I'm in the early stages of planning a Round-the-World trip, and I'm wanting to do the London to China leg overland, preferably by rail. However I'm in two minds as to the best route, with each offering its own advantages and attractions. Has anyone any experiences - good or bad - or advice on any of these routes:

1. London - (Orient Express route) - Istanbul - Ankara - Tehran - Mashad - Mary - Turkmenabad - Tashkent - Almaty - Urumqi - Xian etc.

2. London - (Orient Express route) - Istanbul - Ankara - Yerevan - Baki - (Caspian Sea) - Turkmenbasy - Asgabat - Turkmenabad - Tashkent - Almaty - Urumqi - Xian etc.

3. London - Warsaw - Moscow - Ekaterinburg - Irkutsk - Ulaanbaatar - Beijing

4. London - Warsaw - Moscow - Tashkent - Almaty - (trip to Bishkek) - Urumqi - Xian etc.

I've not so much looked at what there is to see on these routes so much as viable routes across to China, so any alternative suggestions would also be appreciated.

Hi eurobahn,

What ever route you take, I am sure you will have a great time, if this is your first time, you are in for a great experience....

I did something similar few years ago; this is how it went...


My journey started with a 25 hour coach journey from London to Budapest via France, Belgium, Germany and Austria, from Budapest to Bucharest a train journey lasting 16 hours, Bucharest to Istanbul via Bulgaria another train journey lasting 23 hours, Istanbul to Tehran using 2 different buses and a dolmus a journey lasting 40 hours, followed by a a train to Kerman, an overnight journey lasting 15 hours. Next stage took us to Zahedan in Iran in 8 hours. After the first 12 hour rest in 7 days of travelling the next stage was a 15 hours ride in a pickup to Quetta in Pakistan. With another 12 hours rest due to circumstances beyond our control, the next stage took us to Lahore in 23 hours and walked across waga border into India through .

My next challenge is to take a Double Decker bus and repeat the journey and again for charity.

Please do drop me a line if I can br more help.

Best of luck

Ramesh J

go noto www.seat61.com & its all on there! london to france, france to russia via ???...russia to beijing! :)

use svehty veter for any trains in russia as they're cheap & provide an excellent service! :)