Trans-Siberian Railway: route guide

The classic Trans-Siberian runs from Moscow's Yaroslavsky Station east across European Russia and Siberia to Vladivostok on the Pacific. It crosses two continents, 16 major rivers and almost a hundred cities, and remains the backbone of the Russian rail network.

Two branch routes leave the main line at Ulan Ude: the Trans-Mongolian turns south through Ulaanbaatar to Beijing, and the Trans-Manchurian continues to Chita before crossing Manchuria to Beijing. Both international services are suspended, so plan the Russian section only unless a resumption is announced.

A northern parallel line, the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM), reaches the Pacific at Vanino and Sovetskaya Gavan. It is a side trip, not part of the classic route.

Distances below are the rail kilometres between stops; times are the fastest through-train times and vary by service. Several trains run shorter sections, so you can often continue the same day without an overnight stop.

The stops most travellers rate highest are Yekaterinburg (Europe–Asia border and the Romanov execution site), Irkutsk and Lake Baikal (Listvyanka or Olkhon Island), and Ulan Ude (Buryat culture). Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk are quick city stops; Khabarovsk is the last big city before Vladivostok.

May to September is the practical window: long daylight, passable roads for side trips, and comfortable temperatures across Siberia. July and August are peak, so book early and expect fuller carriages.

Winter travel is possible and some travellers prefer the snow and the quiet, but temperatures along the route can fall below −30 °C and daylight is short. Spring and autumn are shoulder seasons with fewer crowds and lower prices, though some Baikal services run only in the summer season.

On the train, the choice is compartment class: platzkart (open dormitory, cheapest), kupe (four-berth closed compartment), or SV (two-berth). Most travellers use kupe for overnight legs and platzkart for short daytime hops.

Off the train, each stop has hotels near the station and in the centre. Irkutsk and Listvyanka have the widest range for Lake Baikal; Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Khabarovsk have business hotels and hostels. Book ahead in July and August, and for Olkhon Island in summer.

Buy tickets from Russian Railways (RZD) or an agency; you need your passport details at booking. A Russian visa is required for most foreign visitors, and registration rules apply at each stop.

Pack layers, a Russian phrasebook or offline translator, a padlock for your compartment, snacks and a refillable bottle. Most passengers do not speak English, so basic Russian goes a long way. Bring cash in rubles for food and small purchases; card acceptance is uneven outside big cities.