HK to UK overland...

Has anyone returned to the UK from HK overland rather than flying? What route/transport did you use.

Usual route is rail through Beijing and Moscow (although via Warsaw is fractionally cheaper). Remember you will need visas for Belarus, Russia and Mongolia. Approximate costs (backpacker style) London-HK are:



Rail fares

London to Moscow: £300

Moscow to Beijing: £155, plus £45 ticket delivery charge

Beijing to Hong Kong: £75



Visas

Belarus: £45 (including £20 fee)

Russia: £75 (including £20 visa support letter and £25 fee)

China: £50 (including £20 fee)

Mongolia: £60 (including £20 fee)



Accommodation

Two nights in Beijing hostel - £8



If (when) the heating fails on the Mongolia stretch, it is minus 20 degrees C, so take an extra T-shirt.



You can do it in about a week if you don't mind headaches, cramp and constipation. A month is more fun.



It is a well-trodden route, so you can get all your visa questions answered at a site like the "thorntree" forum of www.lonelyplanet.com



Happy travels!