Trans-Siberian Journey: Cost and How to Plan
Why not take a ride on the longest railway in the world? It's not an easy task – you'll need to cover over 9,000 km of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
And even if a trip to Vladivostok is too much for you, you can simply ride a certain segment of the railway, admiring the forests and fields passing by outside the window. Well, we'll tell you all about the Trans-Siberian Railway in detail!
How the Trans-Siberian Railway is structured
The concept of the Trans-Siberian Railway was extremely simple for the 19th century: it was built to connect the European part of Russia with the Asian part. It's not hard to guess that the construction of the road took many years – it was built between 1891 and 1916. But that was then. What about now?
Today, you can plan your trip independently or go on a pre-arranged tour with comfortable seating. Even after centuries, the railway has not lost one thing – the beauty of nature that passengers see outside the window. Here are some wow-facts about the modern Trans-Siberian Railway:
- the length of the railway is 9288 km;
- to travel the entire route, you need to allow about seven days for the trip;
- the route passes through 87 cities;
- the railway crosses the Volga, Irtysh, Ob, Yenisei, Amur rivers and even passes by Lake Baikal.
More about the Trans-Siberian Railway
Once upon a time, the territories of the Far East and Siberia were barely developed. But on February 5, 1891, everything changed, and Emperor Alexander III issued a decree on the construction of the Great Siberian Way. The task proved difficult – builders had to drain swamps, make their way through the taiga, and even overcome railway erosion near Lake Baikal. But all the workers' efforts were fully justified – the Trans-Siberian Railway remains a strategically important road to this day, not only uniting Russian cities but also providing an opportunity to organize logistics between neighboring countries.
When to book
We recommend booking train tickets as soon as the thought “Shouldn't I take a ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway?” crosses your mind. It will be easier for you to get a refund for the trip if you suddenly change your mind, rather than trying to plan a trip with rarely available tickets later. For the longest routes, such as to Vladivostok, Novosibirsk or Ulan-Ude, tickets sell out like hotcakes right from the start of sales. Therefore, it's better to plan your trip well in advance.
Where to book
There are two most convenient options – buy on our website or on the RZD website. For long-distance travel, it's very important to understand how to connect all segments of the journey and what amenities are available on the train. The RZD website contains a lot of information about each carriage and ticket. For example, whether your carriage has a shower, internet access, or if lunch is included in the price. Kupi.com offers smart routes that connect tickets from point to point to help you understand how long the trip will take. This is convenient for those who don't want to calculate transfer times themselves to ensure they catch the next segment.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices vary (but you know that without us). The cost of the trip will depend on your preferences. If you're comfortable with a third-class sleeper and plan to minimize stops and city walks, the amount will be significantly less than if you want to see everything in the cities along the way. With the latter, you can find a way to save – try planning your trip on our website, where the system optimizes your route with transfers. This allows you to choose cheap tickets and wait a day between transfers on the shore of Lake Baikal, for example.
Here are some ticket prices, current for June 2025:
- Moscow — Kirov — from 3,000 rubles;
- Tyumen — Omsk — from 3,000 rubles;
- Irkutsk — Birobidzhan — from 10,000 rubles;
- Chita — Vladivostok — from 9,000 rubles.
Comfort on the journey
The most important advice is to book a branded train. Its carriages offer increased comfort. They are indeed more expensive, but considering how much time you spend on the road, this is a very important factor. Here you can count on an outlet to charge your phone and power bank, a delicious lunch, and a comfortable sleeping place. Some branded train tickets even include the possibility to take a shower.
You can save on food: prepare your own meals at home for the first day, and buy the rest on the train, at stops, or in cities where you'll be staying overnight. The main hygiene tip is to stock up on wet wipes and don't forget to bring your usual personal care products. Washing your face and brushing your teeth is always an accessible luxury.
Route
- Yaroslavl (282 km). If you decide to stop for a day in Yaroslavl, be sure to visit the local museum-reserve. It houses ancient icons, textiles, utensils, and works of art from Ancient Rus.
