Trans-Siberian

[benlehman]

My mom just sent me the Lonely Planet's trans-Siberian guide, as part of an extended birthday present.

First thought: Man, this is going to be more expensive than I thought. Russia is *way* pricier than China.

Second thought: Damn. Cool stuff.

Third thought: 30 day automatic stay in Mongolia for US citizens? hmmm....

So I'm pretty jazzed, yeah.

How are you?

Comments

[benlehman.livejournal.com]

Mostly, it was the hotels. I travelled mostly in western / central China, where you could get a dorm room in a hostel for 10-20 yuan / night. In Russia, that looks more like $15-30! And more for plumbing! Man.

yrs--
--Ben

[djtiresias.livejournal.com]

huh. Most US hostels wouldn't be more than $20. Maybe you'll be able to find better prices when you're actually on the ground? That is strange.

And wow, 20 yuan, for a dorm room? That's cheap as fuck.

[benlehman.livejournal.com]

Kunming youth hostel, baby.

yrs--
--Ben

[russiandude.livejournal.com]

See Russia never had youth hostels. Thus lack of cheap places to stay for travelers.

[russiandude.livejournal.com]

Do they still have the (are you not russian? then you pay more) thingy? Also, depends on where you are staying in Russia.

[benlehman.livejournal.com]

I think that they still have extra charges for foreigners, plus foreigners often aren't allowed at the cheapest places. (For what it is worth, this is also true in China, I can just usually talk my way around it -- probably not likely in Russia, since I don't know the language.)

Do you have any recommendations for a tourist in Russia?