General Information - Trans-Siberian or Silk Road
Experience the adventure of travel on the Trans-Siberian or Silk Road trips in style by private luxury train.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to bring towels, or dressing gowns?
- What happens if I have special dietary requirements?
- What happens when I arrive at the airport?
- What happens if I am delayed and miss my flight?
- Where and how do I get my visa?
- Is there a doctor on board at all times?
- Are there any sort of communication links while we are on board?
- Are the guides English speaking?
- What about other foreign languages?
- Are there soaps and shampoos on board?
- What is the voltage on the trains?
- How will I know what clothing to bring for the various climates we travel through?
- Is the water safe to drink?
- Currency, what should I bring?
- What about credit cards and travellers cheques?
- What is the dress on board the trains?
Do I have to bring towels, or dressing gowns?
No our trains operate similar to a hotel. We provide you with bath robes, towels and slippers, so you will not have to pack these. We also provide hairdryers.
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What happens if I have special dietary requirements?
Please let our reservations department know about any special dietary needs you may have when you make your booking. Our restaurant staff can cater for most special diet requests.
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What happens when I arrive at the airport?
When you arrive at the airport, please proceed through the passport control and collect your baggage, after which you will go through customs. Upon exiting our representatives will be waiting with a GW Travel/The Trans-Siberian Express signs which note your tour. Please go to them and they will then transfer you to your hotel, or where the tours begins.
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What happens if I am delayed and miss my flight?
You will be sent, prior to your departure, update letters which provide you with information about your tour. In your final update pack you will receive a 24-hour Emergency Contact Card with numbers of our representatives in both the country of your arrival, and at our offices in the UK. If you have any problems please contact the persons on that card.
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Where and how do I get my visa?
Most visas need to be applied for well in advance, and you’ll need a visa support letter prior to applying. Visas are required for most nationalities travelling to Russia and Mongolia, your Russian visa needs to be a double entry visa. The cost for visas for British Passport holders is approximately £155 for a normal service or £245 for an express service. Our recommended visa company is Brit Education Travel – full details will be supplied at time of booking.
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Is there a doctor on board at all times?
GW Travel/The Trans-Siberian Express Company provides a doctor, who travels with the train and passengers at all times, on board every full train departure in Russia, the former Russian Republics, Mongolia and China. Our doctors are (highly) qualified professionals who are available 24-hours a day and are responsible for primary health care. They do carry medicines (necessary for their treatment), but if you are taking prescription medication, please bring enough supplies to last for the duration of your trip.
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Are there any sort of communication links while we are on board?
Yes, the Trans-Siberian Express train has a satellite phone system on board which operates at all times (we use the computer when the train is stopped as reception is best when the train is not moving). You can send and receive emails (there is a charge for this service), but please do not send or receive attachments. They will shut the system down. Messages need to be sent in plain text format. The China Orient Express train does not have a satellite system, but we stop en-route, and you are able to send emails when we stay over in hotels. Most mobile phones work on the various routes we travel, except Inner Mongolia, where coverage can be limited. GW Travel representatives will be able to help you with any questions you may have.
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Are the guides English speaking?
Yes, we provide on-board Tour Managers who are fluent in English, and Tour Reps who will be at your disposal to translate should the need arise. Our off-train guides speak fluent English, and other foreign languages, if required.
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What about other foreign languages?
For our guests who speak a language other than English, we provide guides that are fluent in the language you require. Your agent knows, that at the time of the booking, to request a translator and guides which speak the language of their clients.
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Are there soaps and shampoos on board?
Yes, on the Trans-Siberian Express you will receive a toiletry bag, which features Russian bath products. On the China Orient Express there is hand soap in the washrooms.
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What is the voltage on the trains?
The Trans Siberian Express has dual 110/220 voltage. The China Orient Express has 48 volts in the rooms and 220 in the corridors Two pin European and Three pin British sockets are available on both trains.
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How will I know what clothing to bring for the various climates we travel through?
Please contact us for any questions you may have regarding temperatures. In general, Russia’s climate features four seasons with Moscow and St Petersburg reaching 28 – 25 degrees Celsius in the summer, and sometimes well below 0 degrees in the winter. China’s temperature is similar.
