london city cruises timetable

• Thames River Disco Cruise
• Bottomless Brunch Cruise
• 24 Hour Hop-On-Hop-Off Cruise
• Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise
• Afternoon Tea From The Tower
• Thames Jet Speedboat ride
• New Years Eve Cruise 2024/25
• Christmas Disco 2024
• Summer Party Disco Cruise
• Elvis Cruise
• Sundowner/ Riverlights Evening Cruise
• Two Course Lunch Cruise
• Evening Dinner Cruise
• Private Hire
• Premiere Hot Buffets
• Finger Food
• Cold Buffets
• Barbeque Buffet
• Plated Dinner Menu
• Hot Buffet Suppers
• Plated Lunch Menu
• Morning and afternoon Tea Menu
• Testimonials
• River Thames Cruises

Make the most of London's breath-taking riverside landmarks with a hop on hop off river pass. With unlimited access for 24 hours, London opens up so you can explore with friends and family at your own pace.

With a hop-on hop-off Thames river cruise you can join the boat tour at any of the four piers (loacted at Greenwich, the Tower of London, the London Eye, and Westminster), with open passage on all City Cruises sightseeing boats for a full day spent exploring London's fantastic riverside views. Not only is it great value, but it's also a relaxed way to take in the sights without time pressure and avoid the busy streets of London.

Take your pick of an open upper deck or comfortable indoor saloon where you can enjoy entertaining and informative commentary and of course unrivalled views of London's iconic sights. There's so much to see and do along the Thames, with a hop-on hop-off ticket, London becomes your playground.

 Where to Meet:

• Westminster Pier
• London Eye Pier
• Greenwich Pier

UPON ARRIVAL -  When you arrive for your Hop on hop off cruise, please walk straight down onto the pier where you will be greeted by pier staff. Have your ticket ready to then be directed to your boarding point.

Average cruising time from one pier to the other is 40mins except from Westminster Pier to London Eye Pier which is 10mins.

Please note: With the 24h hop-on hop-off ticket you can take your first trip at any time during the day and take as many trips as you like until the boats stop operating in the evening. When the boats resume operations on the next day you will then have until the same time to continue using the ticket.

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I just wanted to say a big thank you for hosting our summer party last Thursday. It was a huge success and we all really enjoyed it. Both times we have used your company we’ve been absolutely thrilled.

Gav the Dj was great as were the bar staff, caterers  and yourself.

Thank you very much again and I will recommend you to anybody wishing to hire a boat.

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• Thames Cruises
• New Year's Eve Cruise 2024/25

River Thames Cruises Unit 4a, Tower Workshops 58 Riley Road London SE1 3DG 020 7237 9111

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Sightseeing At Its Best

Explore london with thames river sightseeing.

Make the most of your adventure! Join our local skippers and friendly team for an unforgettable Thames River cruise.

THAMES RIVER CRUISE TICKETS

Tickets & packages.

• Thames River Sightseeing Cruise Ticket

Westminster to Greenwich

Travel from Westminster to Greenwich and enjoy beautiful views over London’s famous landmarks with our River Thames Sightseeing cruise.

Westminster to Tower Bridge (Butler's Wharf Pier)

See the best of beautiful London from the waters on this  Thames River Sightseeing cruise, from Westminster to  Tower Bridge.

2 Day River Pass | Hop On Hop Off

Our 2-day hop-on and hop-off Thames River Sightseeing ticket is the best way to explore London from the water – with unlimited river travel over two consecutive days to enjoy at your own pace.

Tower Bridge (Butler's Wharf) to Westminster

Climb aboard our sightseeing cruise at Tower Bridge (Butler’s Wharf Pier) and head to Westminster.

THAMES RIVER SIGHTSEEING

Featured Attractions

There’s so much to see when you’re on your Thames River Sightseeing cruise that you’re bound to find at least one place you’ll want to visit. Explore iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Shard, & more!

• Closest Pier: Bankside Pier

TOWER OF LONDON

• Closest Pier: Greenwich Pier

ROYAL OBSERVATORY

Shakespeare's globe, st. paul's cathedral.

• BEAUTIFUL VIEWS
• EXPERT CREW

Are you a group of 15 or more? Book now and get 15% off your tickets. Please select a cruise below and the discount will automatically be applied for group bookings of at least 15 people.

Select a cruise for your group and get 15% off your tickets when check out.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our common answer to your common questions. Didn’t see what you are looking for? Click the button below to read all our FAQs.

The Thames is a chock-a-block full of London landmarks, including the iconic Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Cutty Sark, as well as modern attractions like the London Eye and the Shard. Rest assured your skipper will point out all the points of interest in an entertaining and informative commentary.

• Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1A 2JH
• Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2N 6NU
• Festival Pier, Riverside Walk, London, SE1 9PX
• Bankside Pier, Bankside, London, SE1 9PD
• Tower Bridge Quay, St Katharine Docks, 50 St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LA
• Greenwich Pier, King William Walk, London, SE10 9HT

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City Cruises Westminster Pier

Westminster millenium pier.

Boat trips from Westminster pier allow you to experience the full City Cruises  sightseeing  tour along the River Thames as well as our  London Dinner Cruise  and  Thamesjet  speedboat boat ride.

Postcode: Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH

Nearest Tube Stations:

Westminster Tube Station – Direct connection to the pier and is on the District, Circle and Jubilee lines.

