The Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian railway links Moscow with Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, a journey of 6,150 miles (over 9,000 km) in all - not quite the longest possible journey on one train, but almost!
In fact there are three lines currently in operation:
The Trans-Siberian railway from Moscow to Vladivostok is the classic route, with a train every two days. Travelling across Siberia and into the Russian far east, the train takes 7 days to complete the route.
The Trans-Mongolian railway leaves the Trans-Siberian route at Ulan-Ude in Siberia and heads south, through Mongolia and into China. A weekly train, popular with visitors, connects Moscow and Beijing in 6 days.
The Trans-Manchurian railway is the least well-travelled of the three routes, taking a longer route from Moscow to Beijing avoiding Mongolia.
Private Trains
The most luxurious and comprehensive way to travel the Trans-Siberian railway is by one of the private trains that ply the various routes. These are not cheap options, of course, but aside from including food and drink they also operate a tourist itinerary, stopping for organised off-train excursions to places that would be difficult to visit independently.
The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express is operated by a British firm, and travels the Moscow-Vladivostok route with a detour into Mongolia as well as the Moscow-Beijing route.
The Zarengold is operated by a German firm and travels the Moscow-Beijing route with some hotel stays en route.
Public trains
The public trains that operate regular services along the three lines vary in quality, but most are perfectly comfortable and quite acceptable. They may not be as luxurious as the Private trains, but are much more affordable and give you the chance to meet real local people.
As well as the long-distance express trains there are plenty of normal inter-city services meaning that it is usually possible to get off and spend a few days in one of the interesting cities en route - Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk or Ulan Ude for instance.
