The ultimate for lovers of epic train journeys, the Trans-Siberian Railway is a 5,753-mile steel artery across Russia from Moscow to Vladivostok, crossing eight time zones as it weaves through the country’s vast and little-visited interior. The Trans-Siberian is actually a number of services, ranging from slow local stoppers to grand international trains running the main route, as well as two separate routes to Beijing in China. The public train, Rossiya No 2, takes six days and is definitely a great way to meet the locals. Those preferring to go Tsar-style can take the Golden Eagle luxury train, which is complete with sumptuous suites, fine dining and even an on-board doctor.
Starting in Russia or China, a journey to Mongolia on the legendary Trans-Siberian Express is one of the last railway adventures in the world. International trains connecting Moscow, Ulaanbaatar and Beijing run four times on a weekly basis. To mark the 65th anniversary of this railway line in 2017, the Mongolian government invested $250 million, part of which was spent on 15 new passenger-carts from Russia. These modern trains are built to EU standards and offer passengers high degree of comfort. Features include smart technology that provides wi-fi internet access and lets passengers watch videos and films or choose from five different news channels. “This is the first major investment in the 65-year history of the Ulaanbaatar railway network," said Minister A. Gansukh.