Tips for Lake Baikal & the Trans-Siberian Railway

2016-06-14 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

Lake Baikal

• I recommend booking your accommodation in Listvyanka.
• If you're going to Olkhon Island, I recommend stopping by Listvyanka first. Everyone says Olkhon Island is prettier, so you should save it for later.
• A local told me that Lake Baikal is best seen in May, June, and July. The lake probably has its own charm in the winter, but I personally recommend the summer.
• Hundreds of thousands of White Army soldiers from the Romanov dynasty rest beneath Lake Baikal. Don't underestimate the Siberian cold.
• It's better to eat omul (local Baikal fish) whole rather than dried (though personal preferences may vary).
• When buying omul, skip the smallest ones and go for the medium sizes and up. The largest ones, which cost 100 RUB, are the best to eat.
• Even in summer, you can't go into the lake. The water temperature is 1 degree Celsius, and you might even see ice here and there (though I did see a few Russians go in).
• When booking a tour, you can check the number of people and negotiate the price.
• For meals, I recommend eating at the restaurants across from the market rather than in the market itself.
• Don't forget: this is Siberia.

Trans-Siberian Railway

• If you take train 099, you can charge your devices by plugging them into the outlet next to the bathroom from the second-floor bunk nearby. There are also outlets available on the first-floor bunks in the second compartments on both the left and right. Of course, I don't know if they're all like this. I've only ridden it once myself.
• For instant noodles, Dosirak (a Korean brand with thin noodles) is the best. It's popular for a reason. It would be nice to bring some from Korea, but they take up a lot of space, so I recommend buying them at Irkutsk Station. Never try making "ppogeuri" (cooking noodles directly in the bag).
• There are more than five flavors of Dosirak noodles in Russia. However, I recommend sticking to the original.
• To suit a Korean palate, you should add a little more water and wait about a minute longer so the noodles get slightly softer.
• If there's one thing you must pack, it's tea and a mug. With nothing to do, you'll end up constantly drinking hot tea, and if you use a thermos, it won't cool down, which gets annoying. You can borrow a cup from the conductor, but if they run out, you obviously won't get one.
• Buy a 5-liter bottle of water at Irkutsk Station (if there's a bigger one, buy that).
• The raspberry jam is incredibly delicious. If you see it, definitely buy it.
• It's nice to bring instant rice from Korea, but in terms of weight and practicality, it can't beat the bread and jam combo. Avoid bringing it if possible.
• Make sure to buy sunflower seeds. They really help pass the boring hours.
• Do not share drinks with Russians on the train. No one recommended it, and I heard that Russians can get very easily agitated when drinking, making it easy for fights to break out. Also, soldiers face heavy penalties if they drink, so just abstain from alcohol for the three days.
• Don't play card games either. Playing with soldiers is fine since there's no money involved, but it's best to avoid playing cards for money. Don't try to kill time and end up actually dead.
• Download a Russian dictionary before you go. People who speak English are extremely rare.
• When booking a 3rd-class carriage (an open 6-person compartment), if a 1st-floor bunk is available, grab it no matter what. The aisle side is a bit narrow, but it's better than not even being able to sit up on the 2nd floor.
• If you want to wash your face, pack a small basin. I just gave up and only washed my eyes and brushed my teeth.
• Dry shampoo is useless. Just accept that you won't be washing your hair for three days.
• Make sure to shower at Irkutsk Station before boarding. That will be your last shower.
• Pack a pair of slippers. They are quite comfortable.
• On the first day, you'll only see snow, but from the second day on, you can enjoy the changing scenery outside the window. Of course, in winter, you might just see the exact same scenery for three days straight.

• Every carriage has a timetable like this. It's a good idea to take a picture of it in advance so you can check how long it is until the next long stop. Both directions are listed, so make sure you don't get confused.
• Make sure to pack wet wipes. You'll understand when you see the toilet, but you can just throw them away.
• Using the bathroom is prohibited while stopped at a station and for about 10 to 30 minutes before and after. Go to the bathroom while the train is running smoothly.
• Luggage must be placed under the 1st-floor bed (if you lift the bed, there is space) or put up top.
• The bedding was fairly clean.