13/04: New WTR Advertiser Review
There have been a few exciting developments since the last report. Firstly, we've recently added Svezhy Veter to our list of train ticket vendors. This is perhaps the best company around for Trans-Siberian tickets and, importantly, they are one of only a couple of Russian companies that can provide Trans-Siberian tickets originating in Beijing.
Secondly, after a renovation, the Way to Russia tour page is back better than ever. Click here to see what's on offer.
Finally, in the next week we'll be listing at least four new central Moscow apartments priced at $100 or less per night. Apartments in central Moscow below the $100 barrier are incredibly rare these days and are a great option for budget travelers. In the meantime there are plenty of other options to choose from. Read on for a review of the performance of each of our current advertisers.
Train Tickets
Connect Russia is the most efficient of the three providers. Their manner can be a little abrasive occasionally, but they offer the best value and most competent service. A good choice for any route (except journeys originating in Beijing).
Express to Russia is also a very efficient company and can handle journeys originating in Irkutsk. On the downside, they are more expensive and have no online payment option. With an office in St Petersburg they are probably best used for journeys originating in that city or the Baltics.
Svezhy Veter: The latest addition to our list of train vendors, Svezhy Veter reply quickly, offer reasonable prices and can book just about any ticket you could want.
Click here to buy your train tickets now.
Moscow Hostels
Sweet Moscow staff have gone completely AWOL. Do not try to book there at the moment. Napoleon Hostel, our pick as the best hostel in Moscow, is working well but are occasionally not answering requests due to technical difficulties. Home Hostel, can also be slow to reply to requests but remains a good option, especially if you want a private room. Yellow Blue Bus is a good option if you want a quieter environment and very helpful staff. Home From Home is a slightly cheaper option, with good service and an excellent location on Arbat.
Click here to book your accommodation now.
St Petersburg B&Bs and Hostels
Sleep Cheap Hostel hasn’t been answering clients for a long time so don’t try to book with them at the moment. Stay at Apricot Hostel instead.
All the other accommodation options listed there are very reliable. Sovetskaya, SwissStar, Pio and Griboedova have long been standouts in the realm of customer service. We’re excited that the renowned Rinaldi chain of mini-hotels has just been added to our listings providing more quality accommodation options in St Petersburg.
Click here to book your accommodation now.
Apartments
City Realty (CRR): Currently they are the most efficient apartment provider that advertises on Way to Russia. They have a range of apartments in Moscow and St Petersburg.
Flat Link: A solid provider with no customer service problems, although very rarely they might forget to reply to an accommodation request.
Go To Russia: Efficient and competent but also brusque and infelxible. If you want to book one of their apartments they’ll make it very easy for you, but if you want to ask questions or think about things they won’t offer much help. You are expected to pay for the apartment within 24 hours after they tell you it’s available.
IntelService: Some orders with IntelService are going unanswered at the moment. It seems this might be a technical problem which will hopefully be resolved soon.
MCEB: Sometimes don’t answer clients, but when they do reply they are efficient.
MoscowApts: There might be a couple of days wait for a response sometimes, but they have some of the best, cheap apartments in Moscow. Unfortunately there are just two of them so availability can be a problem (listings #207 and #209).
Uncle Pasha: Well, he’s a character. Expect short, curt replies when reserving the apartment. It’s part of the Russian experience though.
Spb Travel: They have a quality range of cheap apartments in St Petersburg. They’re finally taking bookings for summer after taking an age to finalize their prices. Unfortunately, they don't accept short bookings in summer.
Windows on Nevsky: Quality company that has a good range of apartments in St Petersburg. No problems with customer service.
Click here to book an apartment now.
Secondly, after a renovation, the Way to Russia tour page is back better than ever. Click here to see what's on offer.
Finally, in the next week we'll be listing at least four new central Moscow apartments priced at $100 or less per night. Apartments in central Moscow below the $100 barrier are incredibly rare these days and are a great option for budget travelers. In the meantime there are plenty of other options to choose from. Read on for a review of the performance of each of our current advertisers.
Train Tickets
Connect Russia is the most efficient of the three providers. Their manner can be a little abrasive occasionally, but they offer the best value and most competent service. A good choice for any route (except journeys originating in Beijing).
Express to Russia is also a very efficient company and can handle journeys originating in Irkutsk. On the downside, they are more expensive and have no online payment option. With an office in St Petersburg they are probably best used for journeys originating in that city or the Baltics.
Svezhy Veter: The latest addition to our list of train vendors, Svezhy Veter reply quickly, offer reasonable prices and can book just about any ticket you could want.
Click here to buy your train tickets now.
Moscow Hostels
Sweet Moscow staff have gone completely AWOL. Do not try to book there at the moment. Napoleon Hostel, our pick as the best hostel in Moscow, is working well but are occasionally not answering requests due to technical difficulties. Home Hostel, can also be slow to reply to requests but remains a good option, especially if you want a private room. Yellow Blue Bus is a good option if you want a quieter environment and very helpful staff. Home From Home is a slightly cheaper option, with good service and an excellent location on Arbat.
Click here to book your accommodation now.
St Petersburg B&Bs and Hostels
Sleep Cheap Hostel hasn’t been answering clients for a long time so don’t try to book with them at the moment. Stay at Apricot Hostel instead.
All the other accommodation options listed there are very reliable. Sovetskaya, SwissStar, Pio and Griboedova have long been standouts in the realm of customer service. We’re excited that the renowned Rinaldi chain of mini-hotels has just been added to our listings providing more quality accommodation options in St Petersburg.
Click here to book your accommodation now.
Apartments
City Realty (CRR): Currently they are the most efficient apartment provider that advertises on Way to Russia. They have a range of apartments in Moscow and St Petersburg.
Flat Link: A solid provider with no customer service problems, although very rarely they might forget to reply to an accommodation request.
Go To Russia: Efficient and competent but also brusque and infelxible. If you want to book one of their apartments they’ll make it very easy for you, but if you want to ask questions or think about things they won’t offer much help. You are expected to pay for the apartment within 24 hours after they tell you it’s available.
IntelService: Some orders with IntelService are going unanswered at the moment. It seems this might be a technical problem which will hopefully be resolved soon.
MCEB: Sometimes don’t answer clients, but when they do reply they are efficient.
MoscowApts: There might be a couple of days wait for a response sometimes, but they have some of the best, cheap apartments in Moscow. Unfortunately there are just two of them so availability can be a problem (listings #207 and #209).
Uncle Pasha: Well, he’s a character. Expect short, curt replies when reserving the apartment. It’s part of the Russian experience though.
Spb Travel: They have a quality range of cheap apartments in St Petersburg. They’re finally taking bookings for summer after taking an age to finalize their prices. Unfortunately, they don't accept short bookings in summer.
Windows on Nevsky: Quality company that has a good range of apartments in St Petersburg. No problems with customer service.
Click here to book an apartment now.
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Nik wrote:
I for one appreciate and value your efforts here Greg.