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Trans-Siberian Handbook: The Guide to the World's Longest Railway Journey with 90 Maps and Guides to the Route, Cities and Towns in Russia, Mongolia & China
A trip across Siberia on the longest continuous railway track in the world is undoubtedly the journey of a lifetime. It’s also a convenient way to reach China, Mongolia or Japan. Tickets are not expensive or difficult to arrange.
This acclaimed guide shows you how to organise a trip, where to get tickets, where to stay and what to see.
Practical information – planning your trip; what to take; getting to Russia from Europe, North America and Australasia
Kilometre-by-kilometre route guides covering the entire routes of the Trans-Siberian, Trans-Manchurian, Trans-Mongolian and Siberian BAM railways with 49 strip maps in English, Russian and Chinese: see where you are as you travel.
City guides and maps – the best sights, places to stay and restaurants for all budgets: Moscow, St Petersburg, Ulaan Baatar, Beijing and 32 towns in Siberia; plus Lake Baikal guide
Siberia and the railway – the detailed history of Siberia, the construction and the running of the railway today are of great interest not only to visitors but also to armchair travellers.
With 90 maps – plus timetables, fares, Russian & Chinese phrases
New 9th edition a new 16pp color introduction and trip planner
This acclaimed guide shows you how to organise a trip, where to get tickets, where to stay and what to see.
Practical information – planning your trip; what to take; getting to Russia from Europe, North America and Australasia
Kilometre-by-kilometre route guides covering the entire routes of the Trans-Siberian, Trans-Manchurian, Trans-Mongolian and Siberian BAM railways with 49 strip maps in English, Russian and Chinese: see where you are as you travel.
City guides and maps – the best sights, places to stay and restaurants for all budgets: Moscow, St Petersburg, Ulaan Baatar, Beijing and 32 towns in Siberia; plus Lake Baikal guide
Siberia and the railway – the detailed history of Siberia, the construction and the running of the railway today are of great interest not only to visitors but also to armchair travellers.
With 90 maps – plus timetables, fares, Russian & Chinese phrases
New 9th edition a new 16pp color introduction and trip planner
528 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 1, 2007
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.
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.
June 23, 2019
A great guide to the transiberian journey. I did a 4 week from saint petersburg to Beijing and this was an excellent companion with guides to the main cities and places along the route. Incredibly well researched and with great and funny history of the building and first travels on the transiberian railway. Really a must for whoever wants to embark in this adventure. I travelled in 2019 with a 2014 edition so naturally somethings have changed, mostly in what concerns prices and schedules of the main attractions in Russia. Very useful tips also and useful short sentences in Russian and Chinese. Oh, and thank you for the map of Beijing’s subway on the last pages. Quite nice.
July 4, 2023
If and when I'll ever get to do a Transsiberian train journey, it will be with the latest version of this book.
The annual updates make it superior to the Lonely Planet alternative.
The annual updates make it superior to the Lonely Planet alternative.
January 10, 2014
Please, buy this book!
I had such a great time going across Russia, and this book told me everything I needed to know that was outside my window.
In 2009 came up from Hong Kong to Beijing into Mongolia and then to Russia. I stopped at Lake Baikal for a couple days and then it was straight on to Moscow, as well as St. Petersberg a few days later.
Let me tell you, that train is boring. Having a good book that tells you the history of the country is great, and this one does a good job.
I actually still had this book in my bag when I was in Madrid and I left it in a hotel drawer there. I wonder if some Spaniard found it or if some American passing through. I'd like to think they used it on the train themselves.
You really can't go wrong with this great Tran-Siberia railroad book from Bryn Thomas!
I had such a great time going across Russia, and this book told me everything I needed to know that was outside my window.
In 2009 came up from Hong Kong to Beijing into Mongolia and then to Russia. I stopped at Lake Baikal for a couple days and then it was straight on to Moscow, as well as St. Petersberg a few days later.
Let me tell you, that train is boring. Having a good book that tells you the history of the country is great, and this one does a good job.
I actually still had this book in my bag when I was in Madrid and I left it in a hotel drawer there. I wonder if some Spaniard found it or if some American passing through. I'd like to think they used it on the train themselves.
You really can't go wrong with this great Tran-Siberia railroad book from Bryn Thomas!
January 3, 2014
"Trans-Siberian Handbook, 8th ed." by Bryn Thomas (sections read January 2014)
It was really handy, almost essential, to have the Trans-Sib Handbook with me when I read "To The Edge Of The World" by Christian Wolmar because the latter's maps included insufficient place names to correspond with the text. The Trans-Sib's maps made up for that.
It was also interesting to read the (naturally more brief) history of the railway where different anecdotes filled out the picture a bit more and where also there were a few differences in emphasis.
My plans to travel the Trans-Siberian won't be coming to fruition after all so I can't comment on its usefulness on that account but I have no doubt it would be as useful as Trailblazer's "Trans-Canada Rail Guide", for a route I have travelled.
It was really handy, almost essential, to have the Trans-Sib Handbook with me when I read "To The Edge Of The World" by Christian Wolmar because the latter's maps included insufficient place names to correspond with the text. The Trans-Sib's maps made up for that.
It was also interesting to read the (naturally more brief) history of the railway where different anecdotes filled out the picture a bit more and where also there were a few differences in emphasis.
My plans to travel the Trans-Siberian won't be coming to fruition after all so I can't comment on its usefulness on that account but I have no doubt it would be as useful as Trailblazer's "Trans-Canada Rail Guide", for a route I have travelled.
April 10, 2013
While I can't claim that I have read this book cover to cover there is no doubt in my mind that it's a fine guidebook. I have found, and found quickly, all relevant information that I have been looking for. I especially appreciate the mile-by mile description of what you will see from the train as you speed along European Russia and Siberia, I'm sure it will make my journey that much more rewarding. Can't wait to get started!
January 4, 2011
The best Trans Siberian Guide book I ever come across. Full of practical tips to start planning and doing train journey. The route, train station even altitude being describe very subtle to give deeper understanding of their journey. Recommended as a companion to spend hours, while try to avoid too much vodka.
December 16, 2007
A guide to a bloody long train ride. Quite definitive with history, tips and tit-bits for the routes and towns. Maps and poor quality photos are only minor disappointments.
Most impressive feature is its small dimensions. Finally a guide book that can be thrust easily into a jacket pocket as you go buy yet another bottle of vodka and smoked fish from a platform babushka.
Most impressive feature is its small dimensions. Finally a guide book that can be thrust easily into a jacket pocket as you go buy yet another bottle of vodka and smoked fish from a platform babushka.
April 3, 2014
I will say that the Bryn Thomas book is ideal for this trip! The girl sharing my cabin has the Lonely Planet one and it's apparently pretty useless unless you're getting off to explore the towns along the way.
March 19, 2009
very helpful!
March 28, 2011
Found in a hostel in China, and was very useful!
June 15, 2013
Must have to plan and use on your train trip
March 12, 2013
The best guidebook I've ever used.
February 16, 2015
Must have guide for the Trans-Siberian.
February 23, 2016
Lots of good information... Maybe I'll write more after August, when I take the trip.
April 4, 2020
I would rather prefer an electronic version. The book is a bit heavy and font sizes small. Content is excellent and makes a tremendous companion for a travel yet to happen (but it will)
June 15, 2020
I’m an armchair traveler unfortunately but this book is amazing! Would be incredibly useful for anyone planning a trip.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews