Ride the Trans-Siberian railway

“I did 90% of the route in second class. I always booked a bottom bunk so I could put my bag in the compartment below my bed when I was sleeping. At longer stops, I took my purse off the train with me when I stretched my legs, and I didn’t have any problems with theft of what I left onboard. It’s not super-social but it was more my vibe: I usually shared my cabin with families or professionals (often railway execs). I only used third class once, for a very short (by which I mean maybe six hours?) leg during the day. I didn’t like it very much - as a solo female I felt very “watched” and it was so loud that I couldn’t imagine ever getting any sleep if it had been an overnight trip.”

“I just went solo from Ulaanbaatar to St Petersburg in January and February. I had a blast and recommend stopping at cities along the way because it's tough to spend a whole week on the train and the cities fun and cool. I stopped in Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg. Definitely see Irkutsk! Visit Lake Baikal! Other recommendations for the train: there's only hot water on the train, so bring plenty of your own food if you don't want to be hungry. If you go to the highest class, there's a food service. I was never worried about any of my stuff being stolen, but I only did 2nd class, so it's 4 to a cabin. I did spend one night in 1st which was quite nice. 2nd class mostly seemed to be business travelers and the occasional family group.”

“I travelled the trans Siberian from Vladivostok to st Petersburg in 2019, so I can’t say much for the China and Mongolian parts of your trip. I went in the fall and it was beautiful and there were no other foreigners (for better or worse) Make sure you have books, playing cards, an iPod, or maybe even a small laptop to keep you entertained. I had a 94 hour train ride from Irkutsk to Volgograd and it would’ve been a bit dull without those things.”