Ulan-Ude, Russia

[Anechka]

Who said anything about luxury ???!!!  I did not dream to go on Trans-Siberian railway for a luxury trip!!

I guess you won't understand until you are stuck in the middle of nowhere in Siberia in a filthy and hot compartment, with no money... You'd be lucky if they leave you your passport...

[CDW]

I guess you won't understand until you are stuck in the middle of nowhere in Siberia in a filthy and hot compartment, with no money... You'd be lucky if they leave you your passport...

Well, are you Paris Hilton????

[Anechka]

How much does it cost for a Russian people to be on 3rd class train?

The return air fare from Moscow to Vladivostok is around £150  (about $225)

No idea, it was around 7 years ago and at that time trains were considerably cheaper...

[Anechka]

Well, are you Paris Hilton????

No, but I was robbed a few times, not a pleasant experience, especially after dealing with the police. The officer asked me not to file any robbery so their precious statistics is not ruined...

[CDW]

No, but I was robbed a few times, not a pleasant experience, especially after dealing with the police. The officer asked me not to file any robbery so their precious statistics is not ruined...

Pigs might fly!!

[CDW]

For these poor Russian people .......

One way, per person, in roubles:
Platskartny
3rd class bunks

8,427 (£169)


It is about the same price as RETURN air fares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[I/O]

He is Russian and perfectly happy 

Lol, all Russian women say that. Anyway, enough nonsense - CDW, the point the pretty lady and I are trying to make is that it isn't simple and you need to be reasonably well prepared. That said, aspects of train travel in Russia are very pleasant if you ignore certain things like the locked toilets as you go through the cities etc 

I guess you won't understand until you are stuck in the middle of nowhere in Siberia in a filthy and hot compartment, with no money... You'd be lucky if they leave you your passport...

You are, I contend, exagerating just slightly although what you outline can happen and I don't doubt your personal experience (s). I've travelled there quite a bit and alone, including not so long ago - I have very little Russian language and have never felt at risk but................the romantic notions are long gone for me, it is a way to get from A2B, nothing more and it isn't my preferred one these days.
 
CDW: Stop displaying your ignorance, you have no clue.
 

[CDW]

You are being so negative - like I wrote many times, I do not care about luxury when I am on Trans-Siberian railway.  It is the experience of lifetime that counts - and that's including any problems occur in the train.

I don't expect 5 stars hotel !!!

[I/O]

You are being so negative

Not at all, your pigs might fly comment is basically accusing the lady of lying and was quite uncalled for. She is offering experienced advice from a resident or past resident - only a fool would ignore that when most of the advice you get around forums is speculation mixed with a small amount of experience, consider the difference please.

[Chicagoguy]

I usually gave the train lady attendent a $ 2.00 bill soon after we started and hoped she would watch out for me. That and I was almost always with my Omsk friend and he was a police captain [ out of uniform ].
Now I fly.

[ML]

I usually gave the train lady attendant a $ 2.00 bill . . .

Not impossible, but quite unusual.

[mendeleyev]

One way, per person, in roubles:
Platskartny
3rd class bunks

8,427 (£169)

That is a hefty sum for locals and for some passengers the fares are about to go higher. The Russian government subsidizes rail fares and this year those subsidizes will be rolled back for certain classes. The government will continue to regulate and artificially hold down rates for 3rd class/platzkartnzy rolling stock, however there will be a gradual but significant uptick on tickets in 2nd and 1 class, and on express trains.

In spite of ease and increasing safety of air travel Russians love their trains and even though air fares leveled this year, train ridership was up 6.6% in 2012 over the previous year and freight volume was up 2.4%.

Since 2010 the national rail company, Russian Railways, has begun several new projects that allow non-RF government investment in certain new projects thus creating partial privatization of some of the system. Russian Railways is building new projects deep into India for instance and those lines will be a combination of Russian Federation ownership, Indian ownership and private investors. Ukraine and China have also contracted with RR for modernization of segments of their aging rail lines.

My point is this: there have always been adventurous souls who have loved the thrill of riding the world's longest railroad and the vast majority have done so successfully. After setting aside the aroma of "under showered" bodies in summer and inconvenience of sub-par toilets year around, this could be a good time and perhaps even one of the last times to experience what thousands of foreign tourists have experienced before you. Russia is modernizing her rail system at a rapid pace and once completed the experience just won't have the same romance and sense of adventure as before.

