Car rental for travel around Baikal: freedom and comfort on the roads of Siberia

Who would have thought that in the vast expanses of Russia there is such an amazing place, where there is not just a lot of water, but the water is so clean that it seems as if you are looking through glass? Of course, we are talking about Baikal! This is not some unremarkable puddle near Aunt Galya's dacha. Baikal is like a majestic princely tiara, surrounded by snowy mountains and taiga forests, attracting tourists like honey attracts a bear. In general, the beauty is so breathtaking! But, let's be honest, the distance is a little scary. After all, in order to ride around all these wonderful corners, you need a reliable four-wheeled friend - your own or rented. And here is where the fun begins.

How Car Rental Can Save Your Vacation on Lake Baikal

If you want to travel “like a rich man” and without unnecessary hassle, rent a car and go conquer the vast expanses! Here, as my taxi driver friend used to say, “the main thing is not to be in excruciating pain for your bottom when you suddenly encounter a surprise on the road in the form of potholes or snowdrifts.” But don’t worry, there are good car rental companies in the region that have made this process as simple and convenient as possible. Do you feel, yes, how your soul becomes warmer at the thought that there will be no problems with transport?

Since we're talking about simplicity and convenience, it's time to point out the wonderful service
i-carrent.ru. This is a kind of "aggregator of all rentals", where they combined the best offers for car rental in the Irkutsk region and the city of Kemerovo, and also offered pleasant conditions for travelers. This is how it happens in life: you want to find a good car - you jump from one site to another, compare prices, then everything gets confused in your head ... But then you go to one portal, set up filters, and in a minute you understand what options you have. Convenient, like an autostart button in winter!

Before heading to Baikal, it is important to remember that this region is not only beautiful, but also sometimes harsh: the weather here can change in a matter of hours, and the roads are sometimes smooth as an arrow, and then suddenly become winding, like a mushroom picker's favorite path in the taiga. So renting a car allows you to take control of the entire route, stop at any place you like and not depend on the bus schedule. It is hard to argue that such a trip will give much more impressions than sitting in a smoke-filled train compartment with snacks "on the run". To show all the bonuses more clearly, catch a small list:

• Freedom of the wheel: you choose where to go and when.
• Access to secluded locations that are not included in standard tours.
• The ability to load whatever your heart desires into the trunk (well, almost anything!).
• Save time: no more adjusting to public transport.
• Comfort and coziness on the road - no one will stop you from enjoying the views and stopping whenever you want.

From Baikal with Love: What You Need to Know About the Region

Lake Baikal is sometimes called the “Siberian Sea” — and these are not empty words. The amazing depth, crystal clear water and amazing surrounding nature make everyone who has dared to come here at least once fall in love with it. It is difficult to say what exactly captivates you more: the air saturated with the aromas of the taiga, the views of the mountain ranges or the opportunity to meet rare species of animals near the shore. One thing is clear: you will return with a real baggage of vivid emotions and an impressive photo collection that you will want to show to all your friends and strangers (and even hesitant cats!).

To fully enjoy your trip, do not forget about the peculiarities of the roads in Siberia. The central highways are still more or less smooth, but if you turn into the wilderness, there will be sections where the surface leaves much to be desired. Therefore, when planning your rental, decide in advance: do you want to experience a slight "extreme" in places in a standard sedan or still prefer to ride a crossover with higher ground clearance. Choose a car class based on your own adrenaline threshold, trunk size and estimated budget. And, of course, be prepared for unpredictable plot twists - after all, travel is designed to have something to remember later over a cup of tea.

The main advantages of the i-CarRent aggregator

If you compare classic car rental and modern aggregators, it will be like comparing an old “push-button” alarm and a sophisticated GSM system - the difference is colossal. In the case of i-CarRent, the doors of a whole “proposal fair” open up before you: different brands, models, price ranges. Want an economy option? Please! Need something more powerful to storm mountain trails? You will find it too! And it is also nice that each company cooperating with the aggregator strives to maintain its brand (and the car in good condition). In the end, who wants to lose face if we are talking about serious competition?

In addition to convenient navigation on the site and the booking system, there is another "goodie": you can choose a car in advance, being far away from Lake Baikal. That is, you can sit quietly at home on the couch, it may be snowing or raining outside, and you are already preparing a route map for several hundred kilometers ahead. Idyllic, isn't it? In addition, you can study the reviews of other travelers, look at real photos of the chosen model and make sure that this is not a "suspicious bucket-mobile", but a completely worthy means of transportation for Siberian roads.

Comparative table of car classes

To figure out which car you should rent, pay attention to the key differences. Below is a simple table that (like any good reference book) clearly shows how the economy class differs from SUVs and business versions. Look carefully, choose consciously, so as not to complain later about the lack of space in the trunk or excessive fuel consumption.

Look carefully at what rental companies offer: mileage, insurance, return conditions - all these little things can play a decisive role in your trip. Sometimes it is more profitable to take the same crossover if you plan to go to the "bear corners" of Baikal than to bite your elbows later because the car skids on wet ground. Oh, and don't forget: Siberian forest roads like to present "surprises" to everyone who treats them with disdain.

Seven Steps to a Successful Road Trip

In the second part of the article, it's time to clarify practical points. To ensure your trip goes without "force majeure" and with a minimum of stress, here's a short (but very useful!) list:

1. Book a car in advance, especially during the season when there are plenty of people willing to rent.
2. Check the full package of documents required for rent (passport, driver's license, sometimes a bank card).
3. Before leaving, inspect the car and take photos of all controversial points: chips, scratches, fuel level.
4. Check what insurance is included and if there are any hidden conditions or mileage restrictions.
5. Plan your route taking into account gas stations, shops and places to eat.
6. Keep an eye on the weather, especially if you are planning trips to remote areas - Siberian nature is unpredictable.
7. Write down the rental company's technical support phone number so you don't have to rack your brain if something happens.

And finally, I would like to say: Baikal is a place that is not limited to looking at beautiful pictures on the Internet. This huge expanse of water, surrounded by majestic forests and taiga, deserves to be seen with your own eyes, and not through other people's photo reports. And if you take care of the right choice of car, the trip will become even more exciting. Imagine how in the evening you return to a cozy house on the shore, feeling pleasantly tired and flushed from the Siberian breeze. In the trunk - souvenirs and gifts, in the soul - many new stories and impressions, and a whole life ahead, in which there will always be time for new trips. So, feel free to book a car through a convenient aggregator and hit the road. Let your acquaintance with Baikal become an unforgettable adventure!