Without doubt one of the world’s epic rail journeys, the Trans-Siberian railway stretches 9,258km linking Moscow and St. Petersburg to Vladivostok on the Pacific coast. Begun in1891 it took 10 years to complete the first line. Later on extra lines were added to Beijing, one crossing Mongolia and the other passing through Manchuria. Life on the train settles in to its own pace as time and distance blur while the carriages pass through several time zones. Accommodation is in either 2 or 4 berth cabins and washing facilities are shared. The carriages are heated in winter and air conditioned in winter and each train has a restaurant car which doubles up as a bar. It is easy to break up your trip with stopovers in some of the towns that the train passes through and so tailor your own Trans-Siberian experience.

Weather
May to September are the peak months and the weather in Siberia in the summer is warm and the hours of daylight are longer. On the other hand a Siberian winter has its own charms although you will need to wrap up very warmly when you step outside. Inside the trains are very well heated.

Local Customs
Photography of anything to do with the military, strategic sites, or the airport, is prohibited in Russia. It is impolite to refuse alcohol, food and gifts. In Russian Orthodox churches, women are advised to wear skirts and cover their heads with a scarf.
Mongolia.

Visas
Most nationalities must have a passport valid for the length of their stay and visas are required for Russia, Mongolia and China.

Vaccinations
Travellers to Russia are advised to have up-to-date vaccinations for hepatitis A, tuberculosis and typhoid fever (long-term travellers), as well as medications for travellers' diarrhoea. An influenza vaccine is recommended for travel between November and April. There is also a risk of tick-borne encephalitis in rural and wooded areas, particularly in the Ural and Siberian regions. If travelling through Mongolia and/or China, please check the travel essentials for these countries.

It is your responsibility to check all relevant recommendations and also to get the most up-to-date health information for the destinations being visited. You can contact your GP or any of the following organisations:

MASTA: Telephone: 0906 822 4100 www.masta.org
Live Travel Health Line: 09068 633414
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Flight Duration
From London flight time to St. Petersburg is 3 hours, to Moscow is 4 hours and to Ekaterinburg is 5 hours.

Compartments and Food on Board
On Russian trains there are normally 3 classes, dormitory style accommodation which we do not use, "Kupe" or second class with 4 berths to a compartment and the comfortable "Spalny vagon" or first class with only two berths. There are 8 compartments to a carriage with a toilet and washbasin at each end. First class compartments are the same size as second class but provide greater space and privacy as they are shared by only two people rather than four. Some Chinese trains also have first class deluxe compartments for two people with a private washroom shared with the next door compartment. Carriages are heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer. Each carriage is looked after by a provodnik (male) or provodnitsa (female) who are responsible for collecting tickets, cleaning the carriage, vacuuming the carpets and keeping the samovar full for hot drinks. There are no showers on board so travellers have to make do with a quick freshen up with a washcloth.

All the main Trans-Siberian trains have a restaurant car which doubles up as a bar. The food can be somewhat monotonous but it is plentiful and inexpensive. Non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are freely available in the restaurant and it is possible to purchase soft drinks and snacks from the provodniks. There is also a constant supply of hot water available at the end of each carriage for tea and coffee and travellers often like to add some variety to their diet by purchasing items from the vendors on the platforms. Meals are not included on the train.