Please, can you give me some advice on travelling?

Question

I am thinking of travelling with the Trans-Siberian railway.
Travelling in December, starting in Vladivostok and finishing in Moscow. Can you give me some advice on the trip? What is useful to bring etc.
I am travelling alone and am a bit worried about Moscow as well. If you have made this journey or been to Moscow recently, please give me some advice on safety etc.

Well have to admit that I had a rather romantic view about Russia (Tolstoy etc.), but that was soon shattered by my local travel agent who adviced me not to travel in Russia alone. Well, I can't believe it's that bad? Besides I've already bought the tickets...

Answer 1

It's not incredibly unsafe, but you do want to take extra precautions while traveling alone in Russia.

If you get a privat car (coupe) on the train, be sure to lock the door at night and rig some sort of extra lock or alarm on the door to keep people out or warn you of someone trying to break in. I'm not certain that people break in often, but I've heard lots of stories. Better safe than sorry. Otherwise take the cheap train where there are no doors (platzcartny). Everyone looks out for each other there.

Moscow is a really neat city. I lived there for a year. Stay closer to central Moscow. It's safer, and that's where many of the sites are anyhow. There are lots of sites a bit farther out also. Try to visit them during the day. Keep in mind that the days are quite short in northern Russia in the winter. Just stay alert and try to dress to fit in.

Have fun!

Answer 2

Recently, I spent two weeks alone in St. Petersburg, without being able to speak much Russian. Some advice:

Do not expect much English to be spoken. Brush up on your Russian phrases and be prepared to muddle you way through conversations with broken Russian, pointing and the polite smile. Bring a phrase book and try to learn their alphabet, it will help you a lot when trying to read signs.

2. Most larger cities will have government run tourist boards which can greatly assist you in English. If you are looking for small or personal tours, I would definitely go this route, especially if you do not plan on spending much time in any one place. (I went the aimlessly wandering route, which I thoroughly enjoyed doing, but I had enough time to do so. If pressed, take advantage of the tourism board.)

3. I found SP to be safe. If a woman, I probably would have had some apprehension. Even still, I found SP much safer than many cities here in the states. Not once did I feel a need to look over my shoulder. As for pickpockets, it will be your greatest threat. But, I found it not much an issues--far, far less of one than in many other parts of Europe. (This is where Russia benefits from the somewhat restrictive travel of foreigners.) Use common sense in this respect. Try not to look too much of a tourist.

3. Be certain to have all your proper papers. Where you will be staying, when, for how long, the contact information of those places, and registration papers if necessary. I saw several tourist pulled aside by police, checking to see if the tourists had proper documentation.

4. If you plan on dragging along a lot of electronic devices, be sure to have the proper plug conversions. A travel store can help you here.

5. Enjoy. You will be fine.

Answer 3

The best thing you can do is protect your things from pickpockets and thieves - notorious on European trains.
Search and find a purse or wallet thing that straps to you under your arm or bra under your clothes, and put all of your paper money and your passport in it religiously. Sleep with it on you at night, as thieves go through the train at night and rifle through people's stuff as they sleep. Keep only a small amount of money in a small purse that goes over your head over your shoulder and hang on to it at all times in a crowd. Don't put all of your money in one credit card - get traveler's checks in different denominations so if they get stolen you can recover your money.
Try to travel as light as you can and try to blend in as best as you can. Loud, expensive clothes brand you as American Fresh off the plane. Wear muted clothes, blacks, browns, grays, and leave all your jewelry at home. If you must, bring your cheapest jewelry you won't mind getting lost or stolen, or better yet, leave it at home and plan to buy a few small pieces there.
Bring a good pair of walking shoes, as taxis can cut into your budget pretty quick. Bring a good raincoat and a hat. Buy "Wellies" or waterproof shoes there. Bring a good sweater, and a good walking skirt. Most churches do not let women wearing pants inside their cathedrals.
Do not bring your expensive camera. If you have an old cheapie, bring that one instead. That way if you lose it or it gets stolen, you are not losing your best one.
If you are travelling alone, you might want to consider meeting up with some fellow travelers or students on holiday. There is still safety in groups.
Don't leave anything of value in your hotel, carry it wih you as you sight-see. If you've left it all at home, you have nothing to worry about.
Have fun!
P.S. Hang on to your drink, let no one touch it, never put it down. Make sure you watch the bartender pour it and hold it in your hand. If you put it down to do dancing, don't pick it up again. Better yet, avoid getting drunk and stay alert.