Trans Siberian Railway Map- 12 Highlights To See Along The Way

The legendary Trans-Siberian line from Moscow to Vladivostok is the longest railway in the world in the world. It starts in Russia’s capital and ends a week later in the Far East of Russia in Vladivostok, a city that was closed to foreigners until 1990. The longest train ride in the world will take you from Europe to Asia without leaving Russia, passing by eight different time zones. In this article, we’ll explore the Trans Siberian railway map and introduce you to some of the main highlights along the way.

The train departs every two days and can help you get to know Russia in just two weeks by enjoying the changing landscapes and breathtaking scenery and listening to stories from Russian people from all parts of the country. The world’s longest railway still attracts a lot of passengers even in today’s era of cheap flights. And don’t think that the people on the train will be mostly tourists. The Trans-Siberian line connects 87 cities and villages and it’s the first choice for most locals. It’s more than a train line. In fact, I could even say it’s a lifeline for millions of locals…

Winston Churchill did a great job describing Russia as a “riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma” and that’s arguably true even today. This journey might not give you all the answers but it can surely give you a lot of them. From the mesmerizing monotony of the Russian landscapes, the empty fields and useless pieces of land, the lonely villages, and of course the people that hold everything together.

What to expect from the longest train ride in the world?

There are three types of carriages: platzkart (open carriage), second class, and first class. The beds on the coaches are quite comfortable: I’m 6 feet tall and I didn’t feel uncomfortable not even for a minute. The food was much better than I expected but the most difficult part was the shower. The only showers on the train are reserved for first-class passengers. However, don’t forget that this is Russia and you can get a hot shower for a small fee if you get friendly with the conductor.

Prepare to see the best and worst of Russia. You will pass through dense forests and grassless steppes, high mountains, and green valleys, big cities, and isolated villages… You’ll watch 9,000 km passing by as Russia slowly unveils its secrets, whether through its shy, stunning landscapes or loud, vodka-drinking people.

The only bad thing about this journey is that you only pass by places and you don’t have the time to stop and explore deeper. The train only stops a few times per day, obviously leaving you with nowhere near enough time to get to know a place. The good news, however, is that there are tours that aim to replicate this whole experience by making stops on the most interesting destinations along the Trans Siberian Railway map. One such example is the Trans-Monglian Express tour by G Adventures.

But, if you’re not planning to take a tour, you can always learn a lot from the people who get on and off the train. Every person you meet on the train can uncover a jigsaw from the big enigma Russia is. Every breakfast shot of Vodka, every game of Durak (a Russian card game), every drunken discussion about politics in the late nights…

It’s not just 7 days on the train. It’s a chance to meet people from all around the country and learn a lot about Russia on the way. Their faces and stories simply became images in my head of the regions where they were coming from. They were a big part of my journey.

Part 1: Moscow to Irkutsk

I’ve dreamed of this journey ever since I saw a documentary at school about the longest train ride in the world at school. Today was finally the day when that dream came true. Loud applause echoed in the train as it was leaving the train station in Moscow. We just started the world’s longest and most majestic train journey…

The provodnitsas (train attendants) were doing a great job of maintaining the train for the whole seven days and the hygiene was always on mark even in the cheapest class. As I said, the beds were clean and quite comfortable and there were flash blankets and sheets every day.

I was riding in the cheapest coach because I knew I’d have the chance to meet more local people there. And I was right. It wasn’t long enough until a couple of Russian guys from the next coach offered me a glass of vodka. One of them said showing through the window while hitting his chest: “This is Russia and I love this country. It’s amazing”. And I couldn’t agree more.

For someone who has been a victim of the visual harshness of urban cities for most of his life, there was so much to see. The endlessly green sweep of the countryside was passing by in front of my eyes, yet I could only see glimpses of Russia all the missing pieces were unveiled by the passengers hopping on and off the train, the smiling babushkas, and the crafty hawkers selling anything you might imagine.

