How much did the trip cost

Excluding hotels in Beijing and Moscow, the train and visas cost around US$2300 each. We travelled high-end, and due to time-table had to get express visas, which were very expensive.

Visas

We spent around US$800 on visas for two people (US$400 each).

If you have more time, and more passports, you can use regular service (we used express) and get the cost down considerably, to around US$200 per person. Of course, if you don't go direct from Moscow to Berlin, you won't need the Belarus visa.

Chinese visa: US$200 for two pax (express)

Mongolian via: US$80 for two pax (express)

Russian visa: US$280 for two pax (express)

Belarus visa: US$200 for two pax (express)


Traintickets

We spent US$3800 for two pax (US$1900 each) traveling in a high degree of comfort. You could, of course, travel in less soft class dependent on budget.

Hong kong to Beijing: US$330 for two pax (deluxe soft sleeper - 2 berth)

Beijing To Moscow: US$1840 for two pax (deluxe softsleeper - 2 berth)

Moscow to Berlin: US$850 for two pax (first class - 2 berth)

Berlin to paris: US$400 for two pax (premier class - 2 berth)

Paris to london: US$195 for two pax (economy, friday night)

London to Glasgow: US$180 for two pax (sleeper - 2 berth)

Glasgow to Largs: US$26 for two pax (economy)

Hotels

This is of course dependent on taste. Moscow was expensive, but the hotel was good and we figured on some comfort after the long train journey.

Beijing hotel Capitol: US$200 for three nights for two pax.

Moscow, hotel Budapest: US$400 for two nights, for two pax.