- Kirov (956 km). Kirov itself is a very cozy city, but the ice cream museum with tasting deserves special attention. It's perfect for enjoying life after a long journey.
- Perm (1434 km). Walking along the Kama River embankment in Perm is a great way to stretch your legs and simply enjoy Russian nature at the junction of Europe and Asia.
- Ekaterinburg (1814 km). Stopping in Ekaterinburg for a day and choosing a more priority attraction is quite difficult. Must-visit locations here are: the Church on the Blood, the Yeltsin Center, and the Vysotsky skyscraper observation deck.
- Tyumen (2139 km). In Tyumen, you can also relax – unwind from the train at thermal springs, enjoy delicious food in restaurants, and make a wish on the Lovers' Bridge.
- Omsk (2711 km). A paradise for cultural visitors. In Omsk, you must visit the Vrubel Museum of Fine Arts, stroll through Theater Square, and the Local Lore Museum;
- Novosibirsk (3336 km). From local insights, several cool places were highlighted: the "SibirSibir" restaurant, the "Krasny Fakel" theater, and Zaeltsovsky Park.
- Krasnoyarsk (4098 km). Another great city for walking. For example, explore the "Krasnoyarsk Stolby" National Park, Tatyshev Island Park, or the Left Bank Embankment;
- Irkutsk (5185 km). Voila, you're at Lake Baikal. Here, it's also important to set aside a few days to take photos on the lake shore and explore the local nature.
- Ulan-Ude (5641 km). A new reason to immerse yourself in unfamiliar Buryat culture – visit the Ethnographic Museum of Transbaikal Peoples, the Ulan-Ude History Museum, or the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
- Khabarovsk (5823 km). Must-visit places in Khabarovsk include Amur and Ussuri Boulevards, Bolshekhekhtsirsky Nature Reserve, and the "Sopka" restaurant with the best seafood.
- Chita (6198 km). Let's delve a bit into Buddhism and visit the Chita Datsan, as the indigenous people of Transbaikalia usually practice Buddhism. For a walk among the trees, be sure to visit the Transbaikal Botanical Garden.
- Birobidzhan (8351 km). In the Jewish Autonomous Region, there's also plenty to explore – walk through the Bastak Nature Reserve, visit the healing springs of Kuldur, and take a photo in front of the Menorah fountain.
- Vladivostok (9289 km). The finish line – you are in Vladivostok. Seafood and red caviar are a must-try here, and Tokarevsky Lighthouse, Russky Bridge, and the "Eagle's Nest" observation deck are must-visits.
Lifehacks and useful tips
- be sure to buy a power bank before your trip. It will save you in train classes without outlets;
- the magic of the train is this: you constantly want to eat. So, take a hearty snack like nuts or protein bars that provide satiety for a longer time;
- don't forget to put earplugs or noise-canceling headphones in your backpack, because insomnia on a long journey will immediately spoil the impression of the trip;
- if you are planning it yourself, and not with a travel agent, allow more time for rest between points that are far apart. Even though you're lying down on the train and not particularly busy, the journey is very tiring. And a good mattress with a hot shower will quickly become your dream;
- adjust your schedule so that it's convenient to check into hotels. They usually start check-in from 2:00 PM local time.
- stock up on content in advance. This advice is not just for zoomers, but for everyone who plans a long train journey. You'll have plenty of time to watch that series you've been meaning to, or read that book you've been putting off.
Tours along the route
Of course, you can simply buy a tour and go all-inclusive. For example, travel the Trans-Siberian Railway on the "Golden Eagle" train. However, be prepared to pay from 1,330,000 rubles per person for such a trip. But you'll have a comfortable compartment, dishes from celebrity chefs, and 15 days of pure interaction. A two-week trip on the "Imperial Russia" is cheaper – from 630,000 rubles. Yes, it's more budget-friendly, while still offering the same comfortable service.
RZD offers the "Baikal Fairy Tale" tour. The trip will cost 112,650 rubles per person. Be prepared that you won't worry much about the service, but in terms of time, it might be too short for you – the entire tour lasts only seven days.
We wish you a good sleep on the train and hope you don't miss the most beautiful views from the window!
