New Delhi to London Road Trip

Embarking on a road trip from New Delhi to London via China and Russia is an epic adventure that covers diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and historic landmarks. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, driving 400-500 kilometers each day with 1-2 days of rest at major stops, this guide is tailored for you. Covering approximately 13,800 kilometers, this journey is not just about reaching the destination but also about savoring the experiences along the way.

Route Overview: The Safest Path to London

Driving 400-500 kilometers each day with planned rest days, the journey from New Delhi to London via China and Russia can be completed in about 35-45 days. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of the potential itinerary:

Day 1-3: New Delhi, India to Kathmandu, Nepal

• Distance: ~1,200 km

• Stops: Lucknow (~500 km), Gorakhpur (~300 km), Kathmandu (~400 km)

• Highlights: Lumbini, Chitwan National Park, Kathmandu Valley

• Recommended Stay:

  • Lucknow: Renaissance Lucknow Hotel

  • Gorakhpur: Clarks Grand Hotel

  • Kathmandu: Dwarika's Hotel (Rest Day: 1-2 days)

Day 4-6: Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa, Tibet (China)

• Distance: ~900 km

• Stops: Gyirong Town (~500 km), Lhasa (~400 km)

• Highlights: Mount Everest Base Camp, Potala Palace

• Recommended Stay:

  • Gyirong Town: Gyirong Hotel

  • Lhasa: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (Rest Day: 1-2 days)

Day 7-10: Lhasa, Tibet to Chengdu, China

• Distance: ~2,000 km

• Stops: Nagchu (~500 km), Golmud (~500 km), Xining (~500 km), Chengdu (~500 km)

• Highlights: Tibetan Plateau, Giant Panda Breeding Research Base

• Recommended Stay:

  • Nagchu: Nagchu Hotel

  • Golmud: Jin Jiang International Hotel

  • Xining: Sofitel Xining

  • Chengdu: The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu (Rest Day: 1-2 days)

Day 11-14: Chengdu, China to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

• Distance: ~3,000 km

• Stops: Xi’an (~500 km), Hohhot (~500 km), Erenhot (~400 km), Ulaanbaatar (~400 km)

• Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Gobi Desert, Mongolian steppes

• Recommended Stay:

  • Xi’an: Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel

  • Hohhot: Shangri-La Hotel Hohhot

  • Erenhot: Erenhot Hotel

  • Ulaanbaatar: Shangri-La Hotel Ulaanbaatar (Rest Day: 1-2 days)

Day 15-22: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Moscow, Russia

• Distance: ~5,200 km

• Stops: Darkhan (~400 km), Irkutsk (~500 km), Krasnoyarsk (~500 km), Novosibirsk (~500 km), Omsk (~500 km), Tyumen (~500 km), Yekaterinburg (~400 km), Kazan (~400 km), Moscow (~500 km)

• Highlights: Lake Baikal, Siberian landscapes, Kremlin in Moscow

• Recommended Stay:

  • Darkhan: Darkhan Hotel

  • Irkutsk: Courtyard by Marriott Irkutsk

  • Krasnoyarsk: Hilton Garden Inn Krasnoyarsk

  • Novosibirsk: Marriott Novosibirsk Hotel

  • Omsk: Hotel Mayak

  • Tyumen: Mercure Tyumen Center

  • Yekaterinburg: Hyatt Regency Yekaterinburg

  • Kazan: Mirage Hotel

  • Moscow: The Ritz-Carlton Moscow (Rest Day: 1-2 days)

Day 23-28: Moscow, Russia to London, UK

• Distance: ~2,500 km

• Stops: Minsk (~500 km), Warsaw (~500 km), Berlin (~500 km), Brussels (~500 km), London (~500 km)

• Highlights: Red Square, Eastern Europe, English Channel

• Recommended Stay:

  • Minsk: Hotel Europe Minsk

  • Warsaw: Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel

  • Berlin: Hotel Adlon Kempinski

  • Brussels: Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo

  • London: The Langham London (Rest Day: 1-2 days)

Total Distance: ~13,800 km
Estimated Total Duration: 35-45 days

Documents Required

For the Car:

• International Driving Permit (IDP): Required for driving in China, Russia, and Europe.

