slothis · English

Arriving in Moscow: Trans-Siberian Railway

2016-05-28 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

Three hours before arrival, everyone wakes up and starts packing. I'm starting to wonder if they're just diligent because they're soldiers, or if they've always been this way. The rustling noise was so loud that we eventually got up and started packing too. Honestly, since we've just been eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom without changing our clothes or underwear for three days, we don't really have much to pack anyway.

Bunk beds inside a train cabin and people wearing camouflage pants and striped shirts

Everyone is incredibly diligent.

One hour before arrival, looking outside, it seems we've reached the outskirts of Moscow. There are lots of apartments and beautiful buildings. And there's so much graffiti.

View of trees and high-rise apartment buildings beyond a green soundproof wall
Colorful high-rise apartment buildings seen beyond power lines and utility poles
Brightly colored high-rise apartments and a wall with graffiti

Finally arrived. The smell of the train, which we rode for a full three days and then some, must be radiating from my entire body, but unfortunately, I can't smell a thing. Now, all I want to do is say goodbye to the soldiers who shared this long journey with us and hurry to a place with running water to take a shower. I'm thankful to Seungjun, who suffered through this train ride with me while I was being super frugal and skipping meals because our itinerary was long and uncertain. I also want to express my gratitude to our soldier friends who didn't just stare at us like strange Koreans they'd never seen before, but used all sorts of body language to try and talk to us, generously shared their daily food with me, guarded my phone battery on the train, and let me use the bathroom first. Also, a huge thank you to Oksanne, who appeared like an absolute angel when we wanted to talk to the soldiers but hadn't managed to do so even once. I'd also like to thank the babushkas (grandmothers) who seemed fascinated by us eating nothing but instant ramen and rehydrated rice for three days and tried to teach us this and that though we didn't understand a word since it was in Russian. Thank you, everyone. We've arrived safely in Moscow.

People boarding or waiting for a train on a station platform and a red brick building
Arrival
A train with a red logo stopped under a massive steel roof
Goodbye~ Train No. 099
People with luggage gathered in front of a large train station building with arched windows
A black sign inside a train station directing to the subway, ticket office, restrooms, and luggage storage
In massive Moscow, we'll mostly be taking the subway rather than walking. In Russian, it's "metro." If you say "underground," they won't understand and will just walk away.
A yellow illuminated sign with Russian words for bread and pizza hangs from the ceiling.
A bakery we went into while waiting for the subway to start running.
Various types of bread, including sausage bread and pizza bread, are placed in a display case with Russian price tags.
Various drinks, including bottled water, soda, and canned beer, are displayed in a glass-door refrigerator.
Even though it's a shop, it's cheaper than the train station.
Sausage bread in a plastic bag and two bottles of yellow fruit drink are placed on a black table.
Right now is a time when anything we eat tastes amazing. Even so, that drink is exceptionally good.
A large crowd of people is moving together under a sign directing to the train station and subway station.
People who took the train to Moscow from all over are waiting for the subway. You can also see scalpers selling tickets early at a premium for them.
A long, steep escalator lined with illuminated pillars
I heard the Moscow Metro was deep, but I didn't know it was this deep.

Expenses per person / might be for 2 people

Total expenses 6,140RUB

Total trip expenses 525,936 KRW + 18,491RUB + $53.16