Part 2: Irkutsk-Vladivostok

The Trans-Siberian Railway was built simultaneously from both, east and west resulting in the two lines meeting at Irkutsk. It was here that in the past, passengers had to take a ferry to go through Lake Baikal and take the other train on the other side of the lake. Nowadays, trains just steam around the lake beside a little-used spur line right next to the satin-surfaced water of the world’s largest lake.

A night away from the Baikal Lake is Ulan Ude, the capital of the Buryat Republic, and home to the largest Siberian ethnic group. It’s also the starting point of the Trans Mongolian Railway. The city is surrounded by deep steep and remote landscapes that make this region look like one of the most isolated places on the planet.

If you’re one of those people who associate Buddhism with East and Southeast Asia, you’ll be in for a surprise. You will see Buddhist monks coming out from Russian cottages, sometimes even boarding the train…

***

It was the next day when we reached the far east of Russia. It was incredible; we started off in Moscow, right next to Europe and we were only a couple of hundred miles away from Japan, and even closer to North Korea and China. I know it took a week but it felt like the journey lasted really short. Eventually, we reached Vladivostok, an elegant city that was forbidden fruit for tourists until 1990 and the fall of the Soviet Union.

The world’s greatest train journey came to an end. In summary, it was an amazing experience with a lot of breathtaking sights and I would recommend everyone to put this journey on the top of their bucket list. Finally, I will try to summarize the top highlights along the Trans-Siberian Line.

Related: the best things to do in Sochi

Top 10: Highlights along the Trans-Siberian Express

Now that we covered some basics, this article wouldn’t be complete without some of the main highlights on the Trans Siberian railway map.

1. Perm

The landscapes that one of the biggest rivers in the world uncovers are nothing short of spectacular. The train also passes by one of the oldest Russian cities and the oldest cities along the Volga: Yaroslavl, built in 1010. Today the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yaroslavl’s architecture is the ultimate mix between the Russian and the Western and you’ll surely be impressed.

2. Yekaterinburg And The Ural

Yekaterinburg is a city under the Ural Mountains that separates Europe and Asia in two. This city is the melting pot where European and Asian civilizations have merged together. There’s a spot in the city surrounding where you can literally have your two feet on two different continents. Yekaterinburg is also a must for all history lovers as it was the place where the last Russian Tzar Nicholas II and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks back in 1918. Today, Yekaterinburg is the fourth largest city in Russia.

Planning to visit Yekaterinburg soon? Then you’ll probably like this list of the best hotels in Yekaterinburg.

3. Tyumen

Tyumen is a Russian city, established in Siberia; its ancient past intertwines with current economic development. Stolichnyy Ugol (funded in 1586) was transformed from a fortress to the main capital of the oil and natural gas industry of Russia. The area’s significance increased considerably due to the discovery of large oil and gas deposits in its proximity, which led to its industrial and scientific development. The Trans-Siberian Railway runs from Tyumen to throughout Russia’s extensive land, therefore, it serves as a keynote hub in the country’s transport system.

4. Omsk

Omsk occupies a significant place in the history of the Trans-Siberian Railway, with its history being linked with the progress of the military and cultural development of this part of Russia. Now Omsk is known as a hot spot for arts with theaters and museums reprising its glorious heritage with architectural masterpieces like the Assumption Cathedral, the Dormition Cathedral, and the Vrubel Museum to name a few.

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our guide to Seversk, one of Russia’s closed cities.

5. Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk in Siberia is not a mere station on the Trans-Siberian Railway, but a metropolis that is home to over three million people, being the largest agglomeration in Siberia and Russia’s third-largest city. It’s famous for being a sort of scientific hub, and for being home to the popular Akademgorodok, where scientists from different disciplines meet. A couple of other landmarks include the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, one of the largest in Russia, and the Novosibirsk Zoo, said to be one of the most modern ones in Russia.

