Generally, the Trans-Siberian railway is a very safe way of travelling, however, there are some scams that operate that one should be aware of so as not to fall victim to them. Some of the methods used by the liars, cheats and thieves that you will hopefully not come across, are described below.
Moscow
In Moscow itself there are few, if any scams that the average tourist will encounter. However, at the train station be careful if a porter offers to help you with your luggage. This scam or rip-off, which also takes place in other parts of the world, relies on the customer not asking the price before using the service. A lady was recently helped with her luggage right up to her compartment on the train. She was then asked for 1,200 roubles (over US$40) for the service! Not bad for a few minutes work in Russia.
Crossing the Mongolian Border
A man may get on the train at Naushki, on the Russian side and make his way down the train, saying “Change money”. From the tone of his voice it may not be clear if he is asking a question or giving a command. He is smartly dressed in what looks like some sort of official uniform. However, he is not official and you should only change money with him if you have more money than sense and enjoy being ripped off!
A couple from England and Australia who recently agreed to change money, not knowing what the Mongolian tugrig to US dollar exchange rate was, exchanged US$20 to tugrig at a rate of US$1 to 200 tugrig. The actual rate should have been about US$1 for 1,200 tugrig – six times what they received! They were cheated out of over US$16 in a matter of seconds. Lucky they didn’t change any more than US$20 with him!
The Mongolian Restaurant Car
Not exactly a serious scam, but dubious selling and charging methods are employed, either through incompetence or deceit. Ask to see the menu with prices in Mongolian tugrig and check the exchange rate used if paying in another currency before ordering anything.
See also the article ‘Restaurant Cars on the Trans-Siberian Train’ for more information.
Ulaanbaatar
Be very wary of pickpockets, especially on public transport and at Naran Tuul Market (known as the Black Market). Pick pocketing is rife. One traveller recently lost three packets of cigarettes on separate occasions that she had left in her outside pockets. Luckily it wasn’t her money or passport! She thinks that this occurred while travelling on buses. Another couple reported losing their GPS device that they had foolishly left attached to the outside of their bag.
At the Black Market, thieves use razors to cut bags and pockets or a few of them may squash you from both in front and behind whilst lightening your pockets.
Local advice includes keeping your bank notes directly in your pocket rather than inside a wallet or purse that will be easier to identify and steal. Avoid taking any valuables with you to the Black Market and limit the amount of cash you have with you.
Beijing
Be careful if you are boarding the train at Beijing not to unwittingly become an international drug smuggler! Refer to article ‘Beware: The Unwitting Smuggler Trick – Trans Mongolian Railway’ for how this operates.
Be on your guard against those wanting to take you for drinks at ‘rip-off’ prices, especially if you are male. There is a very high chance (perhaps 80 or 90%) that anyone who approaches you and starts talking to you in English is involved in this scam. Refer to article ‘Scam: The Ridiculously Expensive Drinks With New ‘Friends’’ for more details.
Richard Milnes - Richard was born in London, England, but has since spent much of his life travelling the world and has visited nearly 50 ...
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