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4 Best Aftermarket Tour Packs for Harley Davidson Motorcycles

Feb 7, 2024

Harley Davidson is renowned for manufacturing stylish power cruisers and for pioneering the Grand American Bagger segment. The high-powered Milwaukee-Eight engines installed in all of Harley Davidson’s iconic motorcycles are popular for their higher power outputs and ample torque production, making long-distance rides highly enjoyable. Consequently, it is not uncommon to see Harley owners use their Dyna, Softail, and Sportster motorcycles for touring. However, to make these urban utility motorcycles ready for highway travel, some modifications or the addition of aftermarket parts are indispensable.

The most common accessories that Harley Davidson motorcycle riders use to transform their street motorcycles and cruisers into comfortable touring machines include heated grips, heated seats, luggage racks, and Harley Davidson luggage bags. On the other hand, the owners of Harley touring motorcycles tend to install aftermarket Harley seats , luggage bags, and luggage racks for customization and personalization.

Therefore, whether a Harley enthusiast owns a Harley street bike, touring motorcycle, or any cruiser of the three most sought-after lineups — Harley Dyna , Softail, and Sportster — they are no strangers to aftermarket or OEM Harley parts, especially luggage. With a wide variety of Harley motorcycle luggage options available on the market, choosing a luggage bag that best fits all of the rider’s needs is quite a struggle. But as the world of motorcycles and the motorcycle luggage system has evolved, a significant increase in the demand for tour packs has been observed, especially by Harley Davidson owners.

The primary reason behind the consistent increase in the demand for the Harley Davidson motorcycle tour packs is their dynamic versatility and ability to offer a one-in-all solution. Similar to Harley saddlebags , the Harley Davidson tour packs juggle diverse and challenging roles, adapting quickly to the most-trying conditions and enduring without any signs of wear or damage. Initially, only OEM Harley tour packs were considered adept at grappling the tough road conditions riders encounter daily. Aftermarket luggage owners complained about mounting bolts coming loose due to vibration, incorrect fitment, subpar finish, and overall a disappointing performance. However, this eventually changed when more dedicated brands, like Viking Bags, entered the industry and helped establish customers’ faith in the aftermarket Harley products.

The efforts to win customer support helped aftermarket luggage bags grab a substantial market share giving tough competition to the OEM products on one hand and posing a difficult choice before the customers on the other. Eventually, aftermarket Harley motorcycle luggage manufacturers created their own space by introducing a wide scope of customization and creativity. The freedom of creative expression offered by the aftermarket luggage bags resonated with the freedom-loving nature of the Harley owners. Therefore, by offering the same quality at a less price, aftermarket tour packs for Harley manifested as a whole new movement, quickly gaining customers’ trust and favor. If you too are looking for superior-quality Harley tour packs that won’t dent your bank, this article brings you some premium options and useful tips to help you select a Harley tour pack that best suits your budget and storage needs.

Also Read: All You Need to Know About Harley Davidson Touring Luggage Bags

Table of Content

1. what is a harley davidson tour pack and its function.

Harley Davidson tour packs, also called Harley motorcycle trunks , were first introduced by Harley in its Electra Glide family under the 2014 Project Rushmore. The tour packs were introduced to augment the already large storage capacity of the motorcycle hence encouraging riders to use their bikes for comfortable cross-country trips. These new tour packs were designed to store a week’s worth of clothing, a full helmet, camping gear, motorcycle rain covers, and other similar large-sized essentials. Moreover, these tour packs included different amenities, such as an audio system for entertainment, a USB charging port, a communication system, and LED lighting to help riders easily locate their belongings inside the tour pack.

On the other hand, motorcycle trunks were introduced for riders who only needed a large and sturdy luggage compartment without additional internal amenities. However, much like the tour pack, Harley motorcycle trunks often include attached passenger backrests to enhance pillion comfort over extended journeys. The convenience of packing and anti-theft mechanisms made tour packs a must-have for almost all Harley owners.

