Fun facts about the Trans-Siberian Express
As leading providers of Trans-Siberian trips, our rail cruises help avid adventurers to journey to a multitude of destinations. From the mysterious marvels of Russia and far reaches of Mongolia, to the vast and diverse country that is China, those travelling on the Trans-Siberian Express can experience it all from the comfort of their train seat. Each of our classic trips also features a number of stopovers so you can head out on foot to explore your destination further.
The Trans-Siberian Express is more than just a quirky and convenient way to travel. The iconic railroad has a long history, with rail being laid as early as 1891. Construction of the railway ended in 1916, and the result is an inspiring journey that takes a minimum of a week to complete. Instead of taking a look at the destinations along the way, we thought we’d dedicate this post to our very special mode of transport. Read on to discover lots of fun facts about the Trans-Siberian express.
It’s still the longest railway in the world
Despite being completed more than a century ago, the Trans-Siberian railway still holds the title for being the longest direct rail route in the world. The Telegraph explains just how long the Trans-Siberian experience really is:
“It’s the journey nearly everyone wants to do, perhaps because it’s commonly said to be the longest you can make on a single train: the longest of the three trans-Siberian routes, between Moscow and Vladivostok, covers 9,258km (6,152 miles) and takes seven days. There is a longer one, from the Ukraine to Vladivostok, but as an introduction to the immensity of the world’s largest country and its landscapes, the Trans-Siberian experience is unrivalled.”
It’s not just the railroad that’s record breaking. The Trans-Siberian route features the longest tunnel, which is a whopping 2 kilometres long!
Those riding the express actually travel in time
You don’t need to be a real life ‘Doctor Who’ to travel in time if you choose to ride the full length of the Trans-Siberian railway. The journey takes you through eight different time zones. Although Russian station clocks, train clocks and timetables are kept on Moscow time (to prevent rail-induced jet lag), Mongolia and China keep their own local time.
There’s more than one Trans-Siberian rail journey
As you may have guessed from the Trans-Siberian itineraries shown across our website, our journeys don’t just take you from Moscow to Vladivostok. This route is just one of three Trans-Siberian experiences. The Moscow to Vladivostok line is officially the Trans-Siberian railway, whilst the Moscow to Beijing route is called the Trans-Mongolian. There’s also the Siberia to Beijing route, which is called the Trans-Manchurian. Despite not having the title of the longest Trans-Siberian route, the Trans-Manchurian railroad is the most popular with tourists. As well as offering a historic and scenic insight into Russia, Mongolia and China, the route cuts through the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar before coming to an end in China’s capital, Beijing.
The Trans-Siberian express trains used across the three routes aren’t just tourist trains. The routes are responsible for transporting 30% of Russia’s exports and are frequently used by locals too.
