Once In A Lifetime Journey
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Djibouti
      • Kenya
      • Madagascar
      • Malawi
      • Namibia
      • Rwanda
      • Somaliland
      • South Africa
      • Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Andorra
      • Azerbaijan
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Kosovo
      • Macedonia
      • Malta
      • Monaco
      • Montenegro
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • North & Central America
      • American Samoa
      • El Salvador
      • Guam
      • Guatemala
      • Hawaii
      • Honduras
      • Mexico
      • United States
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Peru
    • Middle East
      • Oman
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Sudan
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Pacific
      • American Samoa
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
      • Fiji
      • French Polynesia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Kiribati
      • Micronesia
      • Nauru
      • New Zealand
      • Palau
      • Samoa
      • Solomon Islands
      • Tonga
      • Tuvalu
      • Vanuatu
    • Southeast Asia
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Central & North Asia
      • Bhutan
      • Bangladesh
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Macau
      • Maldives
      • Mongolia
      • Nepal
      • North Korea
      • Pakistan
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Tibet
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      Cool & rare passport stamps from around the…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Simple steps to controling pre-flight anxiety

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      How to combat the fear of flying (Aerophobia)

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      Top tips for family travel stress

      January 21, 2021

  • Reviews
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Train, Planes & helicopters
    • Food & Drinks
    • Spa & Wellness
    • Tour & Activities
  • Resources
  • Wine Tourism
    • Australia
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Thailand
    • US
    • South Africa
  • Solo female travel
  • Countries visited: 115
  • Currently in : Singapore 🇸🇬
  • Partner with us
  • SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS COMMUNITY

Once In A Lifetime Journey

Once In A Lifetime Journey
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Djibouti
      • Kenya
      • Madagascar
      • Malawi
      • Namibia
      • Rwanda
      • Somaliland
      • South Africa
      • Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Andorra
      • Azerbaijan
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Kosovo
      • Macedonia
      • Malta
      • Monaco
      • Montenegro
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • North & Central America
      • American Samoa
      • El Salvador
      • Guam
      • Guatemala
      • Hawaii
      • Honduras
      • Mexico
      • United States
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Peru
    • Middle East
      • Oman
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Sudan
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Pacific
      • American Samoa
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
      • Fiji
      • French Polynesia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Kiribati
      • Micronesia
      • Nauru
      • New Zealand
      • Palau
      • Samoa
      • Solomon Islands
      • Tonga
      • Tuvalu
      • Vanuatu
    • Southeast Asia
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Central & North Asia
      • Bhutan
      • Bangladesh
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Macau
      • Maldives
      • Mongolia
      • Nepal
      • North Korea
      • Pakistan
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Tibet
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      Cool & rare passport stamps from around the…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Simple steps to controling pre-flight anxiety

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      How to combat the fear of flying (Aerophobia)

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      Top tips for family travel stress

      January 21, 2021

  • Reviews
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Train, Planes & helicopters
    • Food & Drinks
    • Spa & Wellness
    • Tour & Activities
  • Resources
  • Wine Tourism
    • Australia
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Thailand
    • US
    • South Africa
  • Solo female travel

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Never leave without travel insurance.

3 different ways to take the Trans-siberian train journey

by Mar June 10, 2016
Written by Mar
"Golden Eagle train"

I have a fond passion for train travel and have taken a few of the grand train trips including the 8 day Maharaja’s Express across the Rajasthan, the 24h Blue Train across South Africa, the Glacier Express in Switzerland and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa. Trains are great because they let you see the landscape and take in the local culture much better than planes. It is indeed slow travelling allowing you to make stop overs along the way and visit the main sights

After I decided I wanted to embark on the Trans Siberian the search began for the best alternative.

Mongolian Ger

Mongolian Ger

About the Trans-siberian

The Trans-siberian is a network of rail tracks running from Moscow to Vladivostok in Far East Russia across 7 time zones and over 9,000 kilometers. The end-to-end line was inaugurated in 1916 by Tsar Nicholas II and took almost 30 years to complete. Initially, Lake Baikal was crossed by ferries which were able to transport locomotive and carriages across the 600km lake. But later on they were replaced by the circum-Baikal tracks although the ferries were kept longer as plan B in case of derailment or rocks falling on the tracks.

The Trans-siberian played an important role during the Russia-Japan war and was blamed for Russia’s defeat because of its single track construction which didn’t allow for evacuation of injured at the same time as restocking of the front. It also played an important role during the first two years of WWII when the USSR was neutral and Japan provided rubber to Germany using the tracks.

Nowadays, the train is still used for transporting all sorts of items across Russia and as a main means of travel within Russia. Prices of the regular train journeys are very reasonable as expected for any regular train.

Aside from the main route to Vladivostok there are connections to China, Mongolia and North Korea.

Summer on Lake Baikal

Summer on Lake Baikal

As the train journey became more popular other more comfortable and luxurious versions have sprung including the Tsar’s Train and the Golden Eagle.