2. Appeal of Aftermarket Tour Packs for Harley Davidson Motorcycles

As mentioned, Harley Davidson itself introduced stock and optional OEM tour packs for its touring motorcycles, but eventually, aftermarket tour packs emerged in the market as the demand grew exponentially and it became difficult for the American motorcycle manufacturer to meet the individual preferences of a wide range of riders. Aftermarket tour packs for Harley Davidson motorcycles are just as popular as OEM tour packs, if not more, for the following reasons:

2.1 Customization

Aftermarket tour packs for Harley motorcycles provide the easiest, and, at times, the most pocket-friendly entrance into the realm of Harley motorcycle customization. Different sizes, finishes, shapes, and colors, each piece is designed to tell a unique story of a Harley rider, plus it offers the freedom the American motorcycle brand symbolizes and stands for. As opposed to the uniform effect that the OEM Harley parts, the aftermarket Harley tour packs augment the bike’s alluring charm, helping it create a commanding road presence. However, the trick to reaping all the benefits of aftermarket tour packs is to find a well-reputed brand that has the expertise in the design and functionality of the Harley tour packs.

2.2 Affordability and Generous Discounts

Compared to OEM options, the aftermarket Harley tour packs are available at much more affordable prices, allowing riders not to compromise on quality even on a tight budget. The generous discounts offered by the aftermarket Harley luggage brands help keep the tour packs within reach of a wide range of riders, helping them enjoy seamless storage convenience for adventurous motorcycle escapades.

2.3 Warranty

A trustworthy aftermarket Harley luggage bag brand will offer at least a one-year warranty on all its products. Though it may seem like a privilege, manufacturer warranty is the purchaser’s right and must be prioritized as they are a testament to brand’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. Plus, they cover all the defects and lapses in the material construction at the expense of the manufacturer, offering you peace of mind and optimal cost performance/ value for the money.

2.4 Superior Craftsmanship

Most aftermarket Harley luggage bag brands start at grassroots levels and mainly consist of a team of Harley motorcycle touring enthusiasts who live for customization. Therefore, these brands are well-aware of the needs and requirements of customers and what they face out on the road. Consequently, most popular aftermarket Harley luggage bag experts are highly adept at engineering luggage systems that can withstand all the challenges a rider might face on the open road. Hence, superior craftsmanship is something aftermarket Harley luggage bags take pride in even more so than the OEM luggage manufacturer.

2.5 Functionalities and Amenities

Aftermarket tour packs for Harley Davidson motorcycles come with different amenities, such as a passenger backrest, free mounting hardware, a key-lockable system for theft protection, an internal organizer, a hi-viz mat, speakers, and a built-in USB port. While OEM tour packs also feature these enhanced functionalities, the price point at which they are offered compels Harley owners to opt for cost-effective, yet standardized aftermarket Harley tour packs.

3. Tips to Choose the Best Aftermarket Tour Packs for Harley Davidson

A Harley Davidson tour pack is a significant investment and requires certain considerations. Whether you are buying a new tour pack for your Harley street bike or cruiser, or looking for a worthy replacement for the stock tour pack on your Harley touring bike, you must deliberate over the following aspects before placing your purchase order.

3.1 Your Riding Needs

Each rider has a different riding style and needs as not all riders enjoy traveling 300+ miles on a two-wheeler. However, they may still require a large storage bag for their motorcycle camping trips, shopping excursions, and commutes. Simply carrying a motorcycle helmet may also require you to equip your bike with a large tour pack that can easily accommodate a full-sized helmet. Therefore, when choosing a tour pack for your Harley motorcycle, determine how much storage you need. Carefully check the dimensions of the tour pack as the height or depth of the tour pack is crucial to its storage capacity, and in case you are purchasing online, contact the brand’s customer service providers to ensure that the piece you are choosing is designed for that purpose.

