Way to Russia Talk Lounge

danbrew

Hello everyone - I'm excited! I received my tickets from ConnectRussia.net today and am counting the days until I begin my trans-siberian journey. I'm doing things a bit differently than some - I'm going non-stop from Moscow to Beijing. I know that many stop and smell the roses along the way, but I'm trying to balance the train travel with a week on each end.

So... here are my tickets. There has been some discussion lately about what the tickets look like, how to interpret them, etc. So... may I ask for some help in translating the Russian on the tickets? I think I've reserved 2 berths in 1st class in a 2 berth compartment on the 004Z train on 9/Jan. Would a kind soul mind replying to this post with a translation? I'll edit the pictures and leave the translation on the pics as a resource to future travelers. I've hidden my passport # but that's all I've done. Any reason I shouldn't leave these posted on the net?

Looks like the total cost of the tickets was 21,660 rubles - or about $819. I paid ConnectRussia.net $1080 + fedex to get the tickets in the US. So... $260 for the service charge for two tickets. I think that charge is very reasonable considering somebody had to go to the train station and get the tix.

All in all, I'm pretty happy.

Thanks,

danbrew

CarlSpackler · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:51 pm Post subject:

On your Pink slip it says that the train leaves from Yaroslavsky Terminal at 21:35. Then there’s a date of issue, December 01, 2006. It also states that the ticket is valid for 4 month from the date of issue. What it means is that if you miss your train, you can get on the other one with the same route, using your old ticket, the only thing you’d have to pay for, in that case, is a new reservation (6284 RUR + 218 RUR commission).

The next Blue slip is your reservation. It states that you leave Moscow on the 9th of January at 21:35 and arrive to Peking (Beijing) on the 15th of January at 14:31, traveling in First Class.
The number of the train (similar to flight number) is 004(3A – probably means that you ravel abroad), number of the car is 09 (when you at the station, don’t count the cars look at the actual number posted, as sometimes cars are numbered from the tail of a train.) It also states that you’re traveling in a double occupancy sleeper cabin with bunks 11 (lower) and 12 (upper) reserved.

The second Blue slip is your actual ticket. There’s a bit of contradiction with the pink slip on top of it as it states that ticket is valid from December 01 to January 31 only. Below it says that the ticket covers the entire trip from Moscow to Beijing and lists major stops on your way.
The rubber stamp confirms that your reserved departure date is December 9th, 2007, on the train #004.

That’s about it.

Good luck and have a great trip!

danbrew · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks!

Does it specifically say 'upper' and 'lower' bunks? My understanding is that this is a 1st class carriage and is supposed to have two lower bunks in the compartment?

thanks again,

danbrew

CarlSpackler · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:11 am Post subject:

You’re right, it’s usually two lower bunks for the First Class, but it does specifically say on your reservation ”upper” and “lower”. It could be just a default printing in ticket machine…

danbrew · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:09 am Post subject:

I've got another question on this one... does the ticket say that there are only two berths in the compartment? I just read somewhere online that 1st class can have 2 or 4 berths. Would feel kind of stupid having purchased two tickets to get some privacy if there are actually four berths in the compartment...

?

thanks - danbrew