Travel Answers

Irkutsk

Hello. I'm getting the train across to Ulan Bator, and get into Urkutsk at 2.32am. I only have that day and the next day there, before getting the train on. (Don't ask... visa mess up). Can anyone give me advice on what to do - is there somewhere I should stay in Irkutsk at that time cheaply for a few hours? Or is there a way to make my way directly to Listvyanka... and any recommendations on where to stay? Thank you so much. It probably looks like I'm being lazy. But I've done lots of looking into this and figure I can work something out. But given my limited time, it seemed wisest to ask the experts for a recommendation! Thanks again, Andy

Dear Friends, Do you know any online shopping site or any shop/company in Russia that I can order smoked omul. This is the best fish I ever tasted. I could not find any VT member in Listvyanka and also the VT members in Irkutsk seem inactive. Appreciate any help.

Hi everyone, My boyfriend and I will do a trip to Russia in May (as part of a longer trip with the Transsib). We have booked a homestay in a Russian family located in Listvianka at Lake Baikal via a travel agency. We are now wondering what the place Listvianka is like? Are there any shops to buy food, souvenirs etc.? Is there maybe even a bike rental? Are there local tour operators that arrange day tours, like walking tours or something similar? Plus: What kind of gifts should we bring with us from Germany for the guest family? Thank you for your answers in advance! Catrin

Is there any Indian restaurant in Irkutsk? Google search is silent.

Hello Can anyone tell me about the temperature/weather situation in the beginning of september? Is it possible to get from Irkutsk to the north end of the lake and back at that time of year in 3-4 days? Any other suggestions for things to do that includes seeing the lake in 3-4 days??

Hello I am planing sleep 1-2 night on Bajkal lake 12-13.07.2008 I am looking a chaep sleep. Anyone could recomende something me? What city on Bajkal lake ? and on the other hand I am looking realy cheap sleep in Irkuck ?

Is there an American Consulate/Embassy in Irkuts? If there is not, what is the closest location where people from Irkutsk get their USA visas? Thank you

Does anyone know where I can get a visa support letter/invitation from anywhere in Irkutsk or Ulan Ude? Thanks

Hello. My girlfriend & I are planning to spend a couple of months in Russia basing ourselves in Irkutsk. I am looking for some general information about living costs, but especially renting a small apartment( as I hope this will cut the costs abit) & the possibility of teaching english to keep the bank balance from collapsing. I am from the UK & my girlfriend is Slovak( & speaks Russian, a big help)....we'd also like to get in touch with anyone living in Irkutsk, especially Russian, as it's always helpful to have friends. Thanks to all who reply. Andy

My husband and I are moving to Irkutsk and are interested in knowing about the cost of living in Irkutsk and surrounding area. We have lived for about 7 years in Russian towns, so we do not want to live like tourists. Our goal is to blend and live more or less like the locals. Any info on the range of rent costs or costs for buying property there would be appreciated. Thanks for your replies in advance. Cor

HI, My partner and I will be stopping at Lake Baikal and were wondering how long to stay there, we are outdorrs type people with all our own camping gear is there neough to do to stay for a week or more? Is it a relaxing place etc? Cheers

Hi I will be in Irkutsk on May 19 2007. Does anyone know of a good bar that will show the English FA Cup Final on TV? Also if there are any fans of Zvezda Irkutsk on this site please feel free to contact me. Thank you Jerry

Hello to all, again. I am now trying to find prices for some of the hotels everyone has so graciously recommended. I have tried to book a hotel online, but I have not had any success. Can anyone make a recommendation. I have been told to expect to spend200.00 a night, does that sound correct?

Hello all and thank you in advance to those who reply. I will be traveling to Irkutsk in November to meet a dear friend. I am somewhat concerned about neo-nazi activity and I am trying to determine the safest place to stay (a hotel) and the best way to get around town without using public transportation. From what I have been able to learn from reading news reports and other sources, neo-nazi activity seems to be confined to areas that are less than desirable -- is that true? Are there any car services in Irkutsk that I could arrange in advance? Is there an office of the American Embassy in Irkutsk? All replies will be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone know the Parus Travel Agency in Irkutsk and have you had any dealings with them?

