Trans-Siberian Journey | Riding the Iconic Rail

Conrad Birch

The Trans-Siberian Railway famously spans one of the world’s most iconic journeys, offering the opportunity for a rich cultural awakening. On the 5,000 mile stretch from Moscow to Beijing, Conrad Birch discovers exactly what it means to take this seven-day adventure through some of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Courtesy of Roarr Rallies

Day One – boarding the 21.35 train from Moscow:

I began my Trans-Siberian journey armed with War and Peace, believing 1200 pages to be doubtless manageable in seven solitary days on a train. How wrong a person can be: I managed less than 100 pages of the great tome, having spent seven days and six nights laughing, drinking vodka and engaging in sparkling conversation with my fellow travellers.
In addition to the sheer romance of train travel – reason enough to embark on the journey – the Trans-Siberian railway did seem a novel way of reaching Australia. Having flown to Sydney more times than I care to remember, I am only too aware of the limitations of flying. As Calvino wrote, ‘to fly is the opposite of traveling: you cross a gap in space, you vanish into a void, you accept not being in any place for a duration that in itself is a kind of void in time; then you reappear, in a place and in a moment with no relationship to where and when in which you vanished’.
I was concerned however, that I had swapped a relatively swift day’s travel on an innocuous metal tube – flying with countless films at my fingertips – for a much longer period of seven days inside yet another, much slower, metal tube. It was the element of the unknown that worried me and for this reason alone, I decided to board the train and conquer the fear.
This fear had all but dissipated before the train had started heading east from Moscow’s frozen Yaroslavaskig station. The excitement of intimately engaging with each of the stages in the journey immediately banished concerns – the snow on the Urals lay in wait.

Courtesy of Roarr Rallies

I booked 2nd class tickets on the Trans-Siberian railway expressly to engage with like-minded travellers and share experiences. The train soon filled up with not just Russian, Chinese and Mongolian passengers but also Dutch, Swiss, German, Swedish and Finnish individuals – an undeniably delightful, eccentric mix of solo travellers. When fate throws a group of people together on a train – where, in all probability, they must remain for a structured period of time – it would seem that the train itself was the eccentric element, with us travellers merely actors in her play.
The night on which we left Moscow was freezing, with only layers of blanket available to keep us warm. When the crew witnessed our shivers, the coal was promptly stoked until the carriage resembled a sauna and very soon our previously treasured blankets lay scattered on the floor.
By Beijing, our group was to become more than merely traveling companions. Indeed, by the end of the journey we had become firm friends, sharing not only vodka but laugher, stories and song. Cocooned together, we shared everything with an unbridled and socially uncharacteristic delight, due, in part, to being each other’s only point of contact for a week, across a 5,000 mile stretch all the way from Moscow to Beijing.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Courtesy of Roarr Rallies

Day Two – 00.30

Stopped at Valdimai station for 23 minutes to collect coal, water and vodka.

Day Three – 9.34

Stopped at Kirov Pass station for 15 min.
I did not begin this journey with hopes of overt luxury and this train certainly does not indulge creature comforts: no showers, intermittent heating, a hard mattress and little food make for decidedly rustic charm. In lieu of mobiles and internet connection however, we had vodka on tap, riotous conversation and a distinct lack of sleep. This was getting back to basics in the very best possible way – somewhat like appearing in Wes Anderson’s longest running film.

Courtesy of Roarr Rallies

22.36

Stopped at Tayga station for 2 minutes.
Between non-descript towns lay vast portions of unbroken, bleak landscape dotted with skinny-looking birch trees – distinguishable only by their varying heights.
The dining carriage – changing at every border – provided us with a different setting for cards, affording a scenic spot for enjoying games of backgammon long into the night. The kitsch Russian dining carriage would not have looked out of place in a 1970s adult film, complete with dazzling, glitzy lights and faux-glamour. By Day 5 we had softened the dour demeanours of the waiting staff by sharing our vodka and encouraging the odd smile – after all, who can resist the buoyant moods of happy travellers? By the time we reached Mongolia the décor of the dining carriage had been paired down considerably and the food markedly improved, whilst the dining carriage in China offered free food and was constantly full – sadly quashing those of us with hopes of whiling away the after dinner hours with cards and vodka.
Without showers it is surprising how quickly you embrace a new look – with hair matted and myself and others remaining unshaven, we sung along to Bob Marley like true free spirits.

Courtesy of Roarr Rallies

Day Five – 23.47

Stopped at Irkutsk for 25 minutes before moving onto Lake Baikal, which was covered with solid ice.
During this brief sojourn, we sat by one of the train windows and enjoyed a small snapshot of native life – watching a fisherman dig a hole, wait patiently and succeed in catching a fish. I am sure we purchased his catch further along the line, having been dried to perfection and served up in the dining carriage. Or was that an illusion? Perhaps he kept the catch for himself? How tasty was it really? By this stage in the journey, it was hard to hold onto a sense of the reality in the outside world.

Courtesy of Roarr Rallies

Day Six – 21:30

Stopped at Sukhe Bator for customs and immigration, with the sight of the Gobi Desert ahead of us.
The abiding souvenir from a week’s friendship and total immersion in the lives of others is the gaining of a united memory. This sudden converging and almost forced entanglement of personalities on the train joined us together in a shared experience – the journey is now a part of a united past that binds us together forever, long after we drift apart.
Joss was the first to initiate the swapping of stories, sharing his own motivation and inspiration behind embarking on the journey, whereas Sonya set up a makeshift cinema, featuring a mini-season dedicated to Bill Nighy, complete with popcorn.
It was a greatly musical journey with a friendly contest organised and monitored by Selina. Patrick performed a Sonny and Cher song in his own unique and memorable style, Isabella offered a fresh, unique sound not unlike young YouTube sensations and Joe sang Mack the Knife, impressively accompanied by a used ice cream container ‘tuned’ by an elastic band. ‘Hans’ Christian sang My Way supported by the backing melody of a tablet computer and Eero went from being unsure and withdrawn, to emulating an electrifying Snoop Dog. A Mongolian man, who spoke no English, simply enjoyed the jovial atmosphere of the group, laughing and sharing his vodka, whilst a Russian woman treated us to a Beatles medley. As for myself, I looked to someone who would have been inspired by this train journey and entertained the crowd with Bobby Brown Goes Down.

Courtesy of Roarr Rallies

Day Seven – 14.04: Beijing Central Station.

My brief love affair with the Trans-Siberian railway was now over. I had become an ex-traveller, lovelorn and left to reflect. Like any defining love affair however, life would never be the same again. Without a doubt, the people and the journey shaped me in new and unexpected ways but it was the incredible camaraderie and friendship that gave me the experience and empathy I sought, becoming an undeniable example of real wealth – measured in the currency of human kindness.
By Conrad Birch

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article