Way to Russia Talk Lounge

bulbaelmus · Just Starting Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 3

Do I really have to order a ticket 45 days in advance? Is there any quicker way? Like 20 days or something?

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 520

You can do it as late as you like. You just can't order them more than 45 days in advance. But if you're traveling in peak season then it's better to get them as early as possible, otherwise you might not get the train or class that you want.

lowcrust · Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:22 pm Post subject:

Oh, so that's why I can't get a quote on my September 21st train to Ulan Bataar? I tried booking it but the prices came up empty and my order e-mail said something about getting a confirmation e-mail within 24 hours but I still haven't gotten a reply...?

lowcrust · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:48 pm Post subject:

Well now it's less than 45 days and I've submitted a new request (actually two different) but there's still no reply. Anyone know what to do?

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 520

I'm guessing you chose Transiberiana as the vendor. They have a great service but unfortunately they are very slow. If you just need a ticket from Moscow to Ulan Bataar (with no stopovers and no onward journey to Beijing) then submit another request with Connect Russia. They're much quicker. If you need stopovers (for example, in Irkutsk) then Transiberiana are the only ones who can do it.

lowcrust · Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks a lot Greg!

Actually it was with Connect Russia, but I did get a reply eventually! I'm just concerned with the price. On the Way to Russia train timetable (http://trains.waytorussia.net) the price listed for Moscow - Ulan Bataar is $165 for 2nd class and $265 for 1st. With those kind of prices we thought 1st class would be an option.

I realize that those prices are without commission and should be used as a guide rather than exact figures but I was still a little perplexed about the reply;

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 520

Hi David. I just checked your order - it is Transiberiana who replied. Connect Russia sent your request to them since they can't do tickets from Ulan Bator to Beijing. The prices we have are the base rate and so aren't accurate for every train all year round. And while the tickets you have been offered have been marked up a fair bit, I would guess that it's more around 30% than 100%.

Remember that you don't have to book all four berths in the cabin, that was just their suggestion.

Greg

lowcrust · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 4:17 am Post subject:

Ah, I see, thanks for the clarification.

Yes obviously all 4 beds are out of question. As we're on a rather tight budget do you think it could be worth trying to travel to Moscow and take a chance on getting tickets at the train station? I'm feeling a little adventurous but my wife thinks it's a big risk (in not getting tickets at all).

In worse case scenareo we would have to fly to Ulan Bataar (we can fly very cheaply).

Or do you think $300 is a fair price and it's not worth the risk of it being sold out? We could wait for another train, I'd love to spend time in Moscow anyway, but then we would probably stay a shorter period of time in Ulan Bataar, maybe even fly from there to Beijing.

What I would like to do the most is getting an open ticket that lets you travel along the trans-sib route and make 1 or 2 day stops along the way, but I've heard that is tricky and very expensive?

Best regards and sorry for all the questions!
/David

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 520

Sorry, I really can't say. Mid-September is still a busy period. You might get tickets, you might not. If you're willing to be delayed for a week in Moscow then I think you'd be fine - you shouldn't have trouble buying tickets 10 days or so in advance. But then, you never know...

Ulan Bataar to Beijing is only a 28 hour trip by train so probably not much point flying that section. But if flying Moscow to Ulan Bataar is an option for you then I guess you would be covered.

To my knowledge open tickets don't exist. That would require some sort of initiative or desire to attract tourists.

Sorry I can't give more definite answers, but it's impossible to say for certain. And I wouldn't want to give advice that would spoil your trip. Good luck with your decision.