· The German National Railway Company provides a very useful Europe-wide train timetable enquiry service at its website, www.bahn.de (follow the "International Guests" link for the English version). According to the site, the best route is via Bucharest: leave Istanbul at 2300hrs on Day 1, arrive Bucuresti Nord at 1730hrs on Day 2; depart at 1910hrs on Day 2, arrive Chisinau (Moldova) at 0859 on Day 3, finally arriving at Moskva Kievskaja at 1613 on Day 4. Hope this helps.
Angelika Voss

· Take the Bosphor Express from Sirkeci station in Istanbul to Bucharest, arriving the following evening. Next morning, take the Bulgaria Express from Bucharest to Moscow. Both trains have sleeping cars, and both run daily; but it would be wise to check locally. Table 94d in Cook's European Timetable will elaborate further.
Trevor Howkins

· Get the ferry from Istanbul to Sochi on the Black Sea Coast. Spend some time there if you can because it is great. See Stalin's dacha, the Dendrarium, Riviera Park, the waterfalls or just walk along the seafront. Buy any souvenirs here because they are cheaper than in Moscow. From Sochi catch the overnight train to Moscow. Pay a bit extra for a first-class sleeper to get all mod cons. It is safe and comfortable and you get to see rural life along the way. It takes 30 hours, so take plenty of water and some food because the buffet car is relatively expensive but tea is available free all the time. You can also buy local delicacies from people who sell their wares on the platforms at every stop. When you get to Moscow, you can see the Kremlin very cheaply if you have your student union card. Try the new Cathedral for super views of Moscow, the Pushkin Museum and the old Arbat. Walk around as much as possible looking down every back street and alleyway for hidden architectural treasures, but do go down into as many Metro stations as you can because they are sensational. Have a great trip.
Brenda Kimmins