The Trans Siberian Railway

The Journey

Surely one of the most famous of all train journeys is this one that starts in Moscow and rattles eastwards for seven days towards Beijing. However, contrary to popular belief there’s not one ‘Trans Siberian Express’ train, rather a number of east-bound routes originating from Russia’s capital.

What’s more, far from being a tourist railway line, the Trans-Siberian Railway is a key part of the enormous Russian railway system and is responsible for carrying freight and passengers daily.

The most popular route for travellers is the Moscow to Beijing but there are others that might appeal to those travellers looking for more hardy adventures.

Moscow – Vladivostok

This seven day journey between Moscow and the port city of Vladivostok on the border with China and North Korea, takes you through seven days of Siberian countryside. At 9,258km long, it’s not officially the longest train journey in the world but it definitely comes pretty close.

The ‘Rossiya’ (‘Russia’) train leaves every second day from Moscow on its seven day journey but unlike the Moscow to Beijing train, few travellers make the complete journey. In fact, very few westerners make this journey at all and for the most part your travelling companions will be locals hopping on and off at various points along the way.

Accommodation on the Russian train comes in three shapes and sizes with the 1st class 2-bunk compartments (called spalny wagon or ‘SV’) being your top end choice. These are spotlessly clean and even come with air con. Next are the 2nd class 4-bunk compartments that are equally comfortable and then you have the open plan dormitory cars which are as basic as they sound.

The restaurant car dishes up inexpensive Russian meals and each sleeping-car has at least two toilets and a washroom with sinks that are kept to varying degrees of cleanliness by the carriage attendants. If you’re lucky, you might find a shower on board the Rossiya but it’s not guaranteed. If you do find one, be prepared to pay a small fee.

Moscow – Beijing

Although the main Trans-Siberian line runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, most western travellers head to China via one of two lines; the Trans-Mongolian line or the Trans-Manchurian line. Direct trains from Moscow to Beijing depart twice a week; one via Mongolia and one via Manchuria.

Moscow – Beijing via MONGOLIA

By far the most popular of the Trans-Siberian routes is this 7,621km journey that crosses Siberia, cuts across Mongolia and the Gobi desert and then enters China. The shifting landscapes, people and cultures is simply spectacular and provide more than enough entertainment to keep you occupied for the six day journey.

A lot of westerners travel this route but you’ll also meet Russians, Chinese, Poles and Mongolians on board, many of whom are also making the whole trip. The good-time, convivial atmosphere is definitely one of the highlights of the journey.

You’ll spend the first three days of this journey staring at the vast Siberian wilderness as you pass from Europe into Asia. On day four you’ll pass the stunning Lake Baikal, the deepest fresh water lake in the world and on day five you’ll wake up to the grassy steppe of the Mongolian plains and then the desolate golden dunes of the Gobi Desert. You arrive at the Chinese frontier around midnight on day five and for then pass through the mountainous region north of Beijing before you hit the capital.

The weekly Trans-Mongolian train leaves Moscow for Beijing every Tuesday night. It’s a Chinese train and offers sparkling 1st class deluxe 2-berth compartments (with shared shower). If you can spare the extra cash book one of these as they offer two beds, an armchair and a private washroom with showerhead shared with the next door compartment. There is also the 1st class 4-berth compartments and 2nd class 4-berth compartments although there is little to distinguish the two. A Russian restaurant car is attached to the train for the first four days, a Mongolian restaurant car is available on day five and then a Chinese restaurant car is attached on day 6.

Moscow – Beijing via MANCHURIA

The weekly Trans-Manchurian train (the ‘Vostok’) leaves Moscow on Friday nights for Beijing via Manchuria. The journey covers 8,986km and takes just over six days. There are 2-berth 1st class compartments (spalny vagon) and 4-berth 2nd class compartments (kupé). Of the three routes, this is certainly the road less travelled and as such holds a certain appeal to those keen to get off the beaten track.

The Trans-Manchurian line follows the same route as the Trans-Mongolian line as far as Tarskaya, about 1000km east of Lake Baikal. From here, the Trans-Manchurian heads southeast into China via Harbin, famous for its annual International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. The line continues through China’s northeastern provinces, a medley of heavy industry, mountain ranges and vast plains.

Sleeping Options

There are several options here but by far the best (and most indulgent) is the sleeper-car. Not only are all your meals included, you can expect morning tea (or coffee) when you wake up, a complimentary shoe shine service and free newspapers. What’s more, your bed gets made up for the night by the sleeper attendant and hot showers are available – either at the end of the corridor if you’re travelling in a roomette, or en suite if you are travelling in a bedroom.

A reclining chair is the only other option and while it’s comfortable, don’t expect a chocolate on your pillow at night. That said, these tend to be great value for money and given that the journey is only 30 hours long, perfectly comfortable.

Prices

All prices are per person for bed only, meals are not included

Moscow – Beijing via Mongolia: Six days

• 1st CLASS 4 BERTH: From US$600
• 1st CLASS 2 BERTH: From US$750
• 2nd CLASS 4 BERTH: From US$500

Moscow – Beijing via Manchuria: Six days

• 1st CLASS 2 BERTH: From US$750
• 2nd CLASS 4 BERTH: From US$500

Moscow – Vladivostok: Seven days

• 1ST CLASS 2 BERTH: From US$1100
• 2nd CLASS 4 BERTH: From US$700

Children

Get the nippers travelling from a young age, not least because for the most part children under 4 go free!

In Russia, children under the age of 5 sharing a berth with an adult go free. Children aged 5 – 10 travel for half the adult fare.

On the Trans-Manchurian and Trans-Mongolian international trains, children under 4 go free if they share a berth, children aged 4 -11 (inclusive) travel at 75% of the adult fare.

Within China, children under 110cm tall travel for free, kids between 110-140cm tall travel for half fare and those over 140cm pay full fare. So lucky you with small children!