• Carnet de Passage: Essential for temporarily importing your car into countries along the route.

• Chinese Driving Permit: Mandatory for driving in China; arrange this through an authorized agency.

• Vehicle Insurance: Ensure international coverage, including third-party liability.

• Registration Certificate (RC): Proof of ownership is required at all borders.

• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: Necessary for crossing into several countries.

For the Traveller:

• Passport: Valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.

• Visas: Multiple-entry visas for China, Russia, Mongolia, and the Schengen Area.

• Travel Insurance: Comprehensive coverage, including medical emergencies and trip cancellations.

• Vaccination Certificates: Depending on the countries’ requirements.

• Chinese Driving Permit: Arrange this before entering China or at the border.

Estimated Costs

• Fuel: ₹2,00,000-₹3,00,000 (depending on vehicle efficiency and fuel prices)

• Tolls: ₹25,000-₹40,000 (varies by country)

• Visas: ₹50,000-₹1,00,000 (depending on processing fees and agencies)

• Insurance: ₹20,000-₹50,000 (car and travel insurance)

• Accommodation: ₹4,00,000-₹6,00,000 (35-45 days of stay, mid-range to luxury hotels)

• Food and Miscellaneous: ₹1,00,000-₹1,50,000

Total Estimated Cost: ₹8,00,000-₹12,00,000 (approximately)

Accommodation: Best Hotels on the Route

1. Lucknow, India:
   Renaissance Lucknow Hotel – Modern amenities and a great location for your first stop.

2. Gorakhpur, India:
   Clarks Grand Hotel – Comfortable stay with good dining options.

3. Kathmandu, Nepal:
   Dwarika's Hotel – Luxurious heritage stay with rich Nepalese culture.

4. Gyirong Town, Tibet (China):
   Gyirong Hotel – A basic but comfortable stopover near the China-Nepal border.

5. Lhasa, Tibet (China):
   The St. Regis Lhasa Resort – A luxurious base to explore Tibet’s cultural heart.

6. Nagchu, Tibet (China):
   Nagchu Hotel – A simple, comfortable hotel on the Tibetan plateau.

7. Golmud, China:
   Jin Jiang International Hotel – Modern amenities for a restful night.

8. Xining, China:
   Sofitel Xining – A luxury hotel with excellent service and comfort.

9. Chengdu, China:
   The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu – A five-star experience with top-notch amenities.

10. Xi’an, China:
    Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel – Elegance and history combined in this luxury stay.

11. Hohhot, China:
    Shangri-La Hotel Hohhot – A premium stay in Inner Mongolia’s capital.

12. Erenhot, China:
    Erenhot Hotel – A basic but comfortable stop before entering Mongolia.

13. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia:
    Shangri-La Hotel Ulaanbaatar – Modern luxury with a touch of Mongolian tradition.

14. Darkhan, Mongolia:
    Darkhan Hotel – A comfortable stop on the way to Russia.

15. Irkutsk, Russia:
    Courtyard by Marriott Irkutsk – Ideal for exploring Lake Baikal.

16. Krasnoyarsk, Russia:
    Hilton Garden Inn Krasnoyarsk – Modern comfort in the heart of Siberia.

17. Novosibirsk, Russia:
    Marriott Novosibirsk Hotel – A luxurious stay in Siberia’s largest city.

18. Omsk, Russia:
    Hotel Mayak – A riverside hotel offering a relaxing atmosphere.

19. Tyumen, Russia:
    Mercure Tyumen Center – Comfortable and centrally located.

20. Yekaterinburg, Russia:
    Hyatt Regency Yekaterinburg – Stylish and modern with excellent service.

21. Kazan, Russia:
    Mirage Hotel – Overlooking the Kremlin, this hotel offers both luxury and history.

22. Moscow, Russia:
    The Ritz-Carlton Moscow – Unparalleled luxury near Red Square.

23. Minsk, Belarus:
    Hotel Europe Minsk – A central location with elegant