This train journey is long, it’s unique and iconic! The Trans-Siberian Railway will take you from the glorious Russian capital of Moscow to Vladivostok – the major port on the Russian Pacific Ocean coast. And more than this: Our journey through The True Russia is an experience starting in Saint Petersburg – the Imperial capital, the Venice of the North boasting an abundance of cultural experiences.
The Trans-Siberian Railway is not a train – it is not continuing to Mongolia or China – it is the world’s longest railway within one country – Russia – from one end to another. The other railway branches are known as The Trans Mongolian Railway and the Trans Manchurian Railway. Common for the 3 lines is that different kind of trains are operating and the train carriages present different services to the voyagers.
Travelling along this classical Trans-Siberian route you will have the chance to see a more complete image of this vast and multi-faced country. You will meet people who every day enjoy this railway system preferring slow-paced travelling through the enormous country covering 2 continents. To get in touch with the heart of Russia and its people, culture and habits we have planned stopovers where you visit not only the emblematic cities of Russia - St. Petersburg and Moscow, but also explore the towns of Ekaterinburg, Irkutsk and Vladivostok. Of course, the biggest gem of endless taiga is the “Pearl of Siberia” – lake Baikal.
On this journey the experiences will be in harmony with your body and soul!
Highlights:
♦ St. Petersburg and Moscow - the largest cities in Russia
♦ Olkhon Island - extremely scenic place at Baikal and a center of shamanism
♦ Yekaterinburg - situated on the border between Europe and Asia
♦ Vladivostok - the door of Russia to the Pacific Ocean
Our best advice: If you plan to read Tolstoy during the 7 days of train ride, bring an e-reader. You will not be the first one returning without finalizing one of the classics – experiences and impressions will fill the time better than you think, believe us – we have been there for more than 30 years!
Group tour starting day 1 in Skt. Petersburg on 13th of August - last day 30th of August 2024
- if you are interested in a trip on your own just choose a Tuesday arrival in spring, during the summer or early autumn to Sankt Petersburg (smaller fees apply for transfers etc.)
Itinerary:
Day 1. St. Petersburg
Arrival to St. Petersburg. Transport to the hotel (at set time) and accommodation.
Day 2. St. Petersburg
In the morning tour to the beautiful palace of Peterhof and its gardens (closed on Mondays). Afternoon - free time to explore the city on your own. Transport to the station. Night train to Moscow, overnight in the train.
Day 3. Moscow
Arrival to Moscow in the morning, transport to the hotel. You can leave your luggage at the hotel while you go exploring the Russian capital.
Day 4. Moscow - departure by train
Free time in the morning. About noon transfer to the station and departure by train to Yekaterinburg.
Day 5. Yekaterinburg
Arrival to Yekaterinburg in the afternoon. Accommodation at a hotel.
Day 6. Yekaterinburg
Excursion to Romanov Monastery, built on the place, where the last Russian tsar and his family were murdered, and to Eurasia obelisk, marking the border between Europe and Asia. Back to Yekaterinburg, where you have free time to explore the city before your departure by train to Irkutsk in the evening.
Day 7 & 8. On the train
We pass by some large Siberian cities such as Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. The landscape in this part of the railway switches between coniferous and birch forests and small villages, where development is still far behind the big cities.
Day 9. Irkutsk
Arrival to Irkutsk in the morning, transport to the hotel. Standard check in at 14:00. The rest of the day is free. You can explore Irkutsk on your own or book a city tour.
Day 10. Irkutsk - Olkhon
In the morning start of your journey by bus and ferry to the island of Olkhon - the largest in the Baikal lake. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 11 & 12. Olkhon
Explore this beautiful Island on your own or you can take some excursions on spot. You can visit Khoboy cape, the Shaman Rock, go on a hiking tour outside Khuzhir, explore the near cave etc. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 13. Olkhon - Irkutsk
You head back to Irkutsk. Accommodation at the hotel and overnight.
Day 14. Irkutsk, departure
Early in the morning departure by train to Vladivostok.
Day 15 & 16. On the train.
Day 17. Vladivostok
Arrival to Vladivostok in the afternoon. You have travelled 9909 kms from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.
Day 18. Vladivostok
After breakfast, our services end. You can explore Vladivostok on your own or book some of our optional tours such as Vladivostok city tour (3 hours), Vladivostok fortress and Submarine S-56 (4 hrs), etc. Or you can continue your journey by ferry to Dong-Hae or Sokcho in South Korea.
Read here about traveling to Russia in 2024
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Practical information: ► Hotel examples: hotel Dostoevsky 3* (or similar) in St. Petersburg; hotel People Loft Tverskaya 2** (or similar) in Moscow; hotel Marins Park 3* in Yekaterinburg; hotel Angara 3* (or similar) in Irkutsk; hotel City View hotel 3*/ Azimut hotel 4* (or similar) in Vladivostok ► From Vladivostok you can continue your trip by ferry to Dong Hae or Sokcho in South Korea. To Sakaiminato in Japan there is no schedule for 2024 as per 01FEB. The ferry sails year round to Sokcho on Wednesdays and to Dong-Hae on Thursday. ► Please, note that on certain dates and tours you might travel in a group with other tourists, if they have booked a trip on the same dates. We cannot say if this is the case in advance. ► Prices for hotel accommodation are subject to change in periods of exhibitions or other special events. We reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard. ► This tour is more than 16 days and an ordinary tourist visa is required.
Price Includes:
Train tickets 2nd class (4-berth): St. Petersburg-Moscow-Yekaterinburg-Irkutsk-Vladivostok
Transfers airport-hotels-stations as per itinerary
Accommodation in shared double/twin room with breakfast in 3* hotels in the cities
Excursion to Peterhof with transport+entrance and local guide
Excursion in Yekaterinburg with transport+entrance and local guide
Tour to Olkhon incl. public transport and 3 nights at local guesthouse - dbl. room with shared facilities and breakfast
Russian visa invitation
Tour leader from Penguin Travel (min. 10 persons)
Prices are based on rates of exchange 01FEB24 - min. 2 persons travelling together
Not Included:
Flight tickets to Skt.Petersburg and from Vladivostok
Visa to Russia
Insurance (mandatory-see information above)
Meals not mentioned
Local registration fees to be paid on spot
Drinking and tipping
Optional excursions
Additional transfers
Extra days before/after the tour
Porterservice
Personal expenses
Additional Services:
Single supplement in hotels only: 280 EUR
2-berth compartment (1 cl. or 4-berth compartment for 2 persons): 775 EUR per person
Transfer Skt.Petersburg individual arrival: Request
Transfer hotel in Vladivostok - airport: 50 EUR (1-2 persons)
Extra night in Skt.Petersburg: double/twin room with breakfast 95 EUR - single 80 EUR
Extra night in Vladivostok: double/twin room with breakfast 110 EUR - single 100 EUR
Ferry from Vladivostok to DongHae or Sokcho in South Korea 2nd class cabin (4 pax/ tatami or 8 pax /bed) – 600 EUR per person (one way)
Individual travellers: Contact us for details
Vacation Extensions:
Transsiberian Railway - Stopovers in Russia
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