3.2 Motorcycle Compatibility

Aftermarket Harley motorcycle tour packs are also popular for their universal fitment. But, should you click the ‘buy now’ button immediately if the fitment note says, ‘fits all Harley motorcycles’ Motorcycle compatibility goes beyond installation mechanisms, as the tour pack you are purchasing may exceed your bike’s weight limit, increase the width of the bike’s rear, and disagrees with the bike’s color scheme or finish. Therefore, when choosing a tour pack for your Harley Davidson motorcycle, make sure it aligns with the overall personality and DNA of the bike. While some contrast can be introduced in the bike’s styling, it shouldn’t result in a striking disparity. Also, never ignore the fitment note of the Harley tour pack because if your motorcycle model is not included, don’t try to force-fit the product. It will not only cause unnecessary wastage of money but also damage the tour pack and your motorcycle.

3.3 Ease of Installation

There will be moments when you would want to ride your Harley motorcycle without any additional weight and accessories. In such scenarios, ease of installation and removal play a key role. Also, it is advisable to opt for tour packs that come with mounting hardware so you don’t have to spend hours in the hardware store, trying to find the right-sized mounting bolts to install the tour pack.

3.4 Care and Maintenance Requirements

If your bike is equipped with a tour pack, it will tempt you to travel long distances every once in a while. Long-distance travels tend to expose the tour packs to harmful elements that fade the finish and impact its overall appearance. But in our busy schedules, sparing time to thoroughly clean the tour pack can be quite a struggle. Consequently, we end up neglecting Harley tour pack maintenance, exacerbating its deterioration. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a tour pack that is easy to clean and maintain using a clean damp cloth and protective sprays.

4. 4 Best Aftermarket Tour Packs for Harley Davidson Motorcycles

To help you find the best Harley Davidson tour pack, Viking Bags has shortlisted some of its best products that offer quality craftsmanship, increased functionality, improved aesthetics, and adaptive versatility.

4.1 Premium Motorcycle Tour Pack for Harley Touring Bikes

The Viking Premium motorcycle tour pack for Harley Davidson touring motorcycles offers an innovative luggage solution to hardcore on-road touring enthusiasts. This extra-large tour pack for Harley touring bikes is crafted from commercial-grade fiberglass that is rigorously tested for sturdiness, durability, and longevity. Plus, it boasts a luxurious gloss-black finish that demands attention. This weather-resistant premium-quality Harley tour pack by Viking Bags offers a highly impressive 70 L/ 4,290 cu in storage capacity, allowing riders to carry all of their essentials in an organized and convenient manner. Mounted securely on the rear of the Harley Davidson touring motorcycles, it comes pre-assembled and includes all the required mounting hardware for hassle-free installation.

In addition to the free mounting hardware, the Viking Premium extra-large tour pack comes with an internal organizer and hi-viz mat for increased visibility and ease of access. With your luggage safely packed in this tour pack for Harley baggers, you won’t have to rummage through things to locate different items. The built-in key-lockable mechanism offers reliable theft protection, while the rubber seals and a tightly secured fiberglass lid prevent moisture from seeping in, keeping your luggage dry and safe inside.

For quality assurance and customer satisfaction, the Viking premium hard tour pack for Harley touring motorcycles comes with a one-year warranty and is compatible with 2014 onward models of the Harley Road King , the Electra Glide, the Street Glide , and the Road Glide . Priced at $599.99, this color-matched Harley tour pack does not include a luggage rack or passenger backrest. If you have any specific storage or product-related queries, such as the product’s capacity to fit a helmet, make sure you contact customer service for a seamless purchase experience.

4.2 Voyage Chopped Tour Pack for Harley Touring

The Viking Voyage Chopped motorcycle tour pack for Harley Davidson touring motorcycles is another great option for riders looking for a chopped tour pack with decreased vertical elevation. Compared to the 13.5” height of the 70 L Viking Premium tour pack, the Voyage chopped tour pack features a height of 10.75”. However, other dimensions are similar, including the lid opening.

