It takes just under 7 days to complete non-stop (Image: Getty)
The world’s longest direct railway journey spans an incredible 5,771 miles and takes nearly a week to complete. Travellers aboard this service go through eight time zones during their epic voyage.
The Trans-Siberian Railroad holds the record as the planet’s longest single rail network. It links eastern and western Russia, running from Moscow through to Vladivostok. Covering the railway’s entire length takes roughly 167 hours without requiring any passenger transfers.
Read more: Incredible new £130bn train line would connect 9 cities in UK and Ireland
Read more: China builds new high speed train line in 9 hours
Departing eastward from Moscow, the service crosses the nation towards the Pacific Ocean. Non-stop train services are available, meaning all travellers stay aboard for the full seven-day duration. Should you wish to disembark and discover the surrounding areas, passengers may choose the stopping service instead.
This option, however, requires between 14 and 20 days to finish. The Trans-Siberian railway passes through cities including Moscow, Yaroslavl, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok, reports the Mirror.
The Trans-Manchurian line, which travels through northern China to Beijing, and the Trans-Mongolian, which heads to Beijing but passes through Ulan Bator.
A renowned train operating on the Trans-Siberian railway is Rossiya (the Russia), which has second-class sleepers, third-class open-plan sleeper bunks, and a restaurant car. Passengers can purchase four tickets to guarantee exclusive use of a four-berth compartment, regardless of whether they are travelling alone.
The bunks transform into seating throughout the day, with lavatories and washing facilities positioned at corridor ends.
It is the longest direct railway in the world (Image: Getty)
Numerous travellers who experienced this route historically opted against commencing or concluding their expedition in Russia. Visitors previously departed from London, journeying to Moscow before embarking upon the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
Upon reaching Vladivostok, travellers could then proceed to Korea, Japan, or China without requiring air transport. National Geographic previously organised excursions along the route, providing visitors the opportunity to experience « one of the world’s most legendary railways. »
They described the journey: « Set out on an epic train journey across one-third of the world, travelling from Vladivostok, Russia to the heart of Moscow along the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway.
« From the Mongolian steppe to Lake Baikal’s remote shores to the snow-capped Ural Mountains, trace the history of tsars, exiles, and Mongols in the comfort of our luxury train, the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. Encounter remote cultures and the unique architecture of Siberia’s wooden cottages and Moscow’s onion domes. »
Such tours have been suspended, though the service reportedly continues operating for Russian citizens. The UK Government advises against all travel to Russia.
Official guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office states: « FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine, including security incidents, such as drone attacks, and Russian air defence activity, lack of flights to return to the UK and limited ability for the UK government to provide support. »
Source link
