I lived in China for a year after my graduation, and am currently planning a return visit. I can find information on the journey between Moscow and Beijing, but I'd like to do the whole trip by train if I can, and I'm struggling to find how I go about travelling from London to St Petersburg? Paul Miller, Liverpool

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: The train trip to St Petersburg will take you four days and three nights, but it'll get you into the spirit of train travel, and you'll be able to say you went to China overland.

First it's the Eurostar to Brussels, then an overnight train with Deutsche Bahn to Berlin, and from there it's the "Moskva Express" to St Petersburg, which takes another two nights.

The train service to Berlin is excellent, with new carriages, smart couchettes, with ensuite loo and showers, and a bistro car. On your final leg, there is no restaurant car, so stock up on supplies before you set off, and note that the train passes through Belarus on its journey, so you will need the appropriate transit visa for Belarus.

You are best off speaking to one of the specialist rail travel agencies like Europeanrail.com (020 7619 1083), which can book you a standard class one-way fare from £300, or a return from about £400. Or try Ffestiniog Travel (01766 516050), or Deutsche Bahn (08718 80 80 66).

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