Travel/backpacking advice (way off-topic)

[Interactive Civilian]

Hey all! I hope everyone had a good season, and for those of you in the southern hemisphere, enjoy your upcoming season.

I'm posting this because I need some advice about travelling in Russia and Europe, and there seem to be a lot of people from Europe around here. I realize that this has absolutely nothing to do with extreme carving, and if the mods feel this topic is inappropriate, feel free to lock it.

A lot of things have changed in my life and I am no longer a high school teacher in Japan. From here on out, I will be backpacking around the world, hopefully for about a year or so. Step 1 is to get to Europe from Japan.

I'm pretty certain that I will cross Russia using the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Vladivostok to Moscow. After doing some research, it seems that I can travel 3rd Class for US$90!! Granted, it isn't comfortable, but it is cheap. However, from Moscow, I don't know what to do. Chances are I will only be able to get a Transit Visa to pass through Russia (10 day limit), so stopping really isn't an option.

So, what is the cheapest destination in Europe (mainly in a country where, as a US citizen, I don't need to apply for a visa in order to enter) from Moscow, either by airplane or by train? I would prefer train because some of the stuff in my pack won't be allowed carry-on on an airplane and I don't necessarily trust it t be checked. Where can I go? How much will it cost to get there? Where can I order tickets?

I need to get tickets before-hand so I can go to the Russian Embassy and apply for a transit visa to cross Russia.

Anyway, my current "plan" is to leave Japan by ferry from Niigata on May 19th. I should arrive in Vladivostok on the morning of the 21st, and would like to catch the train that afternoon, if it is possible (ferry arrives at about 0900, and the train leaves at 1300). I would then arrive in Moscow just before 1800 on the 27th. From there I don't know what to do, and only 3 days to get out of Russia. So, again...

Where can I go? How much will it cost to get there? Where can I order tickets?

Also, does anyone have any experience riding the Trans-Siberian? Is 3rd class a bad idea? Apparently 2nd class is $250, which I can afford, but it would be really nice to save the $160.

Any comments and advice are appreciated.

Also, feel free to follow my progress in my blog:
http://sekai-isshuu.blogspot.com
There isn't much there now, but I will be updating it whenever I can during my travels.

[nils]

travel in europe: cheapest is by bus, train comes second... (hitchiking is even cheaper).
Ex communist countries are cheaper than western european countries, so depending what u intend to do / stay at its going to cost double from Paris to budapest for example.
I've always dreamed of taking the transsiberian, i assume the 3d class is ok, u'll meet lots of guys there too ( girls too ).. its just that earplugs seems to be mandatory in the 3d class since its a bit more packed... ( don't forget to take a bed too).. Bring some food also since 3d has no restaurant service at all i think ( seen a documentary about the train few weeks ago), the rest you will find at local stops...

good trip!
Nils

[marcu]

To travel through Europe is cheaper if you go by car or bus. Also train prices depend on the country you are in. the excomunist countries are verry cheap but also may be pretty dangerous. If you decide to go through Europe, You should visit Romania and go to Balea Lake from Fagaras Mountains there it is like a micro climate and there are some beautyfull sites to see. also there is snow untill july.

best of wishes.

[Interactive Civilian]

nils and marcu, thank you for the replies.

As far as travelling in Europe, I'm not too worried about that yet, but I will definitely be sticking to cheaper modes of transportation. One option I am considering is buying a bicycle when I get there and using that to travel around. I have had two similar bicycle trips before: 2 months traveling up and down the east coast of the USA in 1998, and one month traveling all around Japan in 2003. Therefore, traveling like that is no problem for me and it is a great way to see the country-side.

Also, I am quite lucky. I have friends and acquaintances who have offered me places to stay in Paris, Berlin, Munich, London, Belgium, and Finland.

My current problem is how to get from Moscow to anywhere in Europe. I have no idea about where to look for travel agencies, and for some reason my Google-fu has been failing me at this. I've had some advice to go to some of the eastern countries like Estonia or Lithuania, since they are closest to Moscow and are apparently very cheap. Another idea is to go to St. Petersburg and then take a ferry to Helsinki, Finland.

These both seem like good ideas, but I don't know how to get tickets for either one while I am in Japan. However, I need to get the tickets before-hand (I think), or else I will not be able to apply for a transit visa to cross Russia.

Any thoughts?

[Ohawa]

Well don't forget about the Czech Republic! Great country with long alpine snowboarding tradition. And some beer to it makes it quite a nice place to live. Accomodation is generaly quite cheap, from 10 to 50 euros per person/night. Apparently the best and most dense bus and train network in the world.
Of course, France. Skiing at any time, any price. United States on a small surface area: sea, innerland and mountains, everything you want. Wine and cheese (at least the wine). A bit difficult to get around with english only.