This extra-large fiberglass tour pack for Harley Davidson baggers features a high-end gloss black finish that is color-matched and complements the bike’s original styling. Offering an impressive storage capacity of 54 L/ 3,285 cu in, the Voyage chopped tour pack can be used for cross-country trips when combined with other Viking Harley luggage bags . When using solo, the tour pack offers a comprehensive luggage solution for short trips, highway travels, motorcycle camping trips, errand expeditions, and work commutes.

Featuring an internal organizer and a hi-viz mat, the Voyage Chopped Harley tour pack is all about ease of packing, organizing, and accessing luggage. Furthermore, to make the installation process simple and quick, mounting hardware is provided with this pre-assembled product. Its hard-shelled body, key-lockable system, and built-in weather resistance make it an ideal tour pack, offering reliable security to your belongings from unauthorized breaches and damaging natural elements. Available at a highly affordable price of $499.99, the Voyage Chopped motorcycle tour pack for Harley touring motorcycles comes with a one-year warranty. Though our products are well-known for their excellent craftsmanship and impeccable finish; however, if you find a lapse in the material construction, the warranty-covered product will offer you the peace of mind and value for the money you avidly seek.

Much like the Viking Premium extra-large tour pack, the Voyage Chopped extra-large tour pack is compatible with 2014 onwards Harley touring models, including Electra Glide, Street Glide, Road Glide, and Road King.

4.3 Premium Leather Wrapped Motorcycle Trunk for Harley Davidson

The Viking Premium motorcycle trunk for Harley Davidson motorcycles is a must-have luggage accessory, with its unique leather-wrapped design, robust fiberglass construction, and color-matched black finish. Offering an impressive storage capacity of 36L/ 2,196.9 cu in, the premium leather-wrapped Harley motorcycle trunk is compatible with all Harley motorcycles, including street bikes, baggers, Dyan, Sportster, and Harley Softail models. The extensive Harley model compatibility, makes the Viking premium extra-large motorcycle tour pack a best-seller.

Highly versatile and practical, the black leather-wrapped motorcycle trunk for Harley is large enough to carry all your essentials while being lightweight and compact, ensuring a streamlined look of the bike for agile handling. Large tour packs sometimes make slow-speed maneuvers difficult due to the significant weight added on the rear, but this Viking Harley motorcycle trunk helps preserve most of the bike’s original stability and handling.

Priced at $399.99, the premium leather-wrapped motorcycle tour pack for Harley features an attached backrest for passenger comfort, ensures reliable waterproofing, and boasts an innovative key-lockable system. When compared to other tour packs for Harley on the market, these features make the Viking tour packs stand out. The included free mounting hardware further enhances the attractiveness of this product.

4.4 Challenger Leather Wrapped Motorcycle Trunk for Harley Davidson

The Challenger motorcycle trunk for Harley Davidson motorcycles is another highly attractive and practical piece of motorcycle luggage in the Viking Bags collection. Compatible with all Harley Davidson models, the Challenger can certainly bring out the touring-friendly attributes of your motorcycle.

Offering a storage capacity of 32 L/ 1,952.8 cu in, this large Harley tour pack allows you to carry all your belongings for daily commutes, gym visits, short trips, adventurous motorcycle camping trips, and when combined with other Viking Harley luggage, the same can also be used for cross-country trips and highway travels.

This pre-assembled leather-wrapped motorcycle trunk is crafted from industrial-standard fiberglass, ensuring longevity, weather resistance, and prolonged rough use without deformation. For enhanced comfort and utility, the Challenger tour pack for Harley motorcycles comes with free mounting hardware and a passenger backrest, allowing you to save money on pillion comfort and the installation process.

The key-lockable system is another unique and valuable feature of the Challenger motorcycle tour pack for Harley motorcycles, as it enhances security, creates a strong seal against moisture seepage, and offers peace of mind when the rider has to leave the motorcycle and luggage unattended to take necessary breaks en route.

