Driving To China From The UK

[uber]

I really want to see China but am terrified of flying. I was talking with a friend who told me his cousin drove to China from Romania and it took him about 4 days.

This got me thinking about a road trip, I know its possible but unsure if its really that safe as some of the countries on the map look a bit dangerous

Anyone think its possible

[thehawk]

It would take a bit longer than 4 days.

Just fly and be done with it, learn what it feels to be alive.

[pacman1]

I'd imagine your travel insurance premium might buy you 6 months in the Maldives, all inclusive!

[pokethepope]

pacman1 said:

I'd imagine your travel insurance premium might buy you 6 months in the Maldives, all inclusive!

or the best drugs/therapy to get you over your fear of flying and 4 months in China!

[ymwoods]

If you actually want to take your time and enjoy the drive then make sure you take a LOT longer than 4 days! so much to see and hear and feel!

The best bet is to just find out what bits to avoid and which to visit then plan a route arount that...but DO NOT put stringent time limits on like I must be at this point by 6pm on the third day as rushing to get there will ruin it for you.

Do make limits as you don't have forever, obviously, but make them easy to keep to even if you decide to stop early or stay at a certain place for a while.

No point if you get out of the car each day knackered from all the driving, as it wasn't really a PH Drive then...might aswell go and circle the M25 for a few days.

[heebeegeetee]

uber said:

I really want to see China but am terrified of flying. I was talking with a friend who told me his cousin drove to China from Romania and it took him about 4 days.

This got me thinking about a road trip, I know its possible but unsure if its really that safe as some of the countries on the map look a bit dangerous

Anyone think its possible

It's possible, and probably a million times less safer than flying.

A pal of mine is trying to put a motorcyle trip to China together. (He rode to Vladivostock about 3 years ago).

One of the biggest ball-aches is that apparently a foreigner can not travel in China without a guide. As regards my pal, the last I heard was that he'd made contact with a family who wanted to drive to China, my pal wanted to accomopany them which would mean the guide would ride in their car. Last time i heard there was going to be the one car and two bikers, inc my pal, and the guide coul;d accompany the lot of them.

I think my mates wife has been putting the kybosh on the trip though, i'll try and find out what the latest is.

[Funk]

If you're hell-bent on this, speak to Rach* as she's done it.

[cptsideways]

Turn right at Mongolia

A few friends have done similar, its a LONG way but all said it was worth it, consider it a few months trip though to see all the sights. And dont forget you might arrive arrive in China but the other end of it is another month away

[uber]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys, this does look like it could be done!

I also found this site which opens up a whole new world off possible adventures!

http://www.seat61.com/

[v15ben]

It is fairly straight-forward though not exactly cheap to go by train. Seat 61 will have all the advice you could ever need. I went to a lecture by the guy who set up the Seat 61 site and he was discussing the UK to China options. It sounds like an incredible trip, but will take plenty of time. Also if you don't like flying, for God Sake don't get on a domestic flight in China

[Alfachick]

I am going to be taking the train to China from Aberdeen in the autum. Will let you know how it goes and roughly how much it costs, if you havent gone by then

[louiebaby]

Alfachick said:

I am going to be taking the train to China from Aberdeen in the autum. Will let you know how it goes and roughly how much it costs, if you havent gone by then

I'd be very interested to read about it, keep us updated!

Spotted this the other day...

http://gizmodo.com/5488996/chinese-high+speed-rail...

Im not scared of flying, just don't like it. I would consider this in a few years if it ever works.

[Bill]

heebeegeetee said:

One of the biggest ball-aches is that apparently a foreigner can not travel in China without a guide.

It's pretty straight forwards otherwise.

[Mr Gearchange]

Have you got any idea how much more dangerous driving to China would be than flying?

[Bill]

Mr Gearchange said:

Have you got any idea how much more dangerous driving to China would be than flying?

I'm not sure being terrified of flying is particularly rational.

[5MUG]

My sister drove the other way - China to here, well Paris. It was the 1998 Peking to Paris rally. All that way in a Volvo Amazon called Gordon!

[DBSV8]

Alfachick said:

I am going to be taking the train to China from Aberdeen in the autum. Will let you know how it goes and roughly how much it costs, if you havent gone by then

Go Via Trans Siberian Railway .........but book a "" Lux "" Compartment

great scenery through Siberia

[DangerousMike]

DBSV8 said:

great scenery through Siberia

tree
snow
tree
snow
snow
tree

[maser_spyder]

v15ben said:

Also if you don't like flying, for God Sake don't get on a domestic flight in China

I don't like flying, and I have a load of these next week....

And I'm vegetarian.

Fun fun fun.

As for not flying, it's a very long drive! Once you're in China, definitely have a local to be with you, aside from the law (which as a foreigner you'll be above), you'll get a whole lot more out of it.

It's also a very different place across the country, the North is totally different to the South (excluding Beijing / Shanghai).

Loads to see though, you could spend years there and not see the half of it.

[DBSV8]

DangerousMike said:

DBSV8 said:

great scenery through Siberia

tree
snow
tree
snow
snow
tree

snows melting now !!.................soon be + 30c and mossie season !!