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Sapsan Trains - Unofficial Guide to Russian High-Speed Trains

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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 .

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi .  ICE3neo photos courtesy of OM the rails

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

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi .  ICE3neo photos courtesy of OM the rails .

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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Text: A A A Print Business

Long-haul cargo train turns popular among exporters.

Export of home appliances from Shenyang and surrounding areas picks up pace amid rising geopolitical tensions affecting maritime trade

Recently, drivers of forklift trucks were seen busy loading boxes containing 400 televisions into a rail container at the assembly center of China-Europe freight train services in Shenyang, Liaoning province.

The TVs were scheduled to arrive in Moscow in early June, where they will be distributed and sold at various department stores and e-commerce platforms across the country.

"We mainly export home appliances to Europe. There is a risk of component corrosion with maritime transport, and the cost of airfreight for home appliances is too high," said Guan Jun, vice-president of Shenyang Zhicheng Trading Co Ltd, a Shenyang-based foreign trade company.

After comparing various options, Guan said the company chose the China-Europe freight train services in 2022. It takes about 12 days to reach Russia and about 16 days to reach Germany from Shenyang.

This long-haul cargo train service has become a popular option for the export of home appliances from Shenyang and its surrounding areas, with an increasing number of companies choosing the cargo train service, he added.

Data showed that from January to April this year, Liaozhong Customs, a branch of Shenyang Customs, supervised the export of over 3,300 TVs worth more than 9.4 million yuan ($1.3 million). The majority of them were shipped by the Shenyang-Europe freight train services.

Exporters and business leaders said rising global geopolitical tensions and security concerns in the Red Sea maritime passage will further increase the importance of the China-Europe freight train services, a critical complement to China-Europe trade this year.

The hesitance shown by global shipping companies to use the Suez Canal may continue to impact China-Europe trade this year, putting operational costs for businesses under pressure on both sides, said Lin Meng, director of the Modern Supply Chain Research Institute at the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

In response to disruptions in international shipping due to security concerns in the Red Sea region, many freight forwarders have adopted rail services as an alternative mode of transportation between China and Europe, said Lin.

As these challenges persist, the role of the China-Europe freight train services in supporting international commerce will continue to evolve and expand over the long run, said Li Muyuan, executive vice-president of the China Container Industry Association in Beijing.

Together with the China-Laos railroad service and China-Central Asia freight trains, regional connectivity and business connections between China and these regions will be further enriched, Li added.

That sentiment is in line with the latest data.

The number of China-Europe freight train services grew by 10 percent year-on-year to 6,184 trips in the first four months of 2024, data from Beijing-based China State Railway Group Co Ltd (China Railway) showed.

About 675,000 20-foot equivalent units of goods were transported via freight trains during this period, up 11 percent on a yearly basis, according to the country's railroad operator.

By the end of May, about 90,000 China-Europe freight train trips had been completed in total, serving 223 cities across 25 European countries.

Since its inception in 2011, the range of products transported by the China-Europe freight train services has grown significantly, from just 53 items to over 50,000 products by the end of April, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

Numerous cities have introduced tailored services, including dedicated trains for transporting specific goods like timber, tea, edible oil and new energy vehicles, said Zhang Tao, deputy director of the GAC's department of port control.

Eager to reach more destinations in Europe and other regions, China Railway has initiated transport testing for the China-Europe freight trains from Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Chongqing, and Yiwu, Zhejiang province to Poti, Georgia, and Istanbul, Turkiye, this year.

Other new routes have also been opened.

These include Harbin, Heilongjiang province to Tilburg in the Netherlands; Shijiazhuang, Hebei province to Belgrade, Serbia, and Qingdao, Shandong province to Moscow.

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Miniature art exhibition restores lifestyle of hong kong people, gorgeous scenery of qumar river, north headwater of yangtze river, wild animals appear at the foot of kunlun mountains, rescue work underway in first ancestral hall of hakka, guilin combats the city's most severe flooding since 1998, badain jaran desert gets on 'green' look, china-malaysia ties in numbers, 30th beijing international book fair kicks off, hong kong streets decorated to celebrate hksar's 27th anniversary, huangmao cross-sea channel fully connected, rescue teams rush to transfer flood-trapped people in guilin, chinese vocational school student ranks 12th in alibaba global math competition, world's largest liquid air energy storage demonstration project expected to be commissioned by end of the year, shenzhen window of the world celebrates 30th anniversary, in numbers: c919 sees more take off, in numbers: chinese economy extends upward trend, photo exhibition on china-laos railway opens to public, flood in fuzhou turns jinshan into 'isolated temple', russia-born giant panda cub lives happily at moscow zoo, wild red-crowned cranes forage in sunshine, ancient egyptian cultural relics unveiled in shanghai, black-necked crane in xizang embraces newborn babe on father's day, grassroot super league in full swing on the highland, high-speed sleeper train linking beijing, hong kong begins service, 2nd xinjiang barbecue festival wows visitors at grand bazaar in urumqi, heavy rain hits fujian province, shipwrecks shed light on ancient maritime silk road, china-new zealand relations in numbers, black-necked crane baby learns foraging on its first day of life, drones carry out plant protection in cotton fields in xinjiang, theme concert of sino-u.s. youth friendship held in beijing, exhibition of iranian cultural relics opens in shanghai, tibetan opera performance shines in lhasa, 38th international travel expo to open in hong kong, giant panda xiang xiang celebrates her 7th birthday in tokyo, most popular in 24h, more top news.

• Two holiday periods set scene for summer travel boom
• China aims to start construction of world's biggest particle collider in 2027
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• Rainfall continues to batter southern China
• Economy to stay on upward trajectory amid headwinds

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China launches new astronomical satellite developed in cooperation with France

I-29 fully reopened from Sioux City to Sioux Falls, travel adivsories still in place

UPDATE (2:45 P.M.)

SOUTH DAKOTA (KTIV) - Interstate 29 is fully reopened both northbound and southbound from Sioux Falls, past the South Dakota/Iowa state line and into Sioux City.

The South Dakota DOT says ome water remains on the outside shoulders but levels are expected to drop throughout the day.

Travel advisories remain in place on all state highway sections in southeast South Dakota that are experiencing flooding. Motorists are reminded to respect all road closures and not drive around barricades. Motorists should not use secondary highways to avoid road closures or highway obstructions. Driving into floodwater areas can lead to potentially dangerous or life-threatening situations.

Go to https://sd511.org to view all current road closures travel advisories, and highway obstructions.

PREVIOUS (NOON)

One lane of southbound Interstate 29 has reopened to traffic from Sioux Falls to the South Dakota/Iowa state line.

Some water remains on the surface and traffic is being guided through the area with flaggers. Drivers will need to reduce speed and use caution as they proceed through the impacted area. Northbound I-29 remains impassable at this time at exit 50 (Centerville) and exit 62 (Canton).

No travel advisories remain in place on all state highway sections in southeast South Dakota that are experiencing flooding.

Driving into floodwater areas can lead to potentially dangerous or life-threatening situations.

Please visit https://sd511.org or download the SD511 mobile app to view all current road closures, no travel advisories, and highway obstructions.

Several miles of Interstate 29 in South Dakota between Sioux City and Sioux Falls are closed after flood waters covered the roadway.

According to the South Dakota Highway Patrol, I-29 from mile marker 59 to mile marker 64 is now closed.

While detours are available, state officials say they are limited because of flooding on county roads.

The recommended detour route from Sioux City, Iowa to Sioux Falls, South Dakota is:

• US-75 from Sioux City to Jct State Route 60 at Le Mars, IA
• State Route 60 to Jct US-59 southeast of Worthington, MN
• US-59 to I-90 at Worthington, MN
• I-90 to Jct I-29 at Sioux Falls, SD

The recommended detour route from southern South Dakota to Sioux Falls, SD is:

• SD-48 from I-29 to Jct State Route 12 in Akron, IA
• State Route 12 to Jct State Route 3 in Akron, IA
• State Route 3 to Jct US-75 at Le Mars, IA
• US-75 to Jct State Route 60 at Le Mars, IA
• State Route 60 to Jct US59 southeast of Worthington, MN

No travel is advised between Beresford and Tea.

For the latest road conditions, visit South Dakota’s 511 page.

Copyright 2024 KTIV. All rights reserved.

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Top European court says Russia breached rights in Crimea after takeover

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Europe’s top human rights court ruled Tuesday that Russia was responsible for a string of human rights violations in Crimea since overrunning and later illegally annexing the Black Sea peninsula in 2014.

The European Court of Human Rights said in a lengthy written judgment that Moscow was responsible rights violations including reining in freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of assembly.

Russia also breached international humanitarian law by imposing its laws on the occupied peninsula, the Strasbourg-based court ruled.

The court said there was “a pattern of retaliatory prosecution and misuse of criminal law and a general crackdown on political opposition to Russian policies in Crimea, which had been developed and publicly promoted by prominent representatives of the Russian authorities.”

World & Nation

Zelensky to Europe: A Russian victory in Ukraine would lead to the unthinkable

Ukrainian President Zelensky is all over Europe, including at the G-7. His message? Ukraine’s war with Russia and Putin is Europe’s fight, too.

June 13, 2024

The court is the legal arm of the Council of Europe, the continent’s foremost human rights body, which expelled Russia from its ranks more than two years ago following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The expulsion means that the court has no enforcement powers over Russia.

However, the ruling could bolster cases filed by individuals seeking reparations.

Moscow maintains that it rightfully took over Crimea after an overwhelming majority of local residents voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia in a referendum. It has continuously rejected accusations of human rights violations in the region.

Ukraine and most Western governments, including the U.S., the U.K., France and Germany, condemned the annexation of Crimea as illegal, calling the referendum a sham.

It’s Russia versus the West again, this time playing out in tiny Georgia

In the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia, a Russia-style bill targeting civil society and independent media nears final enactment amid protests. Critics see a Kremlin hand.

May 28, 2024

In its written ruling, the court ruled that Russia was responsible for breaches including enforced disappearances and the abuse of Ukrainian soldiers, ethnic Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars and journalists.

It also held Moscow responsible for discrimination including the harassment and intimidation of religious leaders, cracking down on non-Russian media and banning public gatherings and expressions of support for Ukraine as well as suppressing the Ukrainian language in schools.

The decision Tuesday by the Strasbourg-based rights court comes six months after the top United Nations court ruled that Moscow breached an international treaty on eradicating racial discrimination by limiting school education in the Ukrainian language and by maintaining a ban on a Tatar representative assembly called the Mejlis.

More to Read

International court seeks arrest of Russian officials over attacks on Ukrainian power plants

June 25, 2024

U.S., EU add sanctions on Russia for Ukraine war, Navalny’s death

Feb. 23, 2024

1st Russians are punished over rainbow-colored items after LGBTQ+ ‘movement’ is outlawed

Feb. 5, 2024

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Election latest: 'You are the problem': Sunak attacks David Tennant - as leaders prepare for debate

Rishi Sunak has hit out at Doctor Who actor David Tennant. Meanwhile, a man has been arrested in the Westminster honeytrap scandal - and the row over election betting continues. It comes head of the campaign's last head-to-head between the prime minister and Keir Starmer tonight.

Wednesday 26 June 2024 12:41, UK

• General Election 2024
• Bulletin: What you need to know this lunchtime
• Man arrested in Westminster honeytrap scandal
• 'You are the problem': Sunak attacks David Tennant
• Lib Dem leader admits betting on 2010 general election
• Coming up: Sunak and Starmer in one last debate
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges:  Alliance | Conservatives | DUP | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid | Reform | SNP | Sinn Fein | Workers
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage:  Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts:  Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | How to watch election on Sky News

Like night follows day, lunchtime comes with a Politics Hub bulletin.

Here's what you need to know from the morning, and what's still to come later today:

• The election gambling scandal certainly isn't going anywhere, with the BBC reporting more than a dozen Tory candidates and officials are facing scrutiny from the watchdog ;
• Conservative minister Mel Stride told Sky News it had become a "disappointing" distraction from the campaign, while Labour's Liz Kendall said the party suspending one of its own candidates for betting showed how seriously they were taking it;
• The Liberal Democrats have called for a review into the rules around betting, though leader Sir Ed Davey admitted he put money on the 2010 election ;
• Politics At Jack And Sam's talks at length about what's become known as "gamblegate" below:
• In an entirely separate political scandal, a man has been arrested in the Westminster honeytrap affair ;
• This is the case of a number of MPs and parliamentary staffers receiving suspicious messages from unnamed senders;
• Met Police said a man had been arrested on suspicion of harassment and offences under the Online Safety Act .
• Elsewhere, Rishi Sunak has attacked David Tennant after the actor said he wished minister Kemi Badenoch would "shut up";
• The Doctor Who star laid into her position on trans and women's rights while being honoured at the British LGBT Awards;
• Ms Badenoch had said she would "not be silenced" by the "rich, lefty, white male celebrity", and Mr Sunak has now told him: "You are the problem."

And there are two important things to remind you of this evening.

Firstly, if you don't have any photo ID, then 5pm is the deadline to apply for an ID certificate you can use at the general election. 

That's also the deadline to apply for someone to vote on your behalf if you can't make it to the ballot box on 4 July - known as a proxy vote.

The other thing to make note of is the final head-to-head debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer , hosted by the BBC tonight.

We will have live coverage here in the Politics Hub from 8.15pm - join us for updates and analysis.

The Conservative Party has come under fire from Martin Lewis over a tweet using a clip of him speaking about a conversation with a "senior member of the Labour Party".

In the 22-second video, the "money-saving expert" and consumer champion was saying he had discussed an unnamed policy with them.

He said the senior Labour member - who he did not name - told him the policy is something they want to implement, but is not in the manifesto because they cannot commit to it.

It is apparently their "aim" to do it in the next parliament.

But the Conservatives wrote in their tweet it shows Labour will put up taxes, writing: "Labour have said they wouldn't put up your taxes. But it's now becoming clear that they have every intention to put them up."

Hitting back at the Tory party, Mr Lewis wrote: "NOWHERE in this comment do I talk about taxes.

"And the policy that I discussed (I will keep private as it was private) was NOT about taxes, or tax rises, it was about something that would be a positive change."

The Conservative Party has been contacted for comment.

A new poll from Ipsos has shown Labour is maintaining its lead going into the final week of the general election campaign.

The Tories are continuing to slump, falling four points to 19%, leaving Labour with a 23-point lead.

Meanwhile, Reform UK is continuing to surge, recording its highest ever score with the pollster.

Here are the full results:

• Labour: 42% (-1)
• Conservatives: 19% (-4)
• Reform UK: 15% (+6)
• Lib Dems: 11% (+3)
• Greens: 7% (-2)

The poll is of 1,402 adults, conducted by phone from 21 to 24 June. The changes are from their poll conducted between 31 May and 4 June.

More than one in three say they may change their mind before the election (36%) - and that was at 27% at this stage before the 2019 election.

21% of those who might change their mind are considering Labour, 19% the Lib Dems and 14% the Greens, 7% are considering the Conservatives and 7% Reform UK.

64% of voters say they are voting for the party that best represents their views, while 19% are voting tactically, the pollster said.

In bad news for Rishi Sunak, 83% are dissatisfied with the way the government is running the country - which is the worst score for a government in Ipsos' records at this stage of a campaign going back to 1979.

71% do not think the Conservatives deserve to be re-elected - an increase of four points since early June - while only 16% think they do (-4).

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are preparing to debate head-to-head for the second and final time of this general election campaign.

The BBC's Mishal Husain - who also chaired a seven-way leaders' debate earlier this month - will referee the contest that will last 75 minutes, starting at 8.15pm this evening.

It will be in front of a live audience , that has been chosen by pollster Savanta, rather than the BBC.

It will include Conservative and Labour supporters, in addition to undecided voters.

Which side of the stage the two men will stand on will be decided by a coin toss - as will the order in which they deliver their closing speeches to the nation.

It is likely to be one of the biggest live audiences of the campaign, allowing the two men to potentially reach millions of voters.

The debate will run straight through the full 75 minutes, without any breaks .

In an article for the BBC, Husain said she will be "nudging the two men back to what was in the question, clarifying points, and yes, probably having to call a halt from time to time".

She said she wants "spontaneity and energy" from tonight's contest: "A proper debate, really, rather than speech-making."

We will have live coverage of the debate here in the Politics Hub, and when the debate ends at 9.30pm, we will have live analysis and reaction here and across Sky News - do join us.

Sir Ed Davey has admitted placing a bet on the 2010 general election.

Speaking to journalists on the campaign trail, he revealed he'd put money on the number of seats his party would win at that contest - but lost.

The Lib Dems ended up in coalition with the Tories, and Sir Ed was a minister during the subsequent five years.

Sir Ed also said he can't be sure whether any of his party's candidates have placed a bet on this year's poll.

Speaking to broadcasters this morning, he said: "I can't speak for every single Liberal Democrat candidate across the country, of course I can't. 

"I really hope they would have behaved in the proper way."

Sir Ed said he has not personally placed any bets "on this election".

Was the Gambling Commission to make him aware of any problems with his party's candidates, he "would follow the recommendations".

'We can't allow this to happen again'

Sir Ed said he was "shocked" by the scandal engulfing the Tories in particular.

He drew a distinction with his 2010 bet, noting how those involved this time might have benefited from inside knowledge.

"The idea that people who had privileged access in Number 10 and may well have known the date of the general election, placing a bet when they knew the outcome, that is wrong," he said.

The Lib Dems are calling for a review of gambling laws, adding: "We can't allow something like this to ever happen again."

If you don't have any photo ID, today is the deadline to apply for an ID certificate you can use at the general election. 

This is called a Voter Authority Certificate - and you have until 5pm to apply online.

Tap here if you need to do that.

Remind me... what are these certificates all about?

This is the first time people voting at a UK general election will need to provide photo ID.

There are 22 different types of ID you can use - including passports, driving licences, and other travel passes.

You can find a full list below:

But if you don't have one, get a Voter Authority Certificate.

To apply online here , you must have already registered to vote.

You also need a recent photo and your National Insurance number, or some other way of proving your identity - like a bank statement.

Remember, you have until 5pm. Don't forget!

It has been confirmed that former Dutch PM Mark Rutte will be the next secretary general of NATO after being selected by the alliance members this morning.

He will succeed Jens Stoltenberg on 1 October, who is stepping down after 10 years leading the alliance.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has congratulated Mr Rutte, writing on X he's "confident" he would continue Mr Stoltenberg's "outstanding work in keeping NATO strong and united, as we work to strengthen our collective defenec and support Ukraine's fight for freedom".

The defence secretary, Grant Shapps, added his congratulations, saying Mr Rutte is "the right person to lead our alliance".

He also made a political point, saying: "Together we must push towards a new NATO standard of 2.5% by 2030, for all allies’ defence spending."

The Tories have committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence, but Labour only will when the economic conditions allow.

As we reported yesterday, four men were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass in the grounds of the prime minister's home.

The incident took place at Rishi Sunak's constituency address in Kirby Sigston, North Yorkshire, while he was attending events in London to mark the Japanese state visit.

The arrests were connected to a protest by campaigners from Youth Demand. It describes itself as a group of young people who want "the Tories and the Labour Party to commit to a two-way arms embargo on Israel, and to stop all new oil and gas licences".

A spokesperson for the group said three of those arrested were taking part in the demonstration, while the fourth person was an independent photographer.

North Yorkshire Police said they have been released on conditional bail "to allow for further enquiries".

"The investigation remains ongoing," the force added.

We spoke a short while ago to Labour's Liz Kendall, and we asked about the party suspending one of its candidates, Kevin Craig , after it emerged he is under investigation for betting against himself to win his constituency.

Ms Kendall said he was suspended because "people want politicians to abide by the rules just as they have to, and they want leaders who, when they see a problem, take action".

She said Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wants "the very highest standards for our candidates and members of parliament".

We put to Ms Kendall that either Mr Craig reckoned he's going to lose, so might as well profit from it - or worse, that he planned to throw the race and profit from doing so.

She replied: "My personal take is I'm in the business of winning, and I'm in the business of change.

"My focus is not on betting on the next election. It is fighting for the next election and the next government."

She went on to say that she does not know why he made the bet, and that their "entire focus is on convincing people that if you want change, you've got to vote for it".

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