Yaroslavski Train Station in Moscow
At 23:55 Tuesday night, our train was set to depart – next stop Irkutsk in Siberia!
The train ride from Moscow to Irkutsk was the longest leg of our train trip, leaving Tuesday evening and arriving Saturday morning. We were sure to pack plenty of snacks, download a lot of books for our Kindles, and bring the tripod for our camera to take plenty of photos of the Russian countryside.
This post is image heavy, but you need to keep in mind we were traveling over a few days with so much changing scenery! Such an amazing experience and we also met so many great people!
While in Moscow we decided to stay at the Hilton Leningradskaya, which is just 5 minutes from the train station. Turned out to be a great choice. Our last day we were able to check our luggage and explore Moscow. And after dinner, we relaxed in the lounge, drinking tea and enjoying our last day of Wifi for the week! With our train departing at 23:55, it was great having a comfortable location to relax.
Our hotel in Moscow – the Hilton Leningradskaya
Train #4
Entering the station
Our train!
Last view of the train station
Our train to Irkutsk was Chinese run, so the entire staff was from Beijing
Free boiling water for the entire trip! I’ve never drank so much tea in my life!
Burning coal to heat the train
First class hallway
Second class hallway
Broom for sweeping the coal
Restaurant car – such a rip off!
Inside the restaurant car on the train
Waiting for breakfast
More tea
Our extremely overpriced breakfast and also the last time we went to the restaurant car for a meal! Your better off bringing your own food and buying more food at the stops along the way!
First stop
Koen cleaning our window so we can take the best photos!
Pickles and vodka that we brought with us from Moscow
Yum!
Assortment of cured meats from the Danilovsky Market
Our special honey from the Danilovsky Market
Lobster chips?
My train companion ❤
Next stop and getting much cooler! Koen still cleaning to ensure a great view!
Time to stock up on more food!
Constantly buying cold water at stops
Hoping for the best with the homemade foods – never sure what the filling would be!
More pickles
Cheesy bread – I dipped it in my instant ramen!
Delicious hotdog pastries and cabbage stuffed fried pirozhki
Pelmeni (Russian dumplings) – later had to figure out how to eat them! I wound up putting them in my tea cup and steeping them in boiling water – delicious!
Our room – I had the bottom bunk
Koen’s bed, the top bunk
Our table full of tea, vodka, and snacks
Relaxing in my oversized hoodie all day every day in the train
More cabbage stuffed pirozhki
Pelmeni, this time filled with mashed potatoes and covered in butter
Refilling the coal in our train car
Nicole and Adam
Koen and me
Dena and Dan
An American in Antwerp 