Solo female traveler on the Trans siberian railway

Are you planning your trip across Trans Siberian alone? Do you worry that something might happen? Don’t worry, there are many solo female travelers taking Trans Siberian railroad each year.

We are a female run business, so we know all about traveling by yourself! All of us in ExploRussia have done this trip multiple amount of times. We gathered some tips for you how to make sure your Trans Siberian railroad trip is safe.

Do your homework

As you would, for any other trip. Familiarize yourself with the basic facts about Russia, main cities you are going to visit, and the railroad itself. A good idea is to at least take a look at Cyrillic alphabet, and even try to learn the letters. It will really help you on the way.

It takes seven days to travel from Moscow to Vladivostok, and, trust us, you don’t want to go the entire way without stopping in different cities.

Map out the most interesting cities for you on the way, and book a night or two in those to make the trip easier on the one hand, and more interesting on the other. You will get to see the biggest country in the world on one trip!

Plan for your food needs

Especially, if you are a vegetarian or vegan – make sure to do your grocery shopping before you board the train. On the train, there is a restaurant, but it won’t have too many different options. Plus, it is common to take your own food to eat on the train.

Take food that doesn’t spoil easily and doesn’t need to be fried, boiled, grilled, etc. You won’t have an access to kitchen supplies.

Hygiene questions

If you travel in a first-class coupe, you have access to shower. However, if you decide to take the cheapest option (platzkart), there is no shower available. Only a toilet with the sink.

Hence, see the first point about mapping out the cities where you can stay for one or two nights.

Dress appropriately

Dress comfortably and appropriately. On the train, the general atmosphere is very relaxed, so there is no need to dress up. Also, if you sleep on a higher bunk, it is easier to climb up for you.

You can change in your sleep wear in the bathroom, so it is also a good idea to take your pajamas to make your trip even more comfortable. However, be mindful that you are sharing your space with other people, and extravagant sleep wear might not be the most appropriate attire for sleeping in a public place.

Interacting with strangers

In general, there is a special culture on a Russian train.

People like to interact. If you don’t feel like doing it, just politely tell your neighbors that you would like to read or something like that.

If you decide to engage into conversation, don’t be surprise that people might tell you very personal things. It is a one-time interaction, and you will never see this person – this is the trick of a railroad trip.

Moreover, people will try to share their food with you, and their drinks. It is considered polite to share on the train. Sharing is carrying.

If you don’t feel like sharing stories about yourself, listening to others, and sharing food, stay firm but polite.

Certain things in Russian culture might surprise you. Keep your mind opened, relax and enjoy your trip across the longest railroad! If you want to know more about travelling by train, check out detailed FAQ about life on a Russian train on our website.