When I set out to research the options, I found a wide array of travel agents ready to book me on any of these three options from the bare regular Trans-siberian train ticket to the luxurious Golden Eagle and, to my surprise, prices varied dramatically from operator to operator in the thousands of dollars for the Golden Eagle. So I resorted to contact the operator of the train directly figuring that they would be the ones to offer the most competitive rates and I was lucky to be right.

Golden Eagle train on the Trans-siberian

Golden Eagle train

Whereas tickets on the regular train with a sleeping berth starts at less than $1,000 for the 7 days journey this price can multiply by 20 or even more for the highest end options on the Golden Eagle. There are all sorts of variants and trains making the trip and you can pretty much choose the duration and stops that you want to take. All operators and trains will offer the Trans Manchurian (ending in China) and the Trans Mongolian options (ending in Mongolia) and make the trip all-inclusive and completed with visits at key stops and of the start and end cities (Moscow, Beijing, Ulaan-Baatar, Lake Baikal) with knowledgeable guides and all meals. Read about my trip and review here!

Doing the Trans-siberian independently

You cover the length of the Trans-siberian independently by buying a regular train ticket with stop overs along the way for you to visit the main sights. This is, obviously, the most affordable way to cover the ground and also, the most adventurous one. Your days will be filled with awkward cultural misunderstandings, sign language, as nobody speaks English and serendipitous moments.

It is a very different experience than the other two and one worth considering, but it is also bound to make you miss a lot of the sights as travel from the stations to the points of interest is tough as there is limited infrastructure and communication is a real challenge.

This is a completely different trip and one which will fill pages on the traveler’s book. You can find more details on the world’s most detailed and complete train blog, The man on Seat 61, with all sorts of tips and info on how to organise it yourself. I found the Lonely Planet Trans-siberian guide to be very useful and a good way to get a feel for what to expect. For a more personal account of the experience check out the Nomadic Boys on their Trans-siberian journey. Or Noemi at Probe around the Globe, who also put together a comprehensive Guide to the Trans-Mongolian (the train trip that ends in Ulaan Bataar).

Mid-range Trans-siberian train journey

For those who want to see the main sight along the way and do not have the luxury of time or adventurous heart to embark on a Trans-siberian experience like the locals, there are mid-range companies offering train trips without the 5 figure price tag of the Golden Eagle. They compromise on the luxury of the cabins (shared bathrooms vs. ensuite bathrooms), the exclusivity of the experiences (larger groups, less exclusive experiences) and the quality and quantity of the food and beverage but offer an equally fascinating insight into Siberia and the stops along the way.

Luxury onboard the Golden Eagle Trans-siberian Express

After having had the privilege of enjoying the Maharaja’s Express I knew that what I wanted was to take the Golden Eagle and satisfy all my romantic ideas of sitting by the window, writing about my experience in this blog. And at dinner, share the table with other travelers from various backgrounds, more likely middle aged and well traveled as it always happens in these sort of trips. I would absorb the sights and the sounds, reflect on the visits and the continuous cultural immersion. There were things that surprised me about the journey and the train, and plenty of delightful moments to remember as this is a legendary journey that fits into the most incredible experiences of a lifetime.

This brilliant journey is also a great addition to your road trip across Europe.

  • Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa.
  • Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing.
  • I find all of my flights on KAYAK. Check their Deals section too.
  • Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway.
  • I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide, they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
  • Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb.
  • Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com.
  • Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com
Asiagolden eagleLuxury trainmongoliaOnce in a lifetime journeysrussiatrain traveltrainsTrans-Siberian
0
FacebookTwitterPinterest

You may also like

Your Guide to Tiong Bahru Market

Why the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives...

Which Everest Base Camp is best: Tibet or...

Where to Stay in Seoul and Best Hotels

Where to stay in Macau, best hotels and...

What to do at Six Senses Laamu in...

Unique Thailand – 10 undeniable reasons to set...

Ulagalla Resort Review – Luxury at the heart...

Ubud Hanging Gardens virtual tour

Top-3 UNESCO countries: China, Spain and Italy –...

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Maldives vs Bora Bora, where will YOU have the best vacation?

    June 30, 2020
  • 2

    All the hipster, fun and cool things to do in New York

    June 30, 2020
  • 3

    Original and fabulous gifts for travelers for any occasion

    December 3, 2017
  • 4

    The world’s least visited countries – Unknown and rare destinations

    June 22, 2020
  • 5

    300+ Instagram bio quotes and captions to rock your feed

    December 14, 2019
  • 6

    100+ Great Things to do in Seoul

    August 18, 2020

Recent Posts

  • 50+ Insider South Korea travel tips from a long term expat

    April 7, 2021
  • 10 things you didn’t know about traveling to South Korea

    April 5, 2021
  • Cool & rare passport stamps from around the world

    March 18, 2021
  • How to move to Australia

    March 18, 2021
  • Day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona by a local

    March 18, 2021
  • Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists and travelers in 2020?