Personally I love the rails. I cannot however tell you what to do, but neither would I fear for your safety or convenience at this moment of modern history and by saying that I do not disrespect the advice and views of other experienced residents and travelers. We must each be well informed so listen carefully to their advice. It is not for everyone but in the end if you decide to go I believe you will have embarked on one of the incredible journeys in recent history and you will experience something that soon will become more mundane and ordinary as modernization sweeps chugs forward.

[Belvis]

No, but I was robbed a few times, not a pleasant experience, especially after dealing with the police. The officer asked me not to file any robbery so their precious statistics is not ruined...

Sounds like you're a magnet for troubles. Nor me neither people I know personally experienced being robbed at trains. I've taken over years 3 trips Irkutsk-Moscow (3 days long in 1st class) and more than a hundred shorter ones (~30 hrs). Robbers are not the problem, broken toilets and snored neighbors could be.

[ECOCKS]

Who said anything about luxury ???!!!  I did not dream to go on Trans-Siberian railway for a luxury trip!!

Really sounds fun although I'd opt for the second-class slot. Maybe someone like Eduard or Mendy could put together a Trans-Siberian excursion for early Spring or mid-late Fall this coming year. II would be interested in an option for a trip like that.


CDW, I appreciate your sense of adventure but thinking of 3rd-class is a bit too close to the Lawrence of Arabia thing for my tastes.


What was the 1st class, winter rate? Also, I would want to know the rules regarding what was mentioned about getting on-off the train for a day or two and doing some looky-loos.


Russia, except for St. Pete, holds little interest for me but this would be exciting.

[noelscot]

At the time of writing, you are already "red" - so congratulations 

455km from Ulan-Ude to Irkutsk

Travelling by Trans-Siberian railway from Moscow to Vladivostok is one of my dreams    and there is stop at Irkutsk on the way

I would seriously consider Ulan-Ude. It is virtually "unfished" if you want to use such terminology. What I learned is you have to be a gambler with big balls to go to the really far-flung areas, but these are where you can find some really sincere women. You definitely won't "cruise" in Ulan-Ude without Russian speakers support.

[noelscot]

Noelscott, greetings.

You're 3500 miles away from Moscow and in a very fascinating part of the world!

I'm glad that you mentioned Lake Baikal because many don't associate Ulan-Ude (Улан-Удэ) with the world's largest lake. For most Western tourists, Irkutsk is the more recognizable city along Baikal but an 8 hour train ride further to reach Ulan-Ude on the eastern side of Baikal.



 
 
 
 
If travelers on the Trans Siberian have some time to spare I recommend a couple of days in Irkutsk to see the local sights, one day being a trip on the Circum-Baikal railway which is a train that makes a daily run along the lower reaches of that area of the lake. It provides access to the Irkutsk for the locals and gives tourists some of the most dramatic views along the lake. The other day spent in Irkutsk could be used to see the sights and to visit the village of Listvyanka which is a must-see for foreign visitors.

Way To Russia has some helpful info also for travelers to Ulan-Ude: http://www.waytorussia.net/Siberia/UlanUde/Practicalities.html

Ulan-Ude is very interesting culturally. It is part of Asian Russia (51% of Asia lies within Russia's borders), the capital of the Buryatia Republic, a centre of practicing Buddhism in Russia and home to the largest Tibetan school for monks outside Mongolia. Buryats are traced to the Mongols and in addition to Russian speak Buryat, a Mongol language. Buryatia is also a centre for oriental medicine.

At Ulan-Ude one can connect to the Trans-Mongolian railway to several China via Mongolia. It is also possible to enter China much further east before Vladivostok on the Trans Manchurian railway.

Ivolgonski Datsan was a nice excursion that we took with familiars. The temple is beautiful and mysterious.

[Faux Pas]

I've never ridden the Russian Railway system but I do have a Moscow-Tomsk trip on my bucket list. My only problem to date has been time which is something I usually have very little of when I travel to Russia. My wife thinks it's a crazy notion too

[pokerintherear]

Noelscot

The area you are talking of is in the east of Russia. I have question about travel from US. The area of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk is in the extreme east. My question is of direction of flight and options.

From US to Moscow to Far East is about 20-24 hour flight depending on area. From US to Japan or China is about 12 hour flight going West. What flight route do you use? Do you know of good routes with connections in Japan or China?

[vaiano777]

Thanks for the advice. I don't think I could handle the winters either. Would the cost be any different, more or less expensive than going to Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Kiev?