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Is the water safe to drink?
The water on both trains is not drinking water. Your attendants, who are on duty 24 hours a day, will provide you with fresh bottled water round the clock. There is also bottled water in the bathrooms for brushing your teeth. In China this applies to both on the train and in the hotels. (In Russia this applies only in St Petersburg and on the train.) Food on board is washed with bottled water so please don’t worry about compromised standards of hygiene.
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Currency, what should I bring?
On board the train you will not need much currency, but there are personal charges such as laundry and bar bills which will need to be paid. Currency accepted on board is US Dollars, and we recommend you travel with small denomination, clean bills. For souvenirs and shopping you choose to do off the train, you will be advised by your guides on how, and if necessary, to change money.
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What about credit cards and travellers cheques?
ATM machines are now available in all large towns and cities along our routes. All the hotels that we use accept major credit cards. Travellers cheques are virtually impossible to exchange.
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What is the dress on board the trains?
During the day dress is casual both on and off the train. In the evening we suggest smart casual.
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General Information
Included in the price
Accommodation on board the train; hotel accommodation as per the itinerary; all meals starting with dinner on the first day, alcoholic beverages and water served with all lunches and dinners on and off the train. Arrival/departure transfers all guided off train programmes; services of experienced tour leaders; complimentary tea, coffee, mineral water 24 hours a day; all gratuities; a doctor.
Not included in the price
Charges of a personal nature; any optional excursions; drinks in the bar car; visa and excess baggage charges; insurance and laundry services.
Passport & Visa Information
It is your responsibility that you are in possession of a valid passport and visa for your trip. A passport with a minimum of 6 months validity is required for all rail tours. Visa costs are not included in the price of the tour and these must be purchased independently. We do not take any responsibility for passengers in possession of incorrect or invalid visas. Our reservations department is able to provide support and advice regarding visa requirements.
Vaccinations
We strongly advise that you consult your doctor or a medical centre for specific health advice on the countries you will be visiting. Please note that an English speaking doctor travels on board every train to ensure peace of mind to our guests. The doctor carries basic medical supplies but it is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations, prescribed and precautionary medicine for the countries you are visiting prior to travelling.
Insurance
It is a booking condition that all passengers are fully insured for cancellation cover and any medical expenses that may be incurred whilst travelling. Comprehensive travel insurance policies can be obtained by GW Travel Limited. Please ask for details.
Itineraries
Accommodation and tour itineraries are subject to change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control and where we feel we can make improvements to the original. Every effort will be made to operate tours as advertised and as per the rail timings received.
Gratuities
All gratuities are included in the tour price and our train crews are strictly forbidden to accept gratuities from guests. We would prefer passengers to inform our management of any exceptional service received, and GW Travel will reward accordingly.
Hotel Accommodation
Hotel accommodation as described in the tour itinerary is included in the price of the tour. All hotels are of a 4/5 star standard unless otherwise stated. Room upgrades are available on request, subject to availability.
Meeting Points
Details of hotel/airport meeting points will be printed on the tour vouchers and departure packs that will be received 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
Minimum Passenger Requirements
All our rail tours require a minimum passenger number to operate. Should this not be reached, GW Travel will offer a modified service to accommodate a smaller group (such as attached carriages to regular services rather than a dedicated full train departure), or offer an alternative tour. If no suitable alternative is available a full refund will be offered.
Language
The tour language will be English.
Traveller Health Conditions
We expect that passengers must be able to walk at least a mile per day at normal walking speed. The traveller represents that neither he/she has any physical or mental condition or disability that could create a hazard to him/herself or other members of the tour. GW Travel reserves the right to refuse travel to anyone who, in the opinion of the tour doctor or tour manager would be incapable of completing the tour or would cause unacceptable delays to the rest of the group. In these circumstances there would be no refund for any unused part of the tour. Special arrangements can be made for passengers with limited mobility. Please ask for details.
Payment of the tour price constitutes acceptance of the above terms and conditions.
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How to book
Call now on
0844 482 1010
