International Rail

The Best Overland Routes
The best way to get to and from Russia is avoiding Belorussia (Belarus), because everyone needs a transit visa through Belarus, which costs $30 and takes time to make. However, Belarus might be interesting to see (from the window of your train) as it is perhaps the only country in Europe now that still has a feel of the communist times.

On the map above there are the main railway routes (in red) through Europe to Russia. As you see, you can avoid Belarus, if you go through the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia). If you want to go through Belarus, then you can take a direct train from Berlin to Moscow.

Almost all trains that go from Western and Eastern Europe, go through Warsaw, Poland.

For example, if your destination is St. Petersburg, you should take a train to Warsaw, then take a train from Warsaw to Kaunas, then take a train from Kaunas to Vilnius, and then take a train from Vilnius to St. Petersburg, the total price will be around $75 one way. If you take a direct train Warsaw - St. Petersburg, you'll go through Belorussia, it'll cost around $85 one way and you'll need a transit visa (+$30 at least).
If your destination is Moscow, the best way is to get from Warsaw to Riga, and then take a daily train Riga - Moscow Again, if you take a direct train Warsaw - Moscow or Berlin - Moscow, you'll go through Belarusand don`t forget to get a for a transit visa.

From	To	2 Berth Carriage	4 Berth Carriage
Moscow	Helsinki	$546	$437
Moscow	Berlin	$765	$546
Moscow	Warsaw	$601	$396
Moscow	Prague	$792	$601
Moscow	Paris	$1638	$1229
St. Petersburg	Helsinki	$328	$246
St. Petersburg	Berlin	$997	$697
St. Petersburg	Warsaw	$650	$380
St. Petersburg	Prague	$847	$601
St. Petersburg	Riga	$601	$424
St. Petersburg	Vilnius	n/a	$396
Beijing	Moscow	$2583	$1775
Beijing	Irkutsk	$1507	$1060
Beijing	Novosibirsk	$1911	$1365

 

Please contact us via email or the "Click to Enquire" button, for your rail bookings.

Prices are per person.

Above prices are valid until 31 December 2009. (Exact prices are confirmed at time of booking).

Prices updated 27 May 2009.