As the sun rose and the train rattled on towards Krasnoyarsk, I decided to take a look around the cabin.
Having taken the “hop-on-hop-off” approach to the transcontinental rail journey, I’d become intimately familiar with where and how to store my baggage quickly and in a manner that allowed for easy access.
Most other travelers I encountered had decided to stay on the train no-stop (from St. Petersburg to Irkutsk usually) and many of them rarely accessed most of their baggage; donning the same ensemble or two for the entire 5850km or roughly 95 hour journey. (For the record, I think all these people are nuts and can’t imagine how they didn’t go absolutely stir-crazy!)
All things considered, the trains offered more storage and convenience amenities than I had anticipated. Hooks to hang jackets, mirrors and personal lights were unexpected perks.
When possible, I opted for a bottom bunk as the upper bunks only had a few lax straps (if anything) to restrain you while the train bumped around through the night.
The general condition of the trains – both repair and cleanliness – seemed to diminish proportionate to the distance east of Moscow. However, all the trains were “nicer” and more comfortable than I had anticipated.