Nearest Bus Stops:

• Westminster Stn / Westminster (H) – 148, 211
• Westminster Stn / Parliament Square (G) – 12, 159, 453, N53, N109, N155, N381
• Westminster Stn/ Parliament Square  (C)– 24, N53
• Westminster Stn / Parliament Square (A) –  3, 11, 12 , 87, 159,453, N3, N11, N44, N87, N109, N136,
• N155, N381.

Westminster Pier Santander Cycle Station is located on Victoria Embankment at road level.

Disabled Access:

The Pier is accessible

Ticket Booth Open Times:

Ticket office opening times: 10:00 – 18:00* *subject to change.

Things to do at Westminster Pier

Why not check out our Sightseeing and Dining Cruises or Thamesjet ! Where you can come on board at Westminster Millenium Pier and see London from a different view.

Closest Attractions near Westminster Pier

• Official Central London Experience

Other pier locations

How to get to westminster pier, where is westminster pier, can you take boat rides from westminster pier, how long is the boat trip from westminster to greenwich, who owns westminster pier, how much are westminster pier cruises.

• Sightseeing Tour – from £12
• London Dinner Cruise – from £79
• Thamesjet speedboat ride from £42

Are boats running to Westminster Millenium Pier?

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Sightseeing Cruise Flexible Tickets by City Cruises Dates and Times

More information about sightseeing cruise flexible tickets by city cruises.

We live for being on the river, setting sail every 20 to 40 minutes depending on the season. Explore London’s sights like you’ve never seen them before, from four fantastic Thames spots: Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich Pier. We know how to make your trip extraordinary. Our boats offer panoramic views, an open-air upper deck or a comfortable heated indoor saloon and even a café-bar. With commentary on the sights, landmarks and history from our expert captains, you’ll get a new perspective on our amazing city’s story. We have 4 strategically located piers that allow easy access to all the main riverside attractions while ensuring less of your sightseeing time is spent waiting at a pier. Our flexible sightseeing ticket can be used for a single journey or return journey from any of our sightseeing routes at any time.

Upgrade to 24 Hours Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Cruise

Cruise through the heart of the capital onboard a River! This exciting way to travel guides you along the Thames, giving you exceptional views of London’s most iconic and famous landmarks and locations. If you take in sights of the Houses of Parliament and want to venture into the historic Parliament Square to discover Westminster Abbey, St Mary’s Church and Big Ben, then you’re free to hop-on and off the boat as you please! With options of any of the four London piers, you’ll get to explore London at your own leisure whilst cruising the waters in between.

Onboard Experience

If you opt to stay on the boat, you’ll get to enjoy guided commentary revealing London’s rich history as you pass each location and that’s not all. Taking a cruise can work up an appetite (or at least that’s the excuse we like to use!) and that’s why there will be hot and cold refreshments available on board for you to enjoy. With so much to see and do, you’ll have 24 hours unlimited hop-on hop-off fun to have! Explore the very best of London by cruising the Thames.

Please click here for City Cruises timetable.

Pier Locations:

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The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train from

London to moscow & russia.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, uk to russia by train in 48 hours....

Of course, doesn't everyone go there by train?  It's easy, safe & comfortable to travel from London to Moscow by train in just over 48 hours.  Just take an afternoon Eurostar to Paris and board the Paris-Moscow Express , this runs once a week all year round.  It's the civilised way to reach Russia!  Or travel more cheaply via Berlin, Warsaw or Kyiv, it's all explained on this page with times, fares & how to buy tickets...

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2024:   All international trains to/from Moscow & Russia remain suspended until further notice, originally due to covid-19 and now due to sanctions and the war in Ukraine.  No trains at all now cross the Poland/Belarus or Finland/Russia border.  This page is not being updated, it shows travel as it used to be pre-pandemic.

The Foreign Office now advises against all travel to Russia because of the war between Russia & Ukraine, see www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia .

Train times, fares & tickets

Information on other pages

Route map:  uk to russia by train.

London to Moscow by train is a comfortable 1,924 miles (3,097 km) via the route in dark blue.

Useful country information

What are the options for getting to moscow .

There are a range of good options for travel from London to Moscow by train:

Option 1 , London to Moscow via the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper :  The cheapest option.  Routed via Belarus.

Option 2 , London to Moscow via the weekly Paris-Moscow Express :  The most glamorous & comfortable option, once a week all year.  Routed via Belarus.

Option 3 , London to Moscow via the twice-weekly Berlin-Moscow Talgo :  Another classy option, twice a week all year.  Routed via Belarus.

Option 4 , London, East Anglia, the North & Scotland to Moscow via Amsterdam :  Similar to option 1, but by ferry not Eurostar.  Routed via Belarus

Option 5 , London to Moscow via Kyiv :  Takes an extra night, but avoids Belarus so no Belarus visa required & has daily departures .  Easiest non-Belarus option.

Option 6 , London to St Petersburg via Stockholm then train to Moscow.  Also avoids Belarus, a scenic & comfortable route via Scandinavia.

Other routes & options including journeys via Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Vilnius, Riga or Tallinn.

Option 1, London to Moscow via Warsaw

This option runs every day and is usually the cheapest way from London to Moscow.  It takes the direct route shown in dark blue on the route map above .  You might still want to consider option 2, the Paris-Moscow Express , as it's a classic experience even if it costs a bit more, or option 3 via the new Berlin-Moscow Strizh , also a very classy experience.  If you want to avoid having to get a Belarus transit visa, consider option 5 via Kyiv .

