Learn from my experiences! The TransSiberian train journey is an experience of a lifetime. As a result, many of those who get to experience it, may only do it once. Here are a few items to toss into your bag to make your experience much more pleasant.
1. Backup Battery Power
While most of the newer trains will have electrical outlets in the cabins, they can’t be counted on across the country. If you’re like me, and have switched over to ebook readers for travel, having a backup battery is key to ensuring your device(s) stay powered up.
If you’ve sprung for a data plan/country SIM card, 3G data is available in most small towns along the route and occasionally slower speeds along the tracks appear. However, needless to say, the locals don’t stay glued to their phones, and neither should you! Interact! Make friends! Make a fool of yourself with your limited Russian.
2. Just-add-water Foods
On every train car, there is a large metal container of boiling hot, drinkable water, available for free. This is most useful for the endless cups of tea you’ll inevitably drink, but is also used frequently for those just-add-water foods. Soups, oatmeal, instant noodles, etc, are all eaten by locals on the train. While there are usually dining cars on the train and most trains it is possible to purchase a meal with your ticket, they can have strange hours; especially closer to Vladivostok, when the trains time is 7 hours earlier than local time (all trains run on Moscow time). The restaurant cars also can have very limited selection, so best to bring some backups in case.
3. Shareable Food
You’ll soon learn that the TransSiberian is all about the food. Whether it’s a delicious meal served on China dishes in your cabin while you watch the scenery go by, or tossing back rumko vodku with your neighbors. Soon, if you allow yourself to be swept up in the atmosphere, your car-mates will essentially be cabin-friends.
And most importantly, everyone will be sharing whatever they have. Grandmas cookies, fresh loose-leaf tea, fruit and vegetables from their gardens, or whatever treasures they picked up at the last stop. Mingle with the locals and bring an item to share; the easiest way to pass the time, gain invaluable local insights and try something new.
The provitdsana has a microwave in her cabin, and microwave popcorn is always a popular dish that doesn’t take up a lot of space or weight in your luggage.
Buy well at the station stops and you’ll have an easy way into the hearts of locals (hint: skip the souvenirs, and go for the fresh berries or chocolate).
4. Small change and bills
It may be tempting to get rid of small bills and change in town, to avoid carrying it, and because shops in town are always asking for smaller bills. But station stop locals selling their items will rarely have change and their prices are very reasonable (read: you need to bring small bills). Most station stop items are under 100 roubles (2$ US).
5. Bottled Water
It goes without saying: you absolutely can NOT drink the tap water on the train. While the boiling water is available, actual bottle water is only sold in limited quantities and in small, glass bottles for upwards of 5USD per .33l bottle. Do yourself a favour and pick up a large bottle or two at the train station before boarding to ensure you stay hydrated.
6. Sleep Mat (optional)
Depending on your train choice, level of expected comfort, and cabin choice, this is very optional. If you’ve chosen to ride the Rossiya train in first class the entire route, this is very unnecessary. Even if you are traveling in mostly first class local trains, this is largely unnecessary. However, if your train choices and budget desires put you in second or third (kupe class), this might be a very inexpensive way to increase your comfort. Beds in 2-class cabins and kupe-class dormitories are very hard and only a thin mattress pad is provided in 2nd class. If you’re the type of person who can sleep anywhere and on anything, you’ll be fine. Otherwise, do yourselves a favour and bring a lightweight sleeping mat.
7. An Appetite for Adventure
Ok. Yes this is corny; and if you are looking into a trip on the train journey, of course you have a bit of an adventurous spirit. But it’s very needed.
Though the trains run on time, are mostly clean and well-kept, and the people friendly, there will always be exceptions, and there will always be surprised. English is rare at best on the trains. Be prepared to mime, nod your head and smile a lot, and to be occasionally given things you may mot have asked for. Understand that a thank-you (spasiba) and an open smile will get you far, and that undoubtedly, the trip will be one that you remember for years to come.
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