Looking for tips on how to do the Trans-Siberian on the cheap London to Beijing

4/30/2014 6:08:57 AM

Since you’re looking to do it “on the cheap”, here are some money-saving tips:

The best tip I know of is to use the cheaper local trains only (ones that don’t cross international borders) to get right up to the border, then cross the border on land, and continue by train on the other side. (Wikitravel has plenty of info on both Russia/Mongolia and Mongolia/China land crossings, I’ve done China into Mongolia at Erlian myself and it was easy). This also allows you to use the cheaper “platzkart” (open compartment) trains instead of “kupe” (closed compartment) ones, which are a must if you want to truly experience Russian train travel. There’s some talk in Russia of phasing out “platzkart” trains, so it’s all the more reason to try them out before they’re gone – it’s the way most Russians travel (and used to travel in Soviet times) – it’s kind of the equivalent of economy-class flights in the US, the “standard mode of long-distance transportation”.

Another money-saving tip: There are very active CouchSurfing communities in most Russian cities along the Trans-Siberian (I have not checked this in China and Mongolia, but there it’s generally not a problem to find cheap accommodations anyway).

9/14/2011 11:04:06 AM

About buying tickets for the trans-siberian – you can buy them up to 60 days before the trip.
Also you can get some discounts on return tickets to the Mongolia.

About obtaining visa for such trip

9/14/2011 11:23:25 AM

Seat61 is the best site concerning train travel in Europe. It also has a section about a train travel from London to Peking.

There are a lot of practical tips, hints and suggestions. A very detailed section also covers the Visa details of all countries you travel trough.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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