London ► Moscow

Day 1, travel from London to Berlin using any of the options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example...

Leave London St Pancras at 09:01 by Eurostar , change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 19:08.

Leave London St Pancras at 11:04 by Eurostar , change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 21:09.

Eurostar has a cafe-bar, ICE trains have a restaurant car, all these trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Stay overnight in Berlin.   Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf 's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com .  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train , leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38 every day arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:11.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two in the restaurant.  Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  Map of Warsaw showing station location .

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by sleeping-car, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily and arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 (16:00 from late March to late October as Russia has no daylight saving time).  Check times with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru .

This train was suspended due to covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions...

This is an impressive modern Austrian-built sleeping-car with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers .  Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth.  The sleeping-car comes from Prague.  A Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.  This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa , also see this update on reaching Russia via Belarus .

Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the sleeping-car is into a shed, and jacked up to have its bogies (wheelsets) changed. You remain on board while this is done, quite an experience.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may catch a glimpse of the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station .

Moscow ► London

This is an impressive modern Austrian-built sleeping-car with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers .  Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth.  The sleeping-car goes through to Prague.  A Russian restaurant car is attached between Moscow & Brest on the Belarus/Poland border.  This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa .  Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  Map of Warsaw .

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity train , leaving Warsaw Centralna daily at 12:33 arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:16. 

Alternatively, a later train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 16:34 daily except Saturdays arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:16.

The Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant:  Three courses, a beer and a coffee only come to around €11.

Day 2, travel from Berlin to London using any service shown on the London to Germany page .  For example:

Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 17:00.

Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 19:57.

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets.

Step 1, book your London-Berlin tickets online following the step by step instructions here .

Step 3, now book the Warsaw to Moscow sleeper train, using one of these 3 sites...

a)  You can book it with no booking fees at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru .  It's a little fiddly, and doesn't always accept every overseas credit card, but does work with many payment cards,

b)  You can book it easily in plain English using the Real Russia online booking system here with a mark-up, tickets sent to any address worldwide.

c)  You can order tickets online from reliable Polish ticketing agency Polrail at http://booking.polrail.com with tickets collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.

Don't forget to arrange your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa .  See update on travelling to Russia through Belarus

How to buy tickets by phone

You can buy tickets just by picking up the phone, with either...

International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  International Rail are equipped with both the French and German rail ticketing systems, so can offer the best prices all the trains between London and Prague.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  In many cases tickets can be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.

Let Tailor Made Rail arrange it as a package...

This is the most hassle-free way to arrange a trip to Russia by train.  Tailor Made Rail's suggested tour package from London to Moscow & St Petersburg is at www.tailormaderail.com/itinerary/moscow-and-st-petersburg , this can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round trip.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.

What's the journey like ?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels .

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3

Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More information about ICE3 .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Cologne Hbf station guide .

3. Cologne to Berlin by ICE2

ICE2 trains have a restaurant car, bar car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf , the train crosses the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine.  It passes through the industrial Ruhr via Wuppertal & Hamm.  After leaving Hannover, the train passes non-stop through Wolfsburg - look out for the original Volkswagen factory on the left, built in 1938.  The train then travels at up to 280 km/h (174 mph) on the high-speed line to Berlin Hbf , where it arrives at the low-level platforms.  More information about ICE2 .  Cologne Hbf station guide .  Berlin Hbf station guide .

4. Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train

These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant car.  See the Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity page for more photos, tips & information .

5. Warsaw to Moscow by sleeper train

The Warsaw-Moscow train starts in Prague, and uses excellent Austrian-built air-conditioned sleeping-cars owned by Russian Railways, with compartments which can be used as either 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth with two lower berths or 2nd class 4-berth with all four berths in use.  There are toilets and a nice hot shower at the end of the corridor.  See panorama photo inside one of the new Russian sleepers .

Don't forget your visas...

Back to top

Option 2, using the Paris-Moscow Express

This is the most glamorous and comfortable way to reach Russia!  It's the option I'd choose, at least if its weekly schedule suited me.  A direct train run entirely by Russian Railways (RZD) links Paris with Moscow once a week all year round.  It's the safe, comfortable and civilised way to travel to Moscow, with a restaurant car throughout the journey and the option of deluxe VIP sleepers with en suite toilet & shower as well as modern air-conditioned 2 & 4 berth sleepers with washbasin and a nice hot shower at the end of the corridor.  On the route map above , t his option takes the route shown in light blue via Paris as far as Berlin, then the direct route to Moscow shown in dark blue, a total of 3,483 km or about 2,164 miles from Paris to Moscow, making it the second longest direct passenger train in Europe - the longest being another RZD train, their weekly Nice-Moscow Express.  See the Paris-Moscow Express page for more information .

London & Paris ► Moscow

Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar leaving London St Pancras at 12:24 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:47.  That allows plenty of time, although it's just an easy 10-minute walk to the Gare de l'Est .

Day 1, travel from Paris to Moscow on the Paris-Moscow Express .

It runs once a week all year round, leaving Paris every Thursday.

