Trans-Siberian Express






















Overland from London to Vladivostok - the ultimate rail adventure

Cross one third of the world by train on the Trans-Siberian Express, specially chartered by Great Rail Journeys.

Day 1 - By train to Hannover
We depart London Waterloo by Eurostar for Brussels on the first leg of our epic 8000-mile journey across one third of the world. Breakfast is served before our arrival in Brussels, where we change to Thalys for the journey to Cologne. We continue by ICEto Hannover for an overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza Forum Hotel (4 star).

Days 2-3- Hannover to Warsaw
We leave Hannover in the morning and travel via Berlin to the Polish capital, Warsaw. Our hotel for two nights is the Le Royal Meridien Bristol (5 star). During our stay in this elegant city we enjoy a sightseeing tour and you have free time to explore.

Day 4 - To Belarus
Our journey continues east across Poland to the Belarusian border and the town of Brest where we join the Trans-Siberian Express. Settle into your comfortable sleeper, relax in the lounge car and enjoy dinner in the restaurant as the train travels overnight via Minsk to St Petersburg at the start of this fabulous journey.

Days 5-6 - St Petersburg
We arrive in the beautiful city of St Petersburg after lunch and leave the train to visit the Hermitage, a magnificent collection of buildings housing one of the world's finest art collections. We rejoin the train for our second night on board, returning to St Petersburg the following day for an excursion to the Palace of Petrodvorets. You have a little free time to take a stroll along Nevsky Prospekt or perhaps visit St Isaac's Cathedral and climb its colonnade for magnificent views of the city. Mid-afternoon the Trans-Siberian Express leaves on its journey east.

Day 7-8 - To Yekaterinburg
After a full day relaxing on the train enjoying its comfortable facilities and the ever-changing landscape, we cross the Europe-Asia divide and arrive in Yekaterinburg, capital of the Urals. Here we visit the site where the Romanov family were murdered and the Urals Mineralogical Museum.

Day 9 - Novisibirsk
Today's stop is Novisibirsk, the capital of Siberia and the third largest city in Russia. Sightseeing includes the Opera House, Lenin Square and the red brick Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky, one of the country's finest examples of Russian Orthodox architecture.

Day 10-11 - To Irkutsk
After another leisurely day spent on the train enjoying the Siberian scenery, we arrive in Irkutsk, known as the 'Paris of Siberia'. During a sightseeing tour we see the city's opera house and some classic Siberian wooden architecture. You have some free time before we rejoin the train.

Day 12 - Lake Baikal
Today is one of the most scenic days as the train skirts Lake Baikal along tracks cut into the cliffside. We stop by the lake for a barbecue lunch (weather permitting) and a short cruise before visiting Listvyanka to see an exhibition about the area's ecology.

Day 13 - Ulan Ude
We arrive in Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic, for a full day of sightseeing. A city tour includes a visit to the colourful Buddhist temple and the Village of Old Believers.

Day 14-15 - Remote Siberia
The train follows the Shilka and Amur Rivers close to the Chinese border. This is Siberia at its most remote and the train enters an area of permafrost where vast distances and forbidding geographic conditions make this a region difficult for human existence. During our last full day on the train we reach the most easterly point of our journey, passing Khabarovsk where we cross the River Amur. As the train heads towards the Pacific and we approach the end of our journey, we enjoy a farewell dinner on board.

Day 16 - End of the line
After a 6985 mile journey, the Trans-Siberian Express arrives in Vladivostok, a military city situated on the western shore of the Sea of Japan only recently opened to western visitors. We leave the train here and transfer to the Hyundai Hotel for an overnight stay with a gala dinner.

Days 17-19 - Return to Moscow
We leave Vladivostok and fly to Moscow for a three-night stay at the Hotel Ukraine. During our stay in Moscow we enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of the major sights including the Kremlin and Red Square and you have plenty of free time to soak up the atmosphere of this historic city.

Day 20 - Moscow to London
We transfer to the airport for our flight to London Heathrow, arriving early evening.

The Trans-Siberian Express
We travel on a private train formed of modern and classic coaches, offering a standard of accommodation and catering most passengers plying the route can only dream of. As an added bonus we expect steam haulage for a small part of the journey.

Three types of sleeper are available. Included in our price is the First Class sleeper, with two lower berths that convert to daytime sofa seating. WC facilities are at either end of the vehicle, and a shower car and changing rooms are available. At a supplement is the Golden Eagle Deluxe sleeper, with en suite facilities, a TV and video/DVD and a private lounge with a bar. During 2006, new air-conditioned 'Silver Eagle' sleepers will be introduced offering upper and lower berths, a sofa and washbasin.

Meals are freshly prepared by the on board chefs and served in the elegant dining car. They are accompanied by an extensive wine list and an excellent selection of vodka. Morning coffee, drinks and nightcaps are served in the lounge and bar car, which is well stocked with books, games and magazines.