9 reasons why you should go on the Trans Siberian Express
“Disclosure: Please bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a commission at no cost at you. Keep in mind that we link these accommodations because of their quality and not because of the commission we receive. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to reserve is completely up to you. We are independent bloggers and the reviews are done based on our own experiences and opinions.”
Hello trainlove! In 2016 I did not only decide to pack my bags and travel the world all by myself, but I also decided to take one of the magnificent train journeys in the world, the Trans Siberia Express. Well actually I was on the Trans Mangolia Train. And I wasn’t by myself but with a random colleague who turned out to be a friend. If this wasn’t enough, I was very lucky to do the train journey again with my grandmother of 80 just before the pandemic in 2020. So my biggest concern was, will I get bored? But also… How am I going to spend my day? How am I going to survive wintertime in Siberia? Why should you go for this train experience of a few days and almost 10.000 kilometers? Or maybe even a better question, why should you not go? 9 reasons why you should consider going on the Trans Siberian Express.
Well you can still decide to sleep in a private bunker by yourself. However, meeting the locals on the train, platforms and on the streets gives you the real “glow” feeling. Trying to understand the locals, playing games with your follower traveler(s), laughing and drinking with anyone who is up to it. People wil share their food and you can share your local drink from home. Sometimes you have the best fun trying to communicate. Trust me, not everyone speaks English, but that is the challenge and the fun you have.
Think of the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Hermitage, the Kremlin, Church of the Spilled Blood and much much much more. I’m not only talking about museums, but the buildings and the history that come along with it. Just the whole atmosphere you feel. It is also possible to invest in the locals. Staying with nomads in Mongolia for example is a great opportunity to learn more about the culture and at the same time to have an extraordinary experience.
Traveling by train means you get to decide where you get off and what you get to see. Every town has something to do, especially if you decide to stay at the Baikal Lake. Twice I went on the dog sledding tour. Once I went on the ‘Troika’, with a very special winter BBQ. But you can also try a typical Russian spa day (I can really recommend), riding over the Baikal Lake, horse riding in Mongolia or decide to take a hike of the beaten path on the Great Wall.
Ending or starting your trip in Beijing is a most do. Walking around the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg is something you do not want to mis. Visiting the museum of Boris Jeltsin – the first democratic chosen president of Russia – in Jekaterinburg is very special. Or wondering around in the underground palaces in Moscow, the subway stations.
I was really surprised that starring out the window like a “bored teenager” was the main reason I fell in love with this train journey. Falling a sleep and waking up in a complete different environment. Seeing trees all covered in snow, a frozen lake or endless mountain tops. You will be also be much more conscious about the change in culture.
I will be very honest with you, saving the planet was not my main reason to do this trip. However, I learned that I love to travel by train. A good side effect is saving the planet, well a little bit. If you take an airplane on the same route, your emission is 1305.1 kg. However if you decide to take the classic Trans Siberian Express route (9288 km), you will have a CO2 emission of 316.1 kg. So by train you emit 76% less CO2. This way you can enjoy your trip with a peace of mind.
Not sure what to expect foodwise in the train nor Russia. Well as a foodie I couldn’t be happier. Yummm! From streetfood to fancy dinners, this trip has it all. For all my food recommendations I wrote a separate post!
Knowing the time on board was very confusing for me, even with a smartphone. It was weird, the train was always moving, passing timezone after timezone. Trains in Russia run on Moscow time, even at the train station. Because you often are in the middle of nowhere without phone reception, your phone is not updating the time. And no, most trains do not have Wi-Fi. Did I miss it? Not for a second. If you are on the train for six or seven days – in my case four – who cares what time it is.
Some of the most inspiring destinations, are not the good old bounty beaches, but places that can get very cold. Having said that, traveling during spring/summer time in Siberia does not mean freezing weather. I thought that the winterwonderland was quite magical. You can still have fun in the snow. Besides, there is not something as the wrong weather, but the wrong clothes. You just need to be prepared for these places.