This train was suspended due to covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions

It leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 and arrives Moscow Belorussky two nights later at 10:58 (late March to late October) or 11:44 (outside those dates), meaning day 3 from London & Paris.

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa , and see this update on reaching Russia via Belarus .  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station .

See the Paris-Moscow Express page for more information .

Moscow ► Paris & London

Day 1:  Travel from Moscow to Paris on the Moscow-Paris Express .

It runs once a week all year round, leaving Moscow every Tuesday. 

It leaves Moscow Belorussky at 17:14 (late March to late October) or 18:17 (outside those dates) and arrives Paris Gare de l'Est two nights later at 09:40 on day 3.

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa .  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station .

See the Paris-Moscow Express page for more information . 

Day 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar , leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 11:03 and arriving London St Pancras at 12:30.

Returns are twice the one-way fare.  Children under 12 half price.

Berths are sold individually, prices are for one person in one bed.  So if you book (say) one second class ticket you will travel in a 4-bed sleeper sharing with 3 other passengers of the same sex.  There is no need to pay for sole occupancy unless you want to!

On rzd.ru, 2-cl = 2/4 = 2nd class 4-berth = one bed in a shared 4-bed sleeper. 1-cl = 1/2 = 1st class 2-berth = one bed in a shared 2-bed sleeper.  1-cl 1/1 = 1st class 1-berth = sole occupancy of a 1st class 2-bed sleeper.  De Luxe  = VIP sleeper with shower & toilet, which is always sole occupancy whether you book one person or two.  You even get a chance to select a specific berth or berths.

Method 4:  You can sometimes book this train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com with tickets collected from any French station if your journey starts in Paris, or sent to address in your home country if it doesn't.  Again, if this doesn't work, try another method.

Step 3, don't forget to arrange your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa . 

See this update on travelling to Russia through Belarus - there appears to be no problem

How to buy tickets by phone...

You can book the Paris-Moscow Express by phone with Deutsche Bahn's English-speaking telesales line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04, lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings.  If you are making a return journey or a one-way trip inbound from Moscow, please read the section above about booking westbound trains from Moscow to London , as the same may apply to the Paris-Moscow Express.  Don't forget to arrange your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa .

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Gare du Nord station guide .

2. Paris to Moscow :  See Paris-Moscow Express guide

Don't forget your visas

Option 3, the berlin -moscow swift.

Russian Railways introduced a twice-weekly sleeper train between Berlin and Moscow in December 2016. Branded Strizh ( Swift ) by the Russians, it's a little articulated Spanish Talgo train featuring a restaurant car and cosy sleepers, some with en suite shower & toilet.  Like the Paris-Moscow option it's a classy option, and faster too:  It cuts 4 hours off the journey time as the Talgo has axles which adjust in minutes from European standard gauge to 5' Russian gauge, without the need for hours in a shed being jacked up.  If you get any photos of this train inside or out, please let me know !

Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the train runs through a gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the new gauge.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa , also see this update on reaching Russia via Belarus .

Stopover in Berlin?   I have shown the fastest practicable journey here, assuming no stopovers.  But by all means leave London in the morning of day 1 rather than the evening and travel from London to Berlin in a single day by high-speed train using any of the options shown in the London to Berlin section on the Germany page .  You'd then have a 24h stopover in fabulous Berlin.  Consider the 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hauptbahnhof and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate.   Alternatively, you could leave London in the morning or even afternoon of day 1 and travel to Cologne, staying overnight in Cologne instead of Brussels.  There are so many possibilities, what you do is up to you...

This train is an articulated Spanish-built Talgo train branded Strizh (swift).  It has ordinary seats and sleeping-cars with 2nd class 4-berth compartments, 1st class 1 or 2 berth compartments with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet.  There's also a restaurant & bistro car.  Map of Moscow showing Kurskiy station .

Travelling across Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  An hour or so out of Moscow you can glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...  Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Polish frontier the train runs through a gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the European standard gauge.

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa .

Day 2, travel from Berlin to London in a single day by high-speed train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:46 by ICE2 train , changing at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3 train to Brussels Midi , then taking a Eurostar to London St Pancras arriving at 19:57.

London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).

Berlin to Moscow costs around 13,000 rubles (€181) with a bed in a 4-berth compartment, 18,000 rubles (€251) with bed in a 1st class 2-berth compartment.

Step 2, book the Berlin to Moscow train.  You can book it in either direction at the Russian Railways site www.rzd.ru .  It's a little fiddly at first, but it usually works, and you'll get a print-at-home ticket.

If you have any problems with rzd.ru, especially at the payment stage, you can easily book the Berlin-Moscow Talgo train online using the Real Russia online booking system here with a small mark-up, tickets sent to any address worldwide

4. Berlin to Moscow by Strizh sleeper train

The Strizh sleeper train from Berlin to Moscow is a Spanish-built articulated Talgo train run by Russian Railways (RZD).  Each car is relatively small, with just one axle between each pair of cars.  The axles adjust automatically from standard European gauge (4' 8½") to Russian 5' gauge at Brest, as the train passes slowly through a special gauge-changing shed at Brest on the Polish/Belarus border.

Don't forget to arrange your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa .

See this update on travelling to Russia through Belarus - there appears to be no problem .

