8 Tips On How to Stay Safe On Transiberian Railway
Frankly speaking, a lot of people in and from Russia were quite surprised that I'm doing Transiberian Railway by myself. Very often was this sentence followed by something similar to “I would never let my daughter/girlfriend/sister to do the same thing. Now, this is not to say that it is 100% safe to cross the entire country with a train by yourself and nothing can happen. Just because I got out without any problem doesn't mean it will be the same for you. However, I believe that there are a couple of useful tips regarding the train ride itself, which can help to minimalize the risk and therefore enjoy the trip without safety issues.
Some good news to begin with:
There are usually two policemen who regularly walk through the train.
Since selling hard alcohol on the train stations is prohibited, you hardly ever meet anyone drunk/tipsy and therefore potentially dangerous on the train.
Every “vagon” has at least one or two “pruvodnice”. They are there to help and check that everyone is doing fine.
Enough positive stuff and here are some important rules to follow:
1) Travel with the cheapest/3rd/platzkarta class. Not only because you save a lot of money, but since it is an open space, you won't end up closed in a coupe with one guy as it happened to me in the 2nd class (also, it is much more fun as you get to know more people, share more food and play more boardgames).
2) Learn some survival Russian before you go.
3) Buy the train tickets so that you won't end up o a train station in the middle on the night (watch out! all train tickets are in Moscow time, that's why I ended up in Irkutsk train station at around 2 am in the morning).
4) If you don't feel comfortable because of someone, talk to the pruvodnice. And get to know other people! There is always someone “safe” on the train, grandparents with kids or lost Westerners. Carry around enough extra food, souvenirs and small gifts you can share. They will be useful as you will need help from other people. And that will most probably happen. And it's ok!
5) If you don't have friend in Russia, try couch surfing. It is a totally different experience if you know someone local.
6) Simple one: don't be alone after 11 pm in the cities.
7) Travel light and during the stops, have your valuables on you (even though I have a feeling that the safest place where to store things is simply your big luggage, as no-one really expects you to put your valuables there, plus the luggage storage is usually the most difficult to place to reach).
8) Relax. Russia today is very different from the way it was in the 90s. Just be aware of what's happening around you and you will be fine!
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions regarding my experience.