspiration for your trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway. In tourgroup specializes in organized trips for pre-established groups. For individuals we can study ad hoc itineraries and optimize them from the point of view of costs, visits and duration. All programs are customizable.
For your requests you can write to us at info@intourgroup.com
Trans-Siberian
16 days Moscow - Irkutsk
Moscow, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk
destination: Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is known to all as the longest railway in the world. It crosses the territory of the Russian Federation between mountainous landscapes, forests, green valleys and endless plains, crossed by enormous rivers and lakes, touching territories inhabited by welcoming people of different religious faiths: Orthodox, Muslims, Jews and Buddhists. It is a part of the Russian railway system, created to connect the immense territory in a practical, widespread and economical way. The Trans-Siberian Railway is therefore not a simple tourist attraction but an infrastructure of vital importance for the lives of millions of people who use it or live along its route.
length: the Trans-Siberian is the longest railway in the world, with its 9300 km covering the route from Moscow to Vladivostok.
geographical position: the Trans-Siberian Railway is located in Russia and connects European Russia to the Russian Far East, passing through the Ural Mountains, the geographical border between Europe and Asia.
cities and regions: the Trans-Siberian Railway passes through 87 cities, located in Russian regions characterized by extreme cultural and religious variety, such as the Muslim Republic of Tatarstan and the Buddhist Republic of Buryatia.
rivers crossed: there are 16 large rivers that cross the Trans-Siberian railway. The main ones are the Volga, the Yenisei, and the Amur.
time zones crossed: on the Trans-Siberian route traveling from Moscow to Vladivostok and vice versa you cross 7 time zones.
the most western point: the westernmost point on the Trans-Siberian Railway is the city of Moscow
the most eastern point: the easternmost point of the Trans-Siberian route is the city of
Khabarovsk, which is located 5 days from Moscow)
the most southern point: the southernmost point of the Trans-Siberian Railway is Vladivostok, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, 5 days from Moscow.
the most northern point: the northernmost Trans-Siberian city is the city of Kirov
landscape types: European Russia is characterized by extensive plains with rare hills, covered with meadows or forests and steppe. The Ural area, the border between Asia and Europe, is characterized by hills and low reliefs. Beyond the Urals we enter Siberia, first with expanses of infinite steppe which in the eastern part gives way to the Siberian taiga, the splendid landscapes of Lake Baikal, and the famous Russian permafrost, barren and perpetually frozen terrain.
The main, northern route
itinerary : Moscow, Yaroslavl, Kirov, Perm, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan-UdÄ—, Chita, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok.
total length: 9,300 km
The new route, via Nizhny Novgorod
itinerary : Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Perm, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan UdÄ—, Chita, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok.
total length: 9,260 km
The southern route, via Kazan
itinerary : Moscow, Murom, Arzamas, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan UdÄ—, Chita, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok.
total length: 9,150 km
The Trans-Mongolian, from Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia
itinerary : Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Perm, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan UdÄ—, Ulan Bataar (Mongolia), Beijing (China).
total length: 7,620 km
Best time to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian route covers areas characterized by a continental climate. Winters are therefore harsh, with frequent snowfall. If you love the winter season and picturesque snowy landscapes, Winter is the season for you but you need to travel with clothing suitable for the low temperatures typical of these climate zones. The spectacle of frozen Lake Baikal certainly repays the effort. Spring, on the other hand, sees a rise in temperatures and the sudden awakening of nature with the melting of the winter snows (from March to the end of April). The season is good for a trip on the Trans-Siberian but be careful of sudden changes in temperatures, which are still possible until May. Summer is definitely the ideal season to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway . Temperatures along the route vary from 15 to 30 or more degrees. Autumn, particularly September and early October, is still a good time to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway . The temperatures are still relatively mild, the line is less crowded and from the window of your cabin you can admire the spectacle of the autumn foliage, the golden Trans-Siberian autumn.
The high season certainly includes late spring, the entire summer and early autumn (April-September). Domestic tourism is particularly active and train travel is in great demand. In these periods it is therefore advisable to plan your itinerary as far in advance as possible to find train tickets on the Trans-Siberian Railway at the best price. The rates of train tickets in Russia vary based on availability and demand.