9 reasons why you should go on the Trans Siberian Express
“Disclosure: Please bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a commission at no cost at you. Keep in mind that we link these accommodations because of their quality and not because of the commission we receive. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to reserve is completely up to you. We are independent bloggers and the reviews are done based on our own experiences and opinions.”
Hello trainlove! In 2016 I did not only decide to pack my bags and travel the world all by myself, but I also decided to take one of the magnificent train journeys in the world, the Trans Siberia Express. Well actually I was on the Trans Mangolia Train. And I wasn’t by myself but with a random colleague who turned out to be a friend. If this wasn’t enough, I was very lucky to do the train journey again with my grandmother of 80 just before the pandemic in 2020. So my biggest concern was, will I get bored? But also… How am I going to spend my day? How am I going to survive wintertime in Siberia? Why should you go for this train experience of a few days and almost 10.000 kilometers? Or maybe even a better question, why should you not go? 9 reasons why you should consider going on the Trans Siberian Express.
Well you can still decide to sleep in a private bunker by yourself. However, meeting the locals on the train, platforms and on the streets gives you the real “glow” feeling. Trying to understand the locals, playing games with your follower traveler(s), laughing and drinking with anyone who is up to it. People wil share their food and you can share your local drink from home. Sometimes you have the best fun trying to communicate. Trust me, not everyone speaks English, but that is the challenge and the fun you have.
Think of the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Hermitage, the Kremlin, Church of the Spilled Blood and much much much more. I’m not only talking about museums, but the buildings and the history that come along with it. Just the whole atmosphere you feel. It is also possible to invest in the locals. Staying with nomads in Mongolia for example is a great opportunity to learn more about the culture and at the same time to have an extraordinary experience.
Traveling by train means you get to decide where you get off and what you get to see. Every town has something to do, especially if you decide to stay at the Baikal Lake. Twice I went on the dog sledding tour. Once I went on the ‘Troika’, with a very special winter BBQ. But you can also try a typical Russian spa day (I can really recommend), riding over the Baikal Lake, horse riding in Mongolia or decide to take a hike of the beaten path on the Great Wall.
Ending or starting your trip in Beijing is a most do. Walking around the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg is something you do not want to mis. Visiting the museum of Boris Jeltsin – the first democratic chosen president of Russia – in Jekaterinburg is very special. Or wondering around in the underground palaces in Moscow, the subway stations.
I was really surprised that starring out the window like a “bored teenager” was the main reason I fell in love with this train journey. Falling a sleep and waking up in a complete different environment. Seeing trees all covered in snow, a frozen lake or endless mountain tops. You will be also be much more conscious about the change in culture.
I will be very honest with you, saving the planet was not my main reason to do this trip. However I learned that I love to travel by train. A good side effect is saving the planet, well a little bit. If you take an airplane on the same route, your emission is 1305.1 kg. However if you decide to take the classic Trans Siberian Express route (9288 km), you will have a CO2 emission of 316.1 kg. So by train you emit 76% less CO2. This way you can enjoy your trip with a peace of mind.
Not sure what to expect foodwise in the train nor Russia. Well as a foodie I couldn’t be happier. Yummm! From streetfood to fancy dinners, this trip has it all. For all my food recommendations I wrote a separate post!
Knowing the time on board was very confusing for me, even with a smartphone. It was weird, the train was always moving, passing timezone after timezone. Trains in Russia run on Moscow time, even at the train station. Because you often are in the middle of nowhere without phone reception, your phone is not updating the time. And no, most trains do not have Wi-Fi. Did I miss it? Not for a second. If you are on the train for six or seven days – in my case four – who cares what time it is.
Some of the most inspiring destinations, are not the good old bounty beaches, but places that can get very cold. Having set that, traveling during spring/summer time in Siberia does not mean freezing weather. I thought that the winterwonderland was quite magical. You can still have fun in the snow. Besides, there is not something as the wrong weather, but the wrong clothes. You just need to be prepared for these places.