Option 4 , by ferry from Harwich

There are some good reasons why you might prefer a ferry alternative.  For example, if there are problems affecting Eurostar or the Channel Tunnel, or if all the cheap Eurostar tickets have sold out, or if you live in the North of England, Scotland or East Anglia and want to by-pass London.  Or you might simply prefer a relaxing journey, cruising overnight on the Stena Line superferry to Hoek van Holland in a cosy en suite cabin with shower, toilet, satellite TV, have lunch in Amsterdam, then take comfortable trains to Warsaw and the daily sleeper train to Moscow.  You can buy special Rail & Sail tickets from London or any Abellio Greater Anglia rail station to Amsterdam using Stena Line's Harwich-Hoek ferry, complete with a private cabin. 

If you live in the North of England or Scotland, DFDS Seaways run an excellent daily overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden (near Amsterdam), and P&O Ferries run a daily overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Rotterdam Europoort with bus/train connections to Amsterdam.  So catch the overnight cruise ferry to Holland, spend a day exploring Amsterdam, then take the train to Russia! 

London & Harwich ► Moscow

Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail .

You leave London Liverpool Street at 18:45 Mondays-Fridays, 19:36 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

You leave Cambridge at 19:47 Mondays-Saturdays or 19:45 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

At Harwich the ferry terminal is integrated with the station.  You check in for the luxurious overnight Stena Line superferry to Hoek van Holland, sailing at 23:00 and arriving at Hoek at 08:00 next morning.  All passengers get a comfortable private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV and there's free WiFi in the lounges, bars & restaurants on 9 deck.

On arrival at Hoek van Holland you walk down the gangway, through passport control and out of the ferry terminal straight onto the station.  Take the frequent metro train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto an InterCity train to Amsterdam Centraal, arriving 10:25.

Cheap combined train & ferry tickets are offered on this route from London or any Greater Anglia rail station to Hoek van Holland, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details of times, fares and how to buy tickets .

Coming from the North of England or Scotland?   Take a train to either Hull or Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.  Transfer to the P&O overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Rotterdam or the DFDS Seaways cruise ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden, the port of Amsterdam.  Both ferries have bars, restaurants & comfortable en suite cabins, arriving next morning.  For details of timetables, fares, station to port transfer arrangements & how to buy tickets for travel to Amsterdam via each of these ferry routes, see the UK-Netherlands page .

Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:00 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 21:22.

Or take an earlier train and enjoy an evening in Berlin, for example the 11:00 from Amsterdam arrives 17:22, the 13:00 arrives 19:22.  The Reichstag is only 10 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf, the Brandenburg Gate just 15 minutes walk.

Day 3, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train , leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38, arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:11.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Warsaw Centralna station & city information .

Day 3, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 every day arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 (one hour earlier late March to late October) (day 4 from London).

This is a comfortable modern Russian sleeping-car with 1st class 1 & 2-berth compartments & 2nd class 4-berth compartments with washbasin, there's a shower at the end of the corridor.  A Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (just across the Belarus border) and Moscow.  Next morning, as the train passes through the small station of Borodino, look out for the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942'.

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa , also see this update on reaching Russia via Belarus .  Map of Warsaw showing Centralna & Gdanska stations .  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station .

Moscow ► Harwich & London

Day 3, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail .

You leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:35 by train to Schiedam Centrum, changing onto the frequent metro to Hoek Van Holland Haven.  Sail overnight on the luxury Stena Line superferry, sailing at 22:00 and arriving in Harwich at 06:30.  You sleep in a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, satellite TV and there's free WiFi in the lounges, bars & restaurants on 9 deck.  A connecting train will get you to London at around 08:55 (day 4 from Moscow).  Special SailRail tickets are offered on this route from Hoek van Holland to London or any Abellio Greater Anglia rail station, covering ferry and train, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details of times, fares and how to buy tickets .

Heading for the North of England or Scotland?   Instead of using the Hoek van Holland-Harwich route, transfer from Amsterdam Centraal by bus or train+bus to the relevant ferry terminal and sail overnight by cruise ferry either with P&O Ferries from Rotterdam Europoort to Hull or with DFDS Seaways from Amsterdam to Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.  Next morning (day 4) transfer to the station and take a train home.  For full details of train & ferry times, port transfer arrangements and how to buy tickets for each of these routes, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or the Newcastle-Amsterdam page .

Step 1, buy a Rail & Sail ticket from London to Amsterdam online as shown on the London to Amsterdam page .  One ticket covers the whole journey, train and ferry then Dutch train.

For journeys via P&O Hull-Rotterdam or DFDS Seaways Newcastle-Amsterdam, first buy your ferry ticket online at www.dfds.com (Newcastle-Amsterdam) or www.poferries.com (Hull-Rotterdam).  Then check train fares and buy a ticket online as shown on the UK page or using www.nationalrail.co.uk

a)  You can book it with no booking fee at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru .  It's a little fiddly, and doesn't always accept every overseas credit card, but does work with many payment cards,

Step 1, London to Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world.  Have a late dinner in the restaurant, retire to bed in a private cabin with en suite toilet & shower and satellite TV.  At Hoek van Holland, you walk off the ship, through passport control and straight onto the station for the frequent metro train to Schiedam & Rotterdam.  Change at Schiedam Centrum for a Dutch Railways (NS) train to Amsterdam Centraal .  The journey from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .  See the video ...

Step 2, Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train

Take a comfortable Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin Hbf .  See the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity page for photos, tips, and what to see along the way .