6. Krasnoyarsk

One of the greatest Russian authors of the 19^th century, Anton Chekhov described Krasnoyarsk as the most beautiful city in Siberia. And who am I to disagree with Chekhov? The nature surrounding the city is absolutely breathtaking, especially the Stolby Nature Reserve. You will also be able to see the traditional Siberian timber mansions spread across the forests and amazing landscapes along the Yenisei River.

7. Irkutsk

Known as the Paris of Siberia, Irkutsk is the city where the two lines of the Trans-Siberian Railway connect. The city will blow you away with its wooden architecture and neo-classical buildings. Irkutsk is located right next to the Baikal Lake, which takes us to the next point:

8. Lake Baikal

There’s not much I can say about the world’s deepest lake which holds one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. Located in the south of Siberia if you’re traveling in the winter you will witness the marvelous look of the frozen Baikal. At this time of the year, you can literally walk on top of the lake. If you want to take a short detour you can go for the Circumbaikal Railway which takes passengers around the lake.

9. Ulan Ude

Ulan Ude is the capital of the Republic of Buryatia in Russia and offers a unique blend of culture that can be described as a mixture of Russian and Mongolian/Buddhist influences. The most notable feature of the city is the iconic statue of the giant head of Lenin, the symbol of the city’s communist past. Ulan Ude is also a place to start a voyage to the previously mentioned Baikal Lake, the world’s deepest. As far as other landmarks go, the city is also home to the National Museum of Ethnography which provides a glimpse into the local Buryat culture, traditional clothing, dwellings, and customs, and the Museum of History that showcases the historical development of this unique multicultural city.

10. Khabarovsk

The town of Khabarovsk, located on a border close to China, is a charming town on the bank of the Amur River. It’s the perfect spot for nature lovers looking to catch a break from the long train ride along the Trans Siberian Railway map. However, the city isn’t just about beautiful natural scenery; it’s also home to numerous museums, theaters, and galleries reflecting the multiculturality and artistry of the Russian Far East region.

11. Vladivostok

Finally, we made it to the end of the rail line. Vladivostok is a city that is much closer to China and North Korea but the city has a surprisingly European feel. Vladivostok is comfortably framed by the rugged mountains surrounding the city and this location made the city the perfect choice for a center of the Soviet Pacific Fleet. That’s why foreigners were forbidden to come here until 1990.

12. The Feel Of The Train Journey

Spending a week on a train (2 weeks if you’re going back) sounds like an amazing adventure. It is indeed, the longest train ride in the world that covers 8 different time zones and shows you practically all parts of Modern Russia and the differences between them. Just looking at the beautiful nature and endless steep and the feeling of being lost in the middle of nowhere just adds to the reasons why the Trans-Siberian journey should be at the top of your bucket list.

13. The People

Finally, the people. As I mentioned, the longest train ride in the world passes by 87 cities and villages. Unfortunately, you won’t have the time to visit all the places individually but you can experience them through the eyes of the passengers who are boarding the train. The longest train ride in Russia is a very common way of transportation around the country and there will be a lot of people from different parts of Russia that you can meet on the train.

Things To Know Before Exploring The Trans Siberian Railway Map

Only a handful of nationalities can visit Russia without getting a visa. So, unless you’re from some of the former Soviet/Yugoslavian countries or South America, you probably need a visa before visiting. If you want to learn everything you need to know about getting a Russian visa and learning how much it costs, visit this website.

For the best travel insurance deals, check out SafetyWing. They have a special offer for people who take the longest train ride in the world.

For the cheapest flights to Russia, use this Qatar Airways offer to save 15% on all flights to Russia. I use it for booking most of my flights because it saves me a ridiculous amount of money.

Finally, if you want to spend some more time exploring the best of Russia’s countryside, consider G Adventure’s Trans-Mongolian tour. No matter how good you are at saving money while traveling, I’m sure you can’t do all the things on this list, and arrange your transport and accommodation for less than what this tour costs!

Did you like exploring the Trans Siberian railway map with us? Would you ever consider embarking on the longest train ride in the world? Let us know in the comments.

If you liked the article, don’t forget to share it on Pinterest!