|
Trans-Siberian Handbook: Includes Rail Route Guide and 25 City Guides (Trailblazer Guides) | 
 enlarge | Author: Bryn Thomas
Publisher: Trailblazer Publications
Category: Book
Buy Used: $27.20
Used (7) from $27.20
Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 515037
Media: Paperback
Edition: Sixth
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 7 x 4.8 x 1.2
ISBN: 1873756704
Dewey Decimal Number: 914
UPC: 839739000124
EAN: 9781873756706
ASIN: 1873756704
Publication Date: February 1, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: We ship books out daily M-F. Tracking number will be emailed when we ship. We list the majority of our books in "Good" condition. If this book had any major flaws, it would be listed in "Acceptable" condition. Easy returns if you are unhappy with book. PLEASE NOTE: We ship immediately, however the Post Office controls delivery speed. In a hurry? Please choose EXPEDITED SHIPPING. Proceeds benefit non-profit Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties.
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
A trip across Siberia on the longest continuous railway track in the world is undoubtedly the journey of a lifetime. For the first time in Russia's history visitors can now travel almost anywhere they want in Siberia; find out how to arrange a trip, where to buy tickets, and where to go.
*Kilometer-by-kilometer route guide--covering the entire routes of the Trans-Siberian, Trans-Manchurian, and Trans-Mongolian railways, with 25 strip maps in English, Russian, and Chinese
*Siberia and the railway--the detailed history of Siberia, the construction of the railway and the running of the Trans-Siberian today will be of great interest not only to visitors but also to armchair travelers.
*City guides with maps--includes the best sights, hotels and restaurants for all budgets. Features Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ulan Bator, Beijing, and 21 towns in Siberia; nutshell information on Minsk, Berlin, Baltic Republics, Helsinki, Hong Kong, and Tokyo
*Plus--Russian and Chinese phrases, rail fares, and timetables
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
An EXCEPTIONAL BOOK! March 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Because I plan to trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway next year I bought this book hoping to read some advice and tips on how to travel the whole trip, where to stay, how much it costs, where to stay etc.
But his book absolutely surpassed all my expectations!! There are not only those tips on trans-siberian rail, but also "travel guides" for cities like Moscow, Irkutsk and even tips on how to get to Mongolia, where to stay in Ulan-Bator and so forth.
I have no idea how I would plan my trip without this book! It's really amazing how much information (and even with tips from other "ordinary" travellers!!) is in that, for instance bus-numbers from Moscow airport heading to the center of the city ...
The book absolutely worth the money.
Preferable to the Lonely Planet guide. Indeed, one of the best travel guides I've ever encountered October 31, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
For passengers on traveling on all or most of the Trans-Siberian Railway and visiting the cities along it, there are only two English-language travel guides. The Lonely Planet guide appeared in 2003 with a second edition in 2006, while Bryn Thomas updates his guide almost yearly and in 2007 it reached its seventh edition. I'm a two-time veteran of the Trans-Siberian, using the 1st edition of the Lonely Planet on the eastbound Trans-Manchurian route, and the 2nd edition on the eastbound Trans-Mongolian. When I recently discovered Bryn Thomas' guide in the local library, however, it struck me as the guide that I wish I had had on the trip.
The Lonely Planet guide and Thomas' have much in common. Both include a history of Russia in the Trans-Siberian era and general information about culture. They both give sightseeing guidance and lodging listings for the cities along the way. The LP sticks to the three traditional routes between Moscow and Beijing or Vladivostok, but Thomas has now added Yakutsk, soon to be accessible by rail) and other possible rail terminus cities like Prague and Hong Kong.
What makes Thomas' guide real special is his enthusiasm for the train journey itself. Unlike the LP guide, he gives timetables for the route, truly equipping the reader to prepare for the trip without having to look for too much information outside the book. Thomas discusses in detail the layout of carriages, specifics of what the carriage attendant can do for those under her charge, and things to look out for at kilometre markers along the way. The LP guide has little about the journey itself, and what little interesting information it did have in the first edition disappeared in the second.
Thomas' tone is also much more pleasant to read than in the common guidebooks for independent travelers. He doesn't try to sell you places you have already decided to visit with an overuse of words like "vibrant" and "spectacular". I also admire that he succeeds in writing for a general audience. While some of the accomodation listings are pricey, it doesn't feel like he is dismissing backpackers like certain sell-out guidebook lines.
I don't think I will ever travel the Trans-Siberian all the way again. While still fairly low considering the distance, fares are rising and I usually have the three free weeks needed to hitchhike from Europe to Ulan-Ude or Vladivostok. Nonetheless, I'd certainly recommend this to travelers planning a trip that is well-worth doing at least once.
Excellent guide June 27, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
My friend and I did part of the trip last summer, and the guide was simply invaluable. We were in the major cities decribed in the book, and we took the train Irkutsk--Ulaan Baator. The book was very helpful both when we were planning the trip (has train schedules) and on the spot, directing us to places of interest. Overall, gives you a good idea what to expect. Start reading the guide at least half a year before the planned trip. You'll need good 4 to 5 months to arrange everything.
Never showed up. April 4, 2007
0 out of 7 found this review helpful
I bought it as part of a package deal, and it never arrived.
Useful Along the Railroad March 6, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I used this book while traveling along the Trans-Siberian railroad and in planning my trip beforehand. It provides a great amount of quality information for planning purposes, but it is not complete. For example, when it lists the time table of trains, please note that it is only a sample of the most popular "tourist" trains. We found hundreds of trains going along the route, leaving at all times of day and night (of course we figured this out once we got there).
The translations were useful if you do not know the Russian alphabet. The pronunciation guide is good.
The best part of the guide was the section which gave you fun facts along the kilometer markings of the railroad. These made up a great portion of our entertainment while riding the train (4 days of sitting and looking out the window, chatting with other travellers, etc.). The little tidbits were very interesting!
The city guides within the book were an okay start to get familiar with the cities, but as with any guidebook which tries to cram it all in, it was not nearly complete.
My only con of the book was the large size of it. It is very thick, but I guess it must be (it has sooooo much info inside!)
I would recommend buying it if you are traveling along the railroad, or just as a great reference!
|
|
|
Copyright 2008 - RailroadBookstore.com | |