Tips for traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway
what to bring when traveling on the Trans-Siberian: we definitely recommend a good trolley with wheels, easy to handle in stations and in the narrow spaces of the train corridors. The dimensions must not be excessive to be stored in the appropriate spaces present in each cabin of the train on the Trans-Siberian. It is possible to add a small backpack to have the necessary things at hand on a day-to-day basis (without having to open the suitcase in the narrow spaces of the compartment). Clothing must conform to the temperatures of the period you have chosen for your Trans-Siberian, keeping in mind that the climate in these areas is subject to rapid changes. There is a heating system on Russian trains and the temperatures in the train carriages on the Trans-Siberian are very high. At the same time, the summer heat is mitigated by the air conditioning, which is always present. Heating and cooling are usually centralized, so it is best to dress flexibly to adapt to the temperature of the carriage. Don't forget your slippers, it's not customary to wear shoes on Russian train carriages. In the stopping cities along the route there will be no shortage of pharmacies, we recommend that you also bring a minimum amount of medicines with you on the train (in addition to those you use daily).
bathrooms on the Trans-Siberian : Most carriages on the Trans-Siberian have shared bathrooms. In some cases, first class cabins with private bathrooms are available.
electrical sockets on board Russian trains on the Trans-Siberian Railway: Electrical sockets are not always available in Trans-Siberian cabins. We therefore recommend a small power bank to charge electronic devices. In general the sockets are usually shuko , German style.
internet and telephone line on the Trans-Siberian : not always available as you pass through uninhabited areas. We therefore recommend preparing films, music and ebooks that can be used offline. We also recommend purchasing a Russian SIM, to avoid the high costs of international roaming.
food on board the Trans-Siberian train: restaurant carriages are available on the trains of the Trans-Siberian line, offering typical Russian cuisine. Typical Mongolian and Chinese dishes will be served on routes in Mongolia and China. However, it is recommended to bring a minimum amount of easily storable food with you, especially on longer journeys. On each carriage there is a samovar, a kettle that dispenses hot water for tea or coffee. During stops it can often happen that you can buy food, fruit and vegetables from street vendors in the stations or directly on the platform.
Russian trains on the Trans-Siberian Railway
The enormous distances in Russia have made this convenient and economical way of traveling essential. The railway in Russia is an institution, a vital infrastructure essential for Russian society. Traveling on a train in Russia means sharing the travel experience with people, coming into direct contact with the passengers of a line that every day transports thousands of people for work or tourism, distant destinies that for a few hours or a few days they find each other on a carriage, in a cabin on the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway.
A. Lux class cabins , with bathroom and shower in the cabin
Luxury VIP class cabins are available on some Trans-Siberian trains, which are twice as large as first class. There are usually 4-6 cabins for each carriage. When there are 4 there is usually also a lounge bar available on the carriage. They are usually equipped with a 120cm wide pull-out sofa bed at the bottom and a 90cm wide upper bunk. The VIP compartments on the Trans-Siberian trains are equipped with a table, wardrobe, independent air conditioning, TV and wifi. They are equipped with a private bathroom, which also functions during stops at the station. Each bathroom has a shower. The cabin door can be closed from the inside.
B. SV 1st class cabins
First class cabins are available on most Trans-Siberian trains. First class cabins on Russian trains have 2 low beds, usually around 80-90cm wide. The maximum occupancy of the cabin is 2 people, but it can be used for single use by purchasing both seats for a single person. The cabin door can be closed from the inside. The cabin is equipped with a table and luggage compartment. On some very long-distance trains, a shower is available in the first class carriages, shared with the bathrooms. As a rule, air conditioning and heating are centralized.
C. Kupe' 2nd Class cabins
The most popular class on Trans-Siberian trains is second class, known as kupe'. These are carriages with shared bathroom, divided into separate 4-seater compartments, equipped with 2 low beds and two high beds. The maximum occupancy of the Kupe' second class cabins is 4 people but they can also be booked for 1-2-3 people by purchasing all 4 tickets in the relevant compartment. The cabin door can be closed from the inside. The cabin is equipped with a table and luggage compartment. As a rule, air conditioning and heating are centralized.
D. Platzkart 3rd Class cabins
The cheapest class on the Trans-Siberian trains is Platzkart, third class. These are carriages with shared bathroom, divided into open 4-seater compartments, equipped with 2 low beds and two high beds. Rows with low and high beds are also available along the corridor. Despite the total lack of privacy, the Platzkart class allows you to fully experience the atmosphere of train travel in Russia. Each seat is equipped with a table and luggage compartment. The air conditioning and heating are centralized.