    March 18, 2021

follow US on instagram

DIVING INTO THE WEEKEND FEET FIRST - Who else is r DIVING INTO THE WEEKEND FEET FIRST - Who else is ready for an amazing weekend of sun, sand and vitamin C 😎
.
#bensleycollection #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #hotelpool #siemreap #luxuryhotel #BillBensley @shintamani.angkor.bensley
MY FAVORITE VIEW - I love walking around the other MY FAVORITE VIEW - I love walking around the other side of @gardensbythebay and this particular spot. There is a bench there that has the best view. I take my cycle, stop at the hawker on the other side, and take my dim sum and fresh fruit to eat with this view. Sunsets from there are amazing.
.
#gardensbythebaysingapore #MarinaBaySands #marinabay #marinabayeast #SingaporeContentCreator #singaporesunset #singaporeflyer @singaporeflyer #flowerdome
SINGAPORE'S G-SPOT πŸ˜…πŸ˜… Just kidding. Drone sh SINGAPORE'S G-SPOT πŸ˜…πŸ˜… Just kidding. Drone shot taken from Lazarus Island one of 60+ offshore islands in Singapore. I only realised it had this G shape when I took the drone up. Always love to see the view from above.
.
#DroneShot #dronephotography #girlswhodrone #dronepilot #Singaporedrone #dronelife #DjiMavic #viewfromabove #Fromwhereidrone
HIGHER UP - Gardens by the Bay view from above, my HIGHER UP - Gardens by the Bay view from above, my favorite place in Singapore for sure. This was taken from @marinabaysands not from a drone.
#Singaporeview #Singaporedrone #SingaporeFromAbove #GardensbytheBay #MarinaBaySands #gardensbythebaysingapore #SingaporeIG #SingaporeContentCreator
JEWEL - Without travelers Jewel is just another sh JEWEL - Without travelers Jewel is just another shopping mall, but with an incredible design. There's something about the water and the greenery that makes it feel wet, humid and jungly.  There's nothing at the mall I'd like to buy, (I dislike malls anyway) but love checking out the place and explore the wall gardens around the central area.
.
#JewelSingapore #Jewel @jewelchangiairport #ChangiAirport #SingaporeAirport #SingaporeTravel #ExploringSingapore #DomesticTravel
TIME TO RELAX - As the Chinese New Year holiday se TIME TO RELAX - As the Chinese New Year holiday sets in I'm enjoying the silence I had missed for last many months working from home in Singapore.
.
So many of you asked what I was up to since I have barely posted in the last year, I have been in Singapore with borders closed and no ability to travel. After 16y as an expat and 50% of the year on the road it has been difficult to not be able to for so long. I also thought nobody really cares to see Singapore and, to be fair, I don't usually post the typical IG shots here so didn't want to just share the pictures of Singapore you probably have see a million times. But tell me:
.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO POST PICTURES OF MY LOCAL EXPLORATION IN SINGAPORE? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS πŸ€—
.
#luxurytravel #shintamani #billbensley #ShintaManiSiemReap #Bathtubshot #flowerbath #girlsgetaway #luxuryhotel #BensleyCollection
@shintamani_wild knows me wel: Wine + wilderness + @shintamani_wild knows me wel: Wine + wilderness + jungle + a pile of @natgeotravel magazines = Happy Mar
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #Cambodia #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravelgirlswhotravel
A bathtub with a view and with its own waterfall s A bathtub with a view and with its own waterfall soundtrack - Result!
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintaManiWild #BensleyCollection #Cambodia #luxuryvillas  #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
DREAMING OF TRAVEL AGAIN - I have finally booked a DREAMING OF TRAVEL AGAIN - I have finally booked a flight again, not to an exciting place but to one that I'm very excited about: home.
.
And talking about travel dreaming...
This photo was taken at Bill Bensley @shintamani_wild at the @natgeo tent hence the many magazines, the tent was full of them some of the issues were 50+ years old, it was fascinating to read the first issues that covered Dian Fossey or some of really remote tribes. It was hard to peel my eyes off the stunning photos and enjoy the remote and beautiful destination, the piece of wild forest where the camp is.
.
I don't think I'll be doing much travel before the end of the year but I hope to travel to west Africa in November/ December / January, for a real adventure and maybe a safari too.
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #Cambodia #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS - have you ever slept unde A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS - have you ever slept under the stars? Where?
.
I did in Tanzania and in the Maldives at @gili.lankanfushi but I am sometimes worried about the mosquitoes πŸ˜‚ thankfully, @shintamani.angkor.bensley sorted this with nets!
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin

About

  • ABOUT ONCE IN A LIFE TIME JOURNEY
  • ABOUT THE TEAM
  • WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
  • PRESS
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Reach Out

  • CONTACT US
  • PARTNER

Quick Links

  • SITEMAP
  • BOOKS
  • INCOME
  • DIGITAL MARKETING
  • DISCLAIMER

Copyright © 2019 . All Rights Reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program