Step 3, Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train

4. Warsaw to Moscow to Russian sleeper train

The train from Warsaw to Moscow uses immaculate modern Russian air-conditioned sleeping-cars (pictured below, see also panorama photo inside one of the new Russian sleepers ).  The Russian cars have compartments which can be used as 1st class 1 or 2 berth or 2nd class 4 berth, shower & toilets at the end of the corridor.

Option 5, London-Moscow via Kyiv

If you want to avoid Belarus to escape the cost & bureaucracy of a Belarus transit visa and any issues crossing Belarus to reach Russia, the cheapest and easiest way to do this is to go south of Belarus through Ukraine rather than north through the Baltic states.  EU & UK citizens no longer need a visa for Ukraine and the trains work much better this way than via the disjointed rail networks through the Baltic States.

The complete journey from London to Moscow takes 3 nights, assuming you don't want to stop off anywhere, as opposed to just 2 nights on the direct route via Belarus, so although you save the cost of a Belarus transit visa it takes longer.  Going north of Belarus via Vilnius & Riga generally means an even longer 4 night journey, with yet more changes of train and at least one, possibly two nights in a hotel, although by all means do this if you want to see the Baltic capitals on the way to Russia.

Update 2024:  For obvious reasons, this route is now out of action.

Day 1, travel from London to Berlin using any of the options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example:

Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train , leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38 and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:11.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to lunch in the restaurant car with a beer or two...

Alternatively, on Mondays-Saturdays you can take the early 05:43 Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train arriving 11:11, which will give you an afternoon in Warsaw, see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  A left luggage office and lockers are available.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant ( www.ufukiera.pl ) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl ) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

Day 3, take an overnight sleeper train from Kyiv to Moscow...

There are several night trains and times vary by date, but for example there's usually one leaving Kyiv at 19:36 and arriving in Moscow Kievskaya station next morning at 10:13 (day 4 from London).  2-berth & 4-berth sleepers are available.  Check times for your date using int.bahn.de or www.poezda.net .  Incidentally, there's also a direct train from Kyiv to St Petersburg, but this passes through a small corner of Belarus, requiring a Belarus visa and so defeating the object of the exercise...

Day 1, travel from Moscow to Kyiv by overnight train...

The best train is train 5 leaving Moscow Kievskaya station at 19:35 and arriving Kyiv at 07:02 (day 2).  Other night trains are available and times vary, so check times using int.bahn.de or www.rzd.ru .  2 berth & 4 berth sleepers are available.

Spend a pleasant day exploring Kyiv...

The Kyiv Express has comfortable Ukrainian sleeping-cars with 3-berth compartments, you can book all three berths for single or double occupancy.  There may be a buffet car serving tea, coffee, beer and snacks, but it's a good idea to take your own supplies of food, water and wine or beer.  Around 4am, the train is shunted into the gauge-changing shed at Yagodin (the Ukrainian border point) and jacked up to have its wheels changed from Russian 5' gauge to standard European (4' 8½") gauge.  You remain in your sleeping-berth on board while this is done, an interesting experience.  See Tim Richards excellent blog entry about of the Kyiv Express .

Day 3, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train , leaving Warsaw Centralna daily at 12:33 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:16.  Alternatively, daily except Saturdays there's a later EuroCity train leaving Warsaw Centralna at 16:34 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:16, giving you more time in Warsaw.

Day 4, travel from Berlin to London using any service shown on the London to Germany page .  For example:

See the London to Ukraine page for prices between London and Kyiv .

Kyiv to Moscow costs around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupé or €180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon, if booked online.  Polrail.com charge about €95 for a bed in a 4-berth sleeper.

There may be a reduction if you buy both the Warsaw-Kyiv and Kyiv-Moscow tickets together, Warsaw-Kyiv-Moscow becomes £146 one-way in 3-berth to Kyiv then 4-berth to Moscow.

• You'll still need a Russian visa , but you don't go through Belarus if you go this way.

Other possible routes & options

There are several other routes worth considering, especially if you want to stop off on the way in Scandinavia, the Baltic States or Ukraine, or to avoid travelling through Belarus and so avoid the cost and hassle of getting a Belarus transit visa (although this isn't really a problem, just an expense and a bit of extra bureaucracy).  All these routes take at least 3 nights compared with just 2 nights travelling on the direct route through Belarus, so the cost of an extra day or two's food and accommodation must be set against the cost of the Belarus visa for travel on a direct train to Moscow.  These alternative routes tend to involve a bit more legwork to book, too.  If you simply want to avoid Belarus, the quickest and easiest way to do this is really to head south via Kyiv & Ukraine, see the section above .  You might not be saving much money by avoiding Belarus, but the opportunity to stop off in some fascinating places and countries makes these alternative routes worth considering.

London to Moscow via Warsaw, Vilnius & the Baltic States

London to moscow via copenhagen, stockholm & helsinki, london to moscow via copenhagen, stockholm & riga, london to st petersburg.

There are several good ways to travel from the UK to St Petersburg by train ( all routes currently suspended due to sanctions ):

Option 1:  London to Moscow, then Moscow to St Petersburg

This is the fastest and most frequent option, first travelling to Moscow, then using one of the many Moscow-St Petersburg trains.

Step 1, travel from London to Moscow as shown in the London to Moscow section above using any option you like .