[I/O]

Do you know of good routes with connections in Japan or China?

S7 fly out of Beijing to various Eastern Russian cities.

[Anotherkiwi]

S7 fly out of Beijing to various Eastern Russian cities.

That's who I would recommend - several flights with them on my trips to Russia.  Awesome, easy-to-navigate website (in much better English than any other Russian airline  ).  Clean, new planes and cabin crew who speak English.
 
If you fly direct to Seoul, Korean Air also connect to Vladivostok.

[noelscot]

Noelscot

The area you are talking of is in the east of Russia. I have question about travel from US. The area of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk is in the extreme east. My question is of direction of flight and options.

From US to Moscow to Far East is about 20-24 hour flight depending on area. From US to Japan or China is about 12 hour flight going West. What flight route do you use? Do you know of good routes with connections in Japan or China?

What is your point of departure? PM me and I will help you book your trip if you are serious about visiting Ulan-Ude.

[noelscot]

Noelscot

The area you are talking of is in the east of Russia. I have question about travel from US. The area of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk is in the extreme east. My question is of direction of flight and options.

From US to Moscow to Far East is about 20-24 hour flight depending on area. From US to Japan or China is about 12 hour flight going West. What flight route do you use? Do you know of good routes with connections in Japan or China?

The other board members are correct. S7 airlines will fly you from DME to UUD in a 6 hour trip. My flight from Birmingham, Alabama, was 28 hours with layovers. Total cost of the ticket 1700 approximately. I would advise one day of rest in Moskva before going to UUD.

[noelscot]

Thanks for the advice. I don't think I could handle the winters either. Would the cost be any different, more or less expensive than going to Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Kiev?

Yes, it is much more affordable to visit Ulan-Ude (long-term) than Moskva, Peter, or Kyiv. The cost of living is higher in those cities, and the big city girls generally do not want to leave. The plane ticket is higher to visit Ulan-Ude, but one can live there for a long time on very little money. Some people prefer Ukraine because there is no visa requirement. I went with Jack when I went to Ukraine, and I'd recommend him to anyone going there. And ME for Ulan-Ude, because there's no-one on here with any contacts there as far as I can tell. Believe me, I asked before I went. 


This is a general comparison of costs. I used Kyiv vs. Ulan-Ude, because I've travelled to both.


Kyiv apartment


$50-85 per 24/hour


Ulan-Ude apartment


$30-60 per 24/hour


Plane ticket to Kyiv (KBR) from JFK


$800 with KLM/Delta


Plane ticket to Ulan-Ude (UUD) from JFK


$1270


Food and entertainment are generally cheaper. A good meal for two is about $33. Movie tickets for two $16. Trip to the supermarket for about two days' worth of food $35. Taxi to Arbat street from Kluchevskaya Street about $7. About $25 for transfer from Lake Baikal Airport to the city center.






To go to UUD, you need to be a savvy traveler. Use your sky miles. Think creatively. Read this website for strategies to save money on plane tickets: http://www.farecompare.com/travel-advice/tips-from-air-travel-insiders/


Also, look at the advantages regarding competition. I never saw one American or Westerner the whole time I was in Ulan-Ude. When our flat was flooded by a steam heat valve that exploded in the neighbor's flat above, and we stayed with familiars, Pasha told, "I will tell my colleagues to-morrow that I took coffee with an American, and no-one will believe me!"


So UUD is a little bit further and intimidating to some unseasoned travelers, but I have honest people on the ground who can take care of your apartment, transfer, interpreting, excursions, train tickets, migration cards, etc.

[Alt-Str]

noelscot:
If by then no this and that happens, when the temperature gets warmer,
I'd like to take a trip to Ulan Ude. Let's see if I could get the chance
to be one of your successful case. 

Far east cities souch as Ulan Ude, Chita, Irkutsk, Habarovsk,Vladivostok,
...etc., indeed are dynamite area with lots potentials.
One main factor is their close distance to China border cities such as
ManZhouLi(Manchuria), SuiFenHe, HeiHe ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzhouli
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suifenhe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heihe
there are lots import, export business happen in these area.
In 1980s, these are area made truck loads over night millionaire by being
the border trade pioneer.
Nowadyas, for cities such as ManZhouLi(Manchuria), SuiFenHe, HeiHe,
still could be served as sort of altervative of doing business "in" Russia.
Risk of doing business in Russia is high, but much lower in China border side.