Rail

Yes, train travel to Australia from Britain and Europe can be done - and is an increasingly popular challenge for modern adventurers. The only part you’re going to have a problem with is the water between South-East Asia and northern Australia, which is, as yet, lacking in Chunnels, and indeed ferries. You can either fly this comparatively short leg, or hop on some sort of boat.

There are a few different routes you can take, but you’ll basically be following thousands of miles of railroad track through Europe, Russia and South-East Asia. If you keep sightseeing and stopovers to a minimum, you’ll still need to allow at least a month, and set aside at least £3,000 for the transport alone, and expect to pay a bit extra for the necessary stopovers - very few long-distance departures operate daily.

But rail travel offers you a flexibility you cannot get with sea or air travel - most networks offer stopover options, and you can create your own itinerary. In fact, you’ll have to, as we haven’t found any travel agents or tour companies who can organise you a through ticket.

For the European leg, catching the Eurostar to Brussels or Paris is a good start; and from there you’re looking at about 350 euros upwards for a one-way sleeper (shared cabin) direct to Moscow. Going via Warsaw and stopping over there can work out cheaper.

For other rail routes into Russia, try Express to Russia. From Poland or Berlin it takes up to 24 hours into Moscow, starting about 150 euros.

For the long miles across Asia your best bet is to book a bed on the famed Trans Siberian from Moscow or St Petersburg all the way to Beijing, via Siberia or Mongolia. This epic trip costs from about £1,200, which is a pretty good deal for two weeks of catered adventure and stop-offs in some of the world’s least-touristy regions.

Footage of Siberia

Arrival in Beijing will be hectic, and it pays to do the extra research on this leg, so you know exactly where you’re going in a country where language barrier is a common problem. Asia has some fabulous train services - and others much less so, so it’s worth doing some research on this leg to avoid hassles and pitfalls.

Perhaps the most straightforward route is Beijing > Hanoi > Bangkok > Kuala Lumpur > Singapore. Most of these trains are punctual, clean, comfortable and inexpensive, you may have to take a bus for parts of the journey, and you need to allow about a week if you’re prepared to miss the incredibly rich cultural sites en route. Ideally, allow yourself a month and take in the best of China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia en route!

Vietnam by train

In Singapore, you’re close to the equator and only a few hours flight from the Australian coast, but it’s the end of the intercontinental train line – the island-studded south seas are the problem. There are ferries between Singapore and Indonesia, but none between either of those places and Australia. You can catch a cruise or cargo ship if you’re lucky with the timing, otherwise a short flight to Darwin will solve the problem, and cost you about £200 - try Tiger Airways from Singapore or Garuda from Bali.

However you make it to Darwin, you’re then connected by rail to all major Australian cities - and some of the world’s epic long-distance rail journeys. See Rail Australia for routes, prices and bookings. Welcome to the sunburnt country!

Everything you need to know about rail travel to Oz can be found at the very useful Seat 61.

I’ve Done It – UK To Oz Overland!