BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi,

I hope this is the right forum for these questions. I'm planning on traveling on the Trans-Mongolian from St. Petersburg to Beijing (with stops) this summer. I've read lots of details about the trip, from Lonely Planet, Bryn Thomas, this forum, and elsewhere. But there are a couple of logistical questions that don't seem to be answered anywhere.

We're planning on traveling third class mostly (only second class when we think we'll need the extra privacy to finally get some sleep).

1) Do you have to bring your stuff with you everywhere? For example, if we go to the dining carriage, or the bathroom, do we have to take all of our bags with us? Obviously it's wise to always carry your cash and other more expensive item s (e.g. camera) with you, but will I need to bring my backpack everywhere or can I leave it sitting on my bunk? In third class there will be no cabin to lock, and from what I understand, nowhere really to stow a backpack. In other words, will we have to jealously keep all our personal belongings right next to us at all times (even when visiting someone at the other end of the train car)?

2) How do you wake up for your train stops? We're planning on getting off of the train many times around 6 and 7 in the morning local times. Regardless of train class, will the provodnitsa wake us for our stop or do we have to wake ourselves? If we have to wake ourselves, how do we do it? I imagine an alarm clock might be a little annoying to the 30 or 50 other occupants of the train car...

Thanks for the help, and I apologize if I've missed a glaringly obvious source of information for these two questions.

1) No. Just take your day pack with your valuables. Platskartny is basically one big open space and except for late at night, there is always somebody around who'll watch out for your gear. Just be friendly, share food and drink with the locals and you'll have plenty of friends who'll watch out for you.

2)Usually the provodnitsa will wake you up. I've also been woken up by fellow travelers at stations. Again, the more friends you make on the train, the more people will be concerned that your trip goes well. If everybody around you knows where you're heading, somebody will make sure you'll get out at the right stop.

Thanks elAdi for your helpful response! I can't wait to go.