What is the best way to get around Russia?

Question by Andrew W: Moving like a Mongol: What is the best way to get around Russia?
I am planning a long trip to explore Russia and the rest of Central Asia and I need some advice. I want to pretty much travel the expanse of Russia, starting in Murmansk heading south through some of the major cities to Kazakhstan and then through central Russia and Mongolia, ultimately ending in Vladivostok. I had trains in mind, but would economy air travel be better, and is it possible (or advisable) to rent a car and drive, or would that be a very bad idea? I want to stay off the beaten path for the most part and visit Russian towns that are not so well-known. This would take place over the summer. Is it possible to make that kind of journey in 3 months time?

I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has done something simillar or who is familliar with travel inside the former Soviet Union.
Can you rent cars?

Answers and Views:

Answer by KatyaThe Gooner
Trains, trains, trains. There’s no such thing as economy air travel for foreigners in Russia. It’s all really expensive. Trains are cheap, safe, comfortable and brilliant fun. I went from Vladivostok to Tallinn by train and it was amazing. Flying means you miss loads of scenery and loads of partying. You’ll need to read Cyrillic and know a reasonable amount of Russian to get the most out of the experience, but that’s my advice.

As for hiring a car, I’m not sure. I would guess it would be quite a hassle with plenty of bureaucracy to wade through but on that I don’t really know.

Good luck.

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