5. Last Words

Harley Davidson motorcycle tour packs are excellent luggage solutions, offering outstanding utility and remarkable functionality. With aftermarket Harley tour packs mounted on your Softail, Dyna, Sportster, Harley street bike, or Harley bagger, you can enjoy long-distance rides or some adventure on two wheels. Even if you have to participate in a motorcycle event like a rally or a festival, these tour packs will help you carry all the things you would need en route to reach your destination in comfort.

When choosing a Harley tour pack, make sure you consider its material construction, key-lockable mechanism, weather resistance, finish, and compatibility with your Harley motorcycle. Being the leading Harley motorcycle luggage bag, Viking Bags offers the best Harley tour packs currently available on the market. If you follow the tips mentioned in this article and pay attention to all the features of the best-selling high-quality products listed in this article, you will end up buying an ideal tour pack for Harley Davidson motorcycles that will easily last you for many years to come.

Also Read: How to Remove and Disassemble Harley Davidson Tour Packs for Painting Explore the Top Harley Davidson Baggers for 2023

Related Readings

All You Need to Know About Harley Davidson Touring Luggage Bags

How to Remove and Disassemble the Harley Davidson Tour Pack for Painting

Motorcycle Saddlebags vs Motorcycle Trunks - A Comprehensive Comparison

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• Harley-Davidson Dyna

Tour Pack on Street Bob OMG! = Tour Bob

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i know what your saying is omg.a TOURPACK on a STREETBOB.well just want to say, i love dynas and i love to travel.i have made this mods for vacations.takes me about 3 minutes to install and take off.so when iam in the city,i can strip it down to a street rod or saddle it up for the long haul.every one asks me why i just didnt buy a tour bike.i tell them one thing.i live in the city and i like a street rod for city riding.and i didnt have to pay $20,000 plus dollars for a tour bike.this mod costed me, OMG $150.00 TOTAL . and now,i have a tour bike.and i have a street rod,all in one.so here it is stripped down for the city and saddle up for the vacation.my wife love's the extra added back rest to.and you can strap roll bags on top of the saddle bags to for even more storage space,and they will act like armrests for the oldlady to kick back and relax and enjoy the ride.the tour pack costed me 110.00 new on ebay from www.mutazu.com.the tour pack is awesome for the money and is the same cubic inch space as the harley tourpack,that costs $600-1500.the guy who sells them paints them in 4 diffrent oem harley colors.dont remeber the colors.mine is vivid black.i threw on the harley medillion.and going to install a led strip lighting bar on the bottom for more lighting for the highways.if you like to travel,its a easy way to store your stuff.well,hope u all enjoy it.here is the streetrod. email me or P.M. me or click link below,if your interested in the mounting bracket .kits will also fit all yrs. sportsters,softail,and dyna's(except 07 softail customs) tourpak mounting kit info >>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=004&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=140100265294&rd=1,1  

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NICE! Seems to me most folks forget that it doesn't have to have the almighty "HD" logo on it to fullfill a need. Lots of times it holds you back on options. RR  

RoadRocket said: NICE! Seems to me most folks forget that it doesn't have to have the almighty "HD" logo on it to fullfill a need. Lots of times it holds you back on options. RR Click to expand...

I have a friend that got an old flh, put in a S&S Evo engine, then that tourpak and some aftermarket hardbags, that are bigger than HD's. He added a removable windshiend. He has a bagger that has an attitude, and it did not cost an arm and a leg.  

thats what i do, is strip it down to my attidude bike in the city. then when iam touring, i attach everything in about 10 minutes and iam ready for the highway  

I like what you've done!!! I realize weight up top like that sucks, but how big is it & what kind of weight limit does it have? I'm like you, I strip the bike down at home, but load her up for trips...  

That looks great and ya gotta love the cost! Well done.:woohoo: :whisper: You might want to go back to your original post and separate the website address from the "the" in the sentence. It messes up the linkability to the site. Others may want to do the same as you.:cheers:  

it's a slippery slope............... Yeah, that's how we all started. Next bike, touring. :yes:  

1969K10 said: I like what you've done!!! I realize weight up top like that sucks, but how big is it & what kind of weight limit does it have? I'm like you, I strip the bike down at home, but load her up for trips... Click to expand...

98RKC said: That looks great and ya gotta love the cost! Well done.:woohoo: :whisper: You might want to go back to your original post and separate the website address from the "the" in the sentence. It messes up the linkability to the site. Others may want to do the same as you.:cheers: Click to expand...

Nice job there. My L.A. buddies bought a non HD tour pack off e-bay then custom painted it to match my bike etc. I had to fab the solo bracket to get around my Corbin Classic Solo seat but it all worked out. I leave it off around town but can't wait to pack it up next month and head to AZ on vacation. We all had to think outside the box and I for one can't afford to go buy every gadget and detachable option offered by the MOCO. A little independent thinking and I've got a great set up for WAY less than what the MOCO would have offered me. Fab work from the local welder $30, three hours in the garage making it all come together, no charge. riding down the road with a tour pack that totally matches my bike and all my best buds chipped in on to paint and put together for my 50th birthday...priceless!  

Ride said: Nice job there. My L.A. buddies bought a non HD tour pack off e-bay then custom painted it to match my bike etc. I had to fab the solo bracket to get around my Corbin Classic Solo seat but it all worked out. I leave it off around town but can't wait to pack it up next month and head to AZ on vacation. We all had to think outside the box and I for one can't afford to go buy every gadget and detachable option offered by the MOCO. A little independent thinking and I've got a great set up for WAY less than what the MOCO would have offered me. Fab work from the local welder $30, three hours in the garage making it all come together, no charge. riding down the road with a tour pack that totally matches my bike and all my best buds chipped in on to paint and put together for my 50th birthday...priceless! Click to expand...

Great minds think along similar lines... Here's the same tour pack on my Super Glide. I used u-bolts to mount it to a Widder rack and connected a stabilizing bracket to the fender strut. With the Mustang solo seat I could mount it lower and farther forward.  

FXD-Tim said: Great minds think along similar lines... Here's the same tour pack on my Super Glide. I used u-bolts to mount it to a Widder rack and connected a stabilizing bracket to the fender strut. With the Mustang solo seat I could mount it lower and farther forward. Click to expand...

I like it but I wonder if it has as much storage capacity as my T-Bag.  

sthorp said: I like it but I wonder if it has as much storage capacity as my T-Bag. Click to expand...

Looks great and is exactly what I'm looking to do to my 2011 FXDB. Sorry if this question was already asked... Can you still ride 2-up? It's hard to see if the passenger seat is available or not. I currently have the single piece sissy bar and ride with my wife. Want a tourpak to store our helmets during stops. Thanks!  

Love my Tour pack OP, Looks like we got the same tour pack from Ebay. We love to take off for the weekend and the tour pack makes a huge difference. On my WG I had to fab my own bracket but it was well worth the time and effort. I am going to paint it to match the bike after I put on the new rear fender this winter.  

I'm not a tour pak fan, but looks good man. Good job, it's what ever gets the job done to make the trip.  

Nothing like bringing back a thread from the dead. But, Jackyl, do you still do these brackets? 2011 Fat Bob, and would really like to add this tour pack to it. I don't know what mounts to start with. Would like to be able to ride two up with it on. Thanks. If you don't do these anymore, maybe an idea of mounts to use and tourpack to use, I can maybe fab something up. Thanks!  

Well, since he hasn't been on here in 13 yrs and just hung around long enough to peddle his bracket, I don't think he cares.  

Alan, Thanks for that. I didn't look to see if he was still a current member, but I should have. Oh well, I guess it was worth a try. Guessing these models aren't that popular anymore. Billy  

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Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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