Travel Tips for Russia
In Suzdal (Around Moscow), the money change and visa card facilities at GTK and the bank in the town are no longer. The bank is now housed in a modern purpose-built building but only exchanges US dollars or UK pounds. The facility at the hotel was closed down due to lack of custom.
In Irkutsk, American Express Travellers cheques can be changed at the following address : Sverdlova 40, Vneshtorgbank. Their opening hours are 8.30 am to 3.30 pm with a break from 1 pm to 2 pm.
I have recently completed an independent journey from Beijing to Moscow at a cost of US$190. You can arrange the trip through the China International Travel Service (CITS) which is located in the Beijing International Hotel. All you need to do is fax CITS your booking request and they will return confirmation by fax wherever you are in the world. They require that you pay in full, one week before departure or your booking will be cancelled. Most people arrive well before this time so they can have a good look around. Contact CITS : ( 0086 10 651 20507, fax : 0086 10 651 20503.)
Alternative ways of doing the Trans-Siberian can be very expensive. Hong Kong charges a minimum of U$90 commission and in the UK the packages are about US$430.
