Leave from Thailand or China, either by luxury train or a more modest mode of transportation. You won't be able to depart from locations such as Cambodia, yet. If you want the fancy option, choose the Orient Express out of a number of Asian destinations. You could start in Singapore and travel to Bangkok, for example, and spend about $2,500. On board, you will be treated to the finest luxuries, including a bar car with live pianist.
Journey through Southeast Asia until you get to a stop that will connect you with a train bound for Russia. This is the most direct way to travel. For instance, if you go to Bangkok you can get to Moscow on the "Silk Route Railway," which will take you through Xian, Lanzhou and Urumqi, China on into Kazakhstan before chugging into Moscow. You can also go from Beijing to Moscow via the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Prepare to show all your paperwork as you enter different countries. For example, once in Russia, you must have a transit visa in order to pass on to another country. If you decide to get off in Russia for a vist up to 14 days, you will need a short-stay tourist visa. In either case, you'll need sponsorship to obtain the visa. This is something required in addition to a passport, which of course you have already brought with you. Seek advice from a travel agency. Getting sponsorship for the transit visa should not be a major obstacle. Every country has different entry requirements, so you should be meticulous with your fact checking prior to a trip. While China does not mandate transit visas for those with airline tickets for transfers between countries, you may need a transit visa for a holiday connection and will definitely need a visa for longer stays.
Connect to London by way of Eurail from the easternmost part of Europe. From Bulgaria, for example, you should be able to journey on to Bucharest, where you can grab a train to Vienna, for example. This is just one option. If you choose this route, you would take the train called the "Dacia Express." From there, you'd go to Cologne, for example, on the "Donau Currier," then onto Brussels aboard the high-speed Thalys train.
Make your final connection at Brussels by transferring to the sleek and sophisticated Eurostar, which will travel swiftly over the remaining bit of continent you've yet to traverse before delving deep into the English Channel to complete the ride.
