Trans-Siberian
The Trans-Siberian was the longest railway in the world (about 9000 km) until the inauguration of the 13,000-kilometer Yiwu – Madrid railway.
But it still remains the most famous. It has 3 branches, the original from Moscow to Vladivostok, the TransMongolia from Moscow to Benjing via Ullanbataar (Mongolia), and the other that passes through Mongolia directly to China is called trans manchuria.
All take approximately 6 days travel.
The best way to travel is to stop on the way to enjoy each place.
Trans-Siberian is a regular railroad, a vital means of transport for the people who live along it.
It is not made for tourists, so you won’t find luxury cars or suites, although one or two tourist cruise trains now operate on the Trans-Siberian from time to time.
However, all passengers are given adequate sleeping space, with all the necessary beds, convertible into a seat for daily use.
There are restrooms and toilets along the corridor and a dining car for meals.
Whichever train you take, the Trans-Siberian is a safe and comfortable way from Europe to the Far East.
The path taken by the 3 Trans-Siberian is in blue. Map provided by www.seat61.com
Stopping decision
As I was in Asia the natural start was to start in Beijing.
First stop – As I wanted to get to know Mongolia, it would be best to stop in UlaanBaatar, the capital of Mongolia. I spent 12 days walking through Mongolia.
Second stop – My goal was to visit Lake Baikal in Siberia. I could stop in Ulan-ude, but I decided to stop in Irkustk, because it distributed the distance better.
Third stop – I decided to stop in Novosibisk considered the capital of Siberia.
Fourth and final – Novosibirsk to Moscow
First half - Beijing (China) to UlaanBattar (Mongolia)
The Beijing station is very big, but I’m already an expert on the Chinese train, so I had no problem.
An important thing is to always bring food and water, because you never know what kind of food you have and they are always very expensive.
In China, nothing better than noodles, simple, cheap and tasty. All trains provide hot water so you can eat, so it is also possible to make tea or coffee.
Beijing to UlaanBaatar is 1500 km covered in 27 hours. The Chinese and Mongolian trains have a different gauge.
The train is stopped at the border for about 3 hours to do this operation.
UlaanBaatar (Mongolia) to Irkutsk (Russia-Serbia)
The UlaanBaatar station is very simple and small, it doesn’t have much to do. Travel distance is 1000 km and takes 24 hours.
The crossing of the Mongolian / Russia border is just too long.
I was informed that it would take about 3 hours, but it took almost 5, but it was quiet, I just had to stay on the train.
Irkutsk (Russia-Siberia) to Novosibirsk (Russia-Siberia)
Now everything is Russian and borderless, which makes it easier.
Each station that the train stops at has a huge amount of people selling things mainly dried fish from Lake Baikal.
As it is not possible to know the conditions of this food it is better to avoid.
Irkutsk to Novosibirsk is 1850 km made in 33 hours.
Novosibirsk (Russia-Siberia) to Moscow (Russia)
This was the longest trip ever. It was 3,360 km in 53 hours on the train.
As I am already an expert on traveling by train it was very quiet.
I was in a very comfortable cabin and I had several companions during the trip.
