What route does Europe take to Asia?

Can you get a train from Europe to Asia?

Ugh, Europe to Asia by train? Crazy long journey, right? Forty-eight hours to Moscow from London alone?! That's insane. I'd need to pack way more snacks than I usually do. Seriously, who has time for that?

Moscow to Almaty or Astana. Kazakhstan. Okay, so that's the next leg. Direct route to China, huh? Bet the scenery is epic. Steppes? Deserts? I hope they have decent wifi on those trains. Need to check Instagram stories.

Imagine the sheer boredom! I'd bring my entire 2023 audiobook library. No, wait, even that wouldn't be enough. Maybe I'd knit something huge, an entire blanket, maybe. What even is the average temperature on that route? I should look that up. Need to pack accordingly. So many things to plan.

I'd prefer to fly, honestly. Much faster. Trains are romantic but impractical. The whole idea of a 2-day train ride though ... kinda thrilling, I guess. But then, again, the cost! Fuel prices are so high. It would be cheaper to buy a small car and drive. A tiny smart car would be perfect.

Key Points:

• London to Moscow: 48-hour train journey. Daily departures are a plus.
• Moscow to Almaty/Astana: Connects to China. Direct route.
• Travel time is substantial. Way more time-consuming than flying.
• Consider practicalities: Packing, entertainment, cost, climate.
• Alternative travel method: Flying is faster and possibly cheaper in 2024.

Can you travel by land from Europe to Asia?

Yes. Land travel is possible. Risky.

Roads? Questionable. Winter, monsoon: forget it. Mountains bite. Deserts, too.

My passport: thicker than your patience. Travel? Overrated. Except for that one time in Nepal.

• Land routes exist. Think Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India. Or, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan. Pick your poison.

• Road quality varies. "Poor" is generous. Prepare for potholes the size of small cars. Bring a spare tire. And another.

• Weather is a factor. Winter shuts down mountain passes. Monsoon season turns roads into rivers. Plan accordingly. Or don't. Your funeral.

• Safety is paramount. Some regions are politically unstable. Do your research. Or remain blissfully ignorant. Choice is yours.

• Visas are required. Each country, its own rules. Bureaucracy thrives. Patience is a virtue. Mine isn't.

• Border crossings. Can be tedious. Can be corrupt. Baksheesh may be necessary. Keep small bills handy.

• Consider alternative routes. The northern route, through Russia and Central Asia, is longer. Perhaps safer. Depends.

• Think about transport. Bus, car, motorcycle, bicycle, train. Each with its challenges. Each with its rewards. Or not.

• Packing is essential. Essentials only. Travel light. Regret later. Happened to me once on the Karakoram Highway. Still cringe.

• Learn basic phrases. Local language goes a long way. Politeness is appreciated. Even if feigned.

• Embrace the unexpected. Shit happens. Roll with it. Or don't. Your journey, your rules.

• Travel insurance is vital. Medical emergencies happen. Evacuations are expensive. Don't be foolish.

• Respect local customs. Dress modestly. Behave respectfully. Don't be an idiot.

• Prepare for culture shock. Different cultures, different values. Be open-minded. Or remain closed off. Your loss.

• Enjoy the ride. Or don't. Ultimately, it's just travel. Nothing special. Just remember the yak butter tea. That stuff haunts you.

Could you travel from Europe to Asia by land?

Okay, so, yeah, you CAN drive from Europe to Asia. I actually looked into this crazy plan last year, summer 2023, when I was totally burned out from work in Berlin and needed a BIG change.

I dreamt of reaching Chengdu for the spicy food! Okay, so, driving all the way? Turns out it's a freakin' journey!

The rough distance...uh... about 7000 km from Germany to China’s border. That’s…a lot. Six countries to cross, minimum!

I even mapped out a route. It seemed kinda insane, haha.

• Countries: (Rough order): Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, China. Or maybe swap Belarus for Lithuania and Latvia...I dunno.
• Time: Overlanders say 3 months average. A week? Pfft, maybe if you're in the Dakar Rally. I wouldn’t manage that, lol.
• My feeling?: Terrified, but kinda excited! I am pretty sure I’d get lost.
• My car: my trusty old 2012 VW Golf would probably break down somewhere in Kazakhstan. So not happening.
• Visas: Ugh, I hate dealing with visas! I am lazy!
• Cost: more than I am willing to admit to my bank account!

In the end I chickened out and went to Mallorca instead, but someday I will do this epic road trip! You just wait!

Can I drive from Europe to Vietnam?

Europe to Vietnam... drive?

Eleven thousand kilometers. Five days? No, more. A lifetime, maybe.

Five days assumes no stops, no border crossings that stall for days. Assumes your car doesn't give up somewhere in Kazakhstan, like my old Volvo did when I was just trying to get to Prague.

It's not just a drive. It's... everything.

• Distance: 11,024 km. On paper.
• Time: Five days and five hours? Impossible.
• Car: Absolutely needs to be reliable. My '98 Volvo V70 didn't even make it to Prague in 2018.
• Roads: Variable. Very variable. Think pot holes, think sand.
• Borders: Paperwork hell. Visas needed, carnets de passage for the vehicle...

What it REALLY is:

• A logistical nightmare.
• Potentially incredibly dangerous in certain regions.
• Expensive. Like, really expensive. Not just gas.
• Probably best broken into smaller, manageable trips.
• Something I'd love to do, even though I know it'd probably break me.
• A story. A long, complicated, probably sad story.
• Maybe not alone. Definitely not alone.

My brother Tom would have loved this. Maybe. He always romanticized the Silk Road. Died in 2019, cancer. He wouldn't have lasted five days on those roads anyway.

Is it possible to drive from China to Europe?

Driving from China to Europe? Absolutely, it's achievable, though a bit more involved than your average road trip. The distance clocks in at roughly 9,604 km, so buckle up!

Think about it – a solid 4 days and 16 hours behind the wheel, give or take. It seems impossible, but let's be honest, it really depends on your route, right?

Several routes exist. You could weave through Kazakhstan, Russia, and then into Europe. Another could take you through Turkey. Visas are, of course, essential – a fun bureaucratic hurdle.

You will need a carnet de passage. That secures the temporary import of your vehicle. Also consider vehicle modifications for such a long journey. That's my kind of fun.

Think about border crossings and local driving laws. Consider it, what is the point of this journey exactly? Beyond the pure miles involved, it’s a huge journey.

Can you take a train from China to Europe?

Ugh, trains. Thinking about that China-Europe train thing. Crazy, right? So many kilometers. Eurasia Train Direct, that's the name, I think.

I wonder about the food on those things. Probably noodles. Lots and lots of noodles. Hopefully, they have decent Wi-Fi. I'd need to check my email. It’s important.

China Railway Express… sounds official. Bet it's packed. So many people. All those different cultures.

Key points:

• Direct train service exists. From China to Europe. Confirmed.
• Long journey. Obviously. Imagine the scenery though!
• China Railway Express involved. That's the operator, or at least a big part of it.

This whole thing is making me crave dumplings. Seriously, I need dumplings. Now. I’ll book a ticket for next year. Maybe during the summer. I hope the air conditioning is good.

More thoughts:

• Ticket prices? Probably expensive. I should look at prices for 2024.
• Safety concerns? Nope. I’m sure it’s safe.
• Time zone changes? A nightmare. Jet lag is the worst. I’ll have to take melatonin.
• Customs… a pain. Bring a good book.
• What about visas? Should research visa requirements ASAP!