Step 2, travel from Moscow to St Petersburg on any of the overnight trains, or on one of the new Sapsan high-speed day trains in just 3h55.

To buy tickets, first arrange your London to Moscow tickets as shown above .

Then book an internal Russian train between Moscow & St Petersburg using the booking form below which links to Russian rail ticketing & visa agency Real Russia, or you can use www.rzd.ru if it will accept your credit card.

Sapsan high-speed trains from Moscow to St Petersburg, in 3h55

Introduced in December 2009, the Sapsan (Peregrine Falcon) 250 km/h high-speed trains link Moscow & St Petersburg in just 3 hours 55 minutes.  The initial 3 services a day have now been increased to 5 trains each way every day.  The Sapsans have been very successful, with a 99% on-time performance and an average load factor of 80% (meaning each departure is on average 80% full).  Built by Siemens and based on the superb German ICE , they are set to revolutionise travel between Russia's two prime cities, with additional services and faster journey times to come as the line is progressively upgraded.  See the Russian railways' Sapsan video .

Traveller Ian Newberry reports:   "I travelled from Moscow to St Petersburg on Sapsan train 156 leaving at 13:00.  Departure was punctual and the staff greeting passengers could not have been better - they all speak English as well as Russian.  The service on the train was extremely good and in business class a full 3 course meal was served with wines and spirits all included in the price of the ticket.  Information was supplied through screens and announcements in English as well as Russian. The train is very comfortable and arrived 5 minutes ahead of schedule at 17.40.  If one wants to avoid a night train then this is a very civilised way to travel, on a par with any equivalent TGV or ICE available in western Europe."

Overnight sleeper trains from Moscow to St Petersburg

The best Russian Railways overnight train is the famous Krasnaya Strela (Red Arrow) leaving Moscow (Leningradski Vokzal) at 23:55 daily, arriving in St Petersburg (Moskovski Vokzal) at 07:55 next morning.  The Krasnaya Strela has 2-berth and 4-berth sleeping cars plus two luxury sleeping-cars with 1 & 2-bed rooms with private toilet shower and TV/DVD entertainment.  The fare is about 3,280 rubles (£70 or $110) in a kupé 4-berth sleeper, 5,895 rubles (£126 or $197) spalny vagon 2-berth sleeper or 16,250 rubles (£551 or $865) luxury sleeper with private shower and toilet - although there are less swish, cheaper sleeper trains.  The Krasnaya Strela has now been joined by a couple of other premium sleeper trains, train 3/4 Ekspres and train 5/6 Nicholaevsky Express .  Since 2005, there's also a privately-run luxury train, the Grand Express , with fares from 3,700 rubles.  Click for information & online booking for the Grand Express .

Option 2:  London to St Petersburg by train to Stockholm then direct cruise ferry

Travel from London to Stockholm by train, taking Eurostar & connecting trains from London to Hamburg on day 1, staying in Hamburg overnight, then taking trains from Hamburg to Stockholm on day 2.  See the London to Sweden page for full details of train times, prices and how to buy tickets .

Spend the night in Stockholm , find a hotel here .  Spend most of the following day free in Stockholm.

A new ferry company, St Peter Line ( www.stpeterline.com ), sails twice a week from Stockholm via Helsinki to St Petersburg using a luxurious cruise ferry.  She sails at 19:00 on various dates, arriving St Petersburg at 09:30 two nights later, with a day to explore in Helsinki on the way.  The return trip also takes 2 nights, with a day spent exploring Helsinki included.  See www.stpeterline.com to check sailing schedule and prices.  Other ferries on this route seem to have started up and been discontinued soon afterwards, it's hoped that this one will survive a bit longer!

Onward trains to Moscow are explained on the train travel in Russia page .

Other options

London to st petersburg via stockholm & helsinki.

If you feel like seeing a bit of Scandinavia on the way to Russia, you could travel from London to St Petersburg via Stockholm and Helsinki.  This will take 3 nights / 4 days.  See the Finland page for information on the journey from London to Helsinki, then click here for trains between Helsinki, St Petersburg & Moscow .

London to Minsk (Belarus)

The direct Belarusian sleeping-cars from Amsterdam & Cologne to Minsk were discontinued in December 2013.  However, it's still easy to get there via Warsaw or using the Paris-Moscow express.

Option 1, via Brussels, Berlin & Warsaw

This is the cheapest option, and it runs daily.

London ► Minsk

Day 1, travel from London to Berlin by Eurostar to Brussels, high-speed train to Cologne and ICE2 train to Berlin, using any of the several daytime options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example, you can leave London St Pancras at 11:04, arriving Berlin Hbf at 21:09.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant.  Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  Map of Warsaw showing station location .

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Minsk by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 and arriving Minsk at 06:13 next morning (day 3).  The sleeper train has a modern Russian sleeping-car with 4-berth compartments which can be sold as 1st class 1 or 2 berth or 2nd class 4 berth.  This train is currently still suspended due to sanctions.

Minsk ► London

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity train , leaving Warsaw Centralna daily at 12:33 arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:16.  Alternatively, a later train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 16:34 daily except Saturdays arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:16.

The Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant...

Day 3, travel from Berlin to London by ICE train to Cologne, high-speed train to Brussels and Eurostar to London, using any of the several daytime options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example, you can leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46 arriving London at 17:00 or you can leave Berlin at 10:46 arriving London St Pancras at 19:57.

Option 2, using the Paris-Moscow express

This costs a bit more, but is a very comfortable journey using the excellent Paris-Moscow express which calls at Minsk on the way.  There are comfortable sleepers direct from Paris to Minsk, with restaurant car Paris-Warsaw.  It runs once a week.

See the Paris-Moscow Express page for details of the Paris-Minsk train and how to buy tickets.

Add a connection between London and Paris at www.eurostar.com .  I'd allow at least a two hours to connect in Paris to allow for any delay.

Buy Russian train tickets online

How to arrange a russian visa..., important:  travel to moscow via belarus from 2020 onwards....

No major problems were reported by any westerners using the direct Russian Railways trains from Paris, Nice, Vienna, Berlin, Prague or Warsaw to Moscow via Belarus in 2017, 2018 or 2019, in spite of there being a theoretical issue with westerners reaching Moscow via Belarus, due to the Belarus-Russia customs union so there's no border control.

It seemed to be that as long as you had a valid Russian visa and a valid Belarus transit visa, travel from Western or Central Europe to Moscow on a direct Russian Railways international train was fine, even if it crossed Belarus.  One traveller even confirmed this with the traincrew.  The problem only arose if you want to START a train journey in Belarus to travel to Russia.  This was the actual situation in practice, regardless of any theoretical official legal situation.  This route is after all Russia's main 'front door', the main line to Moscow, the way people have always travelled since the 19th century...

UPDATE 2020   However, in early 2020 I have now had two reports from travellers who were taken off international trains at Smolensk, because they had crossed overland from Belarus to Russia.  Both reports involved a Warsaw to Moscow journey on the Berlin-Moscow Strizh.  One traveller had made a dozen similar journeys without incident since 2015 and asked why the random check now.  He was told it varied with the political ups and downs between Russia and Belarus.

So whilst the situation below seems to hold true for most westerners on most international trains and I'm still getting occasional positive reports from people who have travelled this way without any problem, you might want to consider diverting via Kyiv to avoid Belarus .

Situation in detail, prior to both updates above...

Since 2016 there has been some concern about entering Russia via Belarus, to do with the Belarus-Russia customs union and the lack of border formalities between the two countries - though of course Brest-Minsk-Moscow has been the perfectly normal mainline rail route for international travellers for over 100 years.

It seems that in practice the Russians are OK with people entering Russia on these direct Russian trains via Brest on the Polish/Belarus border as Moscow-bound passengers appear to have their Russian visas checked here. Many people use these trains every week, but so far I've had zero reports of anyone on these trains having any problem in 2016, 2017, 2018 and just one report in 2019 - but only one isolated report so other factors may have been involved.  I have had a steady trickle of positive confirmations that people have used these trains without a problem.  Polrail.com haven't heard from anyone who's had any problem using these international trains either, and nor have Real Russia.

When leaving Russia, travellers report that they simply showed the Belarus entry stamp that they received at Brest when they entered to the Belarus-Russia unified customs area, and that seems to satisfy the Russian border staff when you leave Russia.

On the other hand, you cannot start a journey in Belarus and go to Russia, as there's nowhere to check visas in between Minsk and Moscow. Real Russia tell me they had reports of people being taken off Minsk-Moscow trains and sent back to Minsk even with valid Russian visas - but so far, they tell me they've had reports from anyone having problems on the Russian-run international trains from Paris, Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna or Prague to Moscow via Brest.

By all means check the latest advice at http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belarus, although at the time I write this it simply refers you to your travel provider.  I suppose I should add the disclaimer that I can only report what I hear from travel companies and travellers, and you travel at your own risk - but read the traveller's feedback below, it seems pretty conclusive!

PLEASE REPORT BACK !!   If you successfully travel to Russia on a direct Russian train through Belarus to Moscow, please let me know .  It's difficult to prove a negative, but the more 'no problem' reports I get, the more confident we can be.

How to arrange a Belarus visa ...

Holidays to russia by train.

Tailor Made Rail...

Tailor Made Rail can arrange a flight-free holiday or tour to Russia by train, with trains, hotels & stopovers arranged for you.  Tailor Made Rail have a suggested tour package from London to Moscow via Warsaw & Berlin, and a suggested return tour via Helsinki, Stockholm & Copenhagen, see at www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/russia .  These can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round in either direction, with any stopovers you want.  They specialise in complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

G uidebooks

Click the images to buy the book from amazon.co.uk ..., hotels in moscow & russia, tripadvisor hotel reviews....

www.tripadvisor.com is a good place to find independent travellers' reviews of the main hotels.  It also has the low-down on all the sights & attractions too.

Backpacker hostels:  www.hostelworld.com

If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about the hostels.  For backpacker hostels in Amsterdam and most other European cities at budget prices (either a dorm bed or an ultra cheap private room) see www.hostelworld.com .

Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Discover the Turkish Airlines privileges that elevate the flight experience, including comfortable cabin options, a rich in-flight entertainment system and delicious treats.

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Take advantage of additional services such as seat selection, extra baggage, car rentals and travel insurance for an easy and enjoyable travel experience.

• Northern Ireland

Translink Metro

94 - city centre - holywood exchange.

A bus service operated by Translink Metro

City Centre - Holywood Exchange

Extends to IKEA

Holywood Exchange - City Centre

Timetable data from Translink open data , 29 May 2024