According to what I have read on VT, it seems that 1) visiting Baikal lake is a must; 2)it's a good idea going off the beaten path and visiting the most "unexplored" parts of it. That's why I was considering the option of getting a car in Irkutsk or Listvyanka for a couple of days. Does anybody know where I can do it? Or, are there alternatives like hiring a guide or a taxi driver? Thank you in advance!

Can anyone please tell me if their are any tourist apartments for rent in Irkutsk?

Does anyone knows the name of the hotel right near Irkutsk airport, and if possible their phone#? Thank you. Eric

Hello! Does anybody know that if I can apply for Mogolia visa at Mongolia consulate at Irkutsk? I've read related infomation on LP, just wanna make sure. Thanks for your replay in advance!! Best, Martha

Privet to all VT'ers, I've read on my Lonely Planet guide that finding a (budget) accomodation in Irkutsk without booking in advance might be hard. Is that true? I will travel there in mid August. Also, any suggestions about good accomodation (B&B, hostels, apartments) will be much appreciated. ZoT

Is camping possible around Baikal? Are there any camping facilities near the towns? I am visiting Baikal in the second half of June. Thank you.

Bonjour, I plan in march 2006 to go from IKT to Ulan Ude Chita and Then Khabarovsk to meet local painters in their workshops (spending about 3 to 4 days in each town). I am french tourist interested in Siberian painters and i already did those cultural trips several times in the past, it s an amazing way of discovering those cultures. (my profesional activity has nothing to see with those trips) Would you like to join me ? If you like art and painting, if you are from Sibir Ir you are available in march 2006 if you can translate from russian to french/english Contact me to discuss further into details on how to deal with that. Poka

I can't stand any more of those cold, creepy, impersonal hotels. Any information on finding a decent B&B or homestay with locals in or near Irkutsk (or Baikal) would be most appreciated.

I am posting this on behalf of a friend who is at the moment travelling by ferry from Japan to Shanghai. He is planning to get all the way back to England by surface transport. He is travelling from Shanghai to Beijing, then by train, arriving in Irkutsk September 6th. He has tickets booked as far as Irkutsk. He has been trying to secure a ticket from Irkutsk to Moscow and onwards to Riga. Reading others' tips it seems it should be possible to book these tickets when he arrives in Irkutsk - he plans to stay there for a few days. Can anyone confirm that this should be ok. It would be great to hear from anyone who has done this trip or something similar so that I can pass on any advice. Many thanks Ellen Morgan

So it is my turn to ask the experts. On my many trips to Russia i have come across a "mystery" for me... and nobody have been able to give me an answer... but maybe there are no answer? I have noticed, mainly in the country, that the window frames are painted blue! why blue? was it fashion 100 years ago when it was painted last time or does it have something to do with nationalism? Or is it me who is just going crazy? Well the last explanation can not be rulled out! :op I appologize that i have no photo of it on the computer, but if anyone knows what i am talking about and have an idea... well feel free to answer. thanks to all for the possible answer.

Pls tell me... thank you.

Hi all - any suggestions for a reasonable clean hotel in Irkutsk where I can stay first night after arrival on train? I believe I will need a hotel that will take care of registering my visa and allow me to be on my way to Olkhon Island the next day. Thanks!

Privet! Hello! Hola Well..I am going to be in Irkutsk from the 19th of june until 9th of july and I am thinking about to write an article about Syberian shamanism and traditional beliefs in the Irkutsk area. Any sugestion or help will be wellcome Spasibo bolshoe! I heard about a shamans' meeting at Olkjon Island but I couldn't confirm if that was only for one time or it's every year

What reasonably reliable airline(s) should I contact for an Irkutsk-Beijing flight in August? Does anyone have a suggestion for an agency/website to book this? Also, I'm interested in Trans-Mongolian rail travel Beijing-Irkutsk via Ulaanbataar, where I will be stopping over for a week. Thanks

Hi there, Does anyone have any idea where to fly from China to Irkutsk? I am currently in Hong Kong and HAVE to go to Irkutsk. But the transiberian train K19 from Beijing is full until early Septembe, so I don't think it's possible to go by train. Neither is it for the transmogolian train K3 from Beijing. How about flights? Apart from Aeroflot and Siberian airlines, any local or direct flights to Irkutsk? They are either full or taking a long detour from Moscow first in order to reach Irkutsk. Any information is highly appreciated! Best Lam