Mashkatov border - Uralsk to Samara

[edblax]

Hi folks

We made a snap decision to get some tickets to a world cup game in Samara at 4pm on the 21st, and are throwing around some options to get there from Almaty in time for the game. For a variety of reasons (possibly incl. stupidity) we're trying to leave Almaty as late as possible.

There's a train to Uralsk that leaves Almaty on the night of the 18th and arrives in Uralsk at 1.13pm on the 20th, 26 hours before kick-off. Needless to say, we have a few questions - if anyone knows the answer to any of them that would be great.

1. How late is the train likely to be?
2. When's the last bus from Uralsk to Samara?
3. When's the first bus from Uralsk to Samara?
4. Is it possible to hitchhike to/from/across the Mashkatov border?
5. Any other ideas?

Thanks

[Van_Gogh]

I cannot answer 1-3, but it is definitely possible to hitchhike to the border, there's some traffic on both sides and the border is open all day long.

It was pretty easy when we crossed like 2 weeks ago, took around 20 minutes. Please consider that Mashkatov is more like a vehicle border crossing, mainly trucks and you kinda find your way as a pedestrian.

Uralsk to border is around 1 hour, from border to Samara (or vice versa) around 3 hours.

[edblax]

Thanks! We have since learned that buses leave uralsk at 730, 930, 1600 and 1700, so we will aim for one of them with hitchhiking as a backup if the train is late.

[steven]

Please be aware that you will need a double-entry Russian visa for this train, since it crosses Russian territory between Aqtobe and Uralsk.

I believe this is not an issue with the fan ID, but do make sure. The other option would be to go until Aqtobe and take a taxi/bus there to Orsk, and from there to Samara. Or, take a taxi between Aqtobe and Uralsk.

[edblax]

We have fan IDs, which should allow for multiple entries, and we are from visa free countries for Kazakh purposes. Will update this thread if we encounter any issues.

[edblax]

Completed this trip without any issues. Train (no 49) passed through Russia without any immigration or customs and didn't make any stops in Russia. So quite a useful and hassle free (in our experience) option for anyone taking this route. Train was on time. Bus from uralsk to samara was straightforward but slow.

[steven]

My wife actually took this train 2 weeks ago (I had to take the taxi) in the other direction, and there was a check from Russian immigration. Just to add some nuance.