Trans-Siberian Railway
Trans-Siberian Railroad, Russia
The Trans-Siberian Railway, the world’s longest train ride, is every bit the epic adventure that it is deemed to be.
Covering a distance of more than 9,000 kilometers, 9289 to be exact, between Moscow and Vladivostok, the train goes through seven time zones and some of Russia’s most isolated and breath-taking landscapes. This incredible journey of seven days covers more than one-third of the globe. However, at an average speed of 60km per hour, it is neither for those in a hurry nor for those seeking the glamour of the Orient Express.
A first class ticket on gets you your own cabin with shower and wash basin. Bear in mind that tickets are quickly sold out especially between July and September and you can only buy the tickets 45 days in advance.
Take the opportunity to visit the interesting towns along the route. If only one stop can be made, opt for Irkutsk to visit the incomparable Lake Baikal. If you are not foiled by the cold, take advantage of winter discount tickets on the Trans-Siberian Railway to visit Siberia in March after the deep freeze is over.
If possible, save a few days to visit Ulan-Ude in which Russian and minority Buryat cultures mingle or venture out to visit Russia’s largest Buddhist monastery at Ivolginsky Datsan. Plan a stop at Yekaterinburg where the last tsar and his family were murdered or pause to admire the myriad onion-domed churches at Vladimir and Sudzal.
There are also tributary services – the Trans-Manchurian into China and the Trans-Mongolian into Mongolia,. Step off at Harbin in Manchuria to enjoy its famed Ice Lantern festival or stay at a yurt in the steppes surrounding Ulan Bator.
Keep a look out too for the stations along the Trans-Siberian Railway, many of which are worth visiting on their own right. Vladivostok’ s station has been beautifully restored with finely detailed murals on its ceilings, while the station in Slyudyanka is completely made of marble.
Links
Cities & towns on the Trans-Siberian Railway
Trans-Siberia.com
