Taking the Trans-Siberian Railway across Siberia |
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If you’re really searching for adventure and uniqueness on your next vacation, why not consider a memorable train journey across the huge expanse of Russia? The Trans-Siberian Railway is the train that can get you from Moscow to the western side of the Russian continent, a mere 10,000 kilometers (roughly 6,000 miles) journey. Or to put it into perspective, it’s twice a long as a trip from the west coast to the east coast in the United States. And to start your journey, you have the option of flying into Moscow or taking a train from any major European city that connects to Moscow. Another option, though not as popular, is to start your journey on the west coast of Russia in the port city of Vladivostok and travel east to Moscow. The Trans-Siberian Railway basically consists of three major routes that can take you to through the depths of this sprawling continent and beyond. The most popular line that’s taken by tourists is the famous Trans-Siberian line. This line runs from the cosmopolitan city of Moscow to Vladivostok, located on the western shores of Russia. In total, the trip takes seven days, though most people make frequent stops along the way. And once you arrive in this modern port city of Russia, you can continue by ferry to Japan. If you’re looking to travel first class, a one-way ticket costs around $850 for two people per sleeper-car. But if cost is a consideration, they opt for the four-person sleeper for almost half the price. The second route, which is actually considered a side route of the Trans-Siberian Railway, runs from Moscow to Beijing through Mongolia. This route, the Trans-Mongolian line, takes six days and travels almost 4,800 miles. It is also arguably the most scenic route out of all three routes. Prices for a two-person sleeper-car run a bit higher than the Trans-Siberian route – about $910 for a two-person car to about $650 for a four-person sleeper. If you’ve always dreamed of traveling through Manchuria, the third route is for you. The Trans-Manchurian line takes a little over six days to travel over 5,600 miles, with prices being similar to those on the Trans-Mongolian line. No adventure compares to train travel across Russia’s vast interior.
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