Loco

Taking the train across Russia is a challenging and inspiring way to get from the mighty and powerful West to the, um… mighty and powerful East! At its quickest, it’s possible to get from London to Beijing in ten days flat, hurtling through Siberia and Mongolia like a traveller possessed. At it’s slowest, it’s several intriguing months that you’ll never forget…

From the consumption-driven bustle of the streets of London, to the vast expanses of the Mongolian desert, the shifts in landscape and social structures are nothing short of extraordinary. Not only will you get to cross the imaginary line between Europe and Asia, but you’ll whiz through time trapped Russian towns, pass Lake Baikal, perhaps stop over in Moscow, or St. Petersburg, and make friends with people from diverse cultural backgrounds on the train itself.

Getting to Russia

There are lots of options for getting the train through Europe to Russia, with the main routes into the country going via Helsinki to St. Petersburg, or into Moscow via Belarus (you’ll need a transit visa). Both of these cities have all sorts to offer and are worth a few days stay in their own right.

You can also get a bus into the country via one of the Baltic States (Lativa or Estonia) which is often much cheaper. For instance, the bus from Tallinn to St. Peters (available from Eurolines) will set you back a mere €25 and takes less than five hours, passing through some glorious Estonian countryside en route. Be sure to sort out your Russian visa prior to travelling. For some information about the process read Kate’s blog about applying for a visa.

To Irkutsk, and beyond!

Once you’re in Russia it’s time to soak up the enigmatic charm of the fascinating country and prepare to cross thousands of miles of continent. The Trans-Siberian line runs from St. Petersburg in the North down through Moscow and then East into vast swathes of Siberian pine forest. For more itinerary ideas we recommend Bryn Thomas’ Trans-Siberian Handbook which provides  detailed descriptions of the towns you pass through and even points out interesting things to see out of the windows.

Booking

There are various ways to book this epic journey, and how you do so depends on your timetable and budget. There are a number of companies which offer pre-booked passage and fixed itineraries (with a hefty price tag) including Vodkatrain. These may appeal to first time and solo travellers as you’re sure to be in a cabin with other like-minded people. However, some people think that this approach takes away the excitement of the adventure. After all, the Mongolian or Russian in your cabin may just be the friend you haven’t met yet. We’ll leave it up to you.

Alternatively, you can buy your tickets at the station in Moscow or St. Petersberg. We recommend booking a week in advance where possible, and making sure to ask a friendly Russian to help you write down exactly what you want to buy. Hostel workers are used to this sort of question and will happily assist you in writing you a note in Cyrillic that includes details about the sort of berth you require, date of travel and destination.

On the blog

Read about Emily and Verity’s Trans-Siberian trip here, and check back soon for Kate’s low down on her return journey. Coming soon we’ll be featuring a full account of Trans-Siberian trips, including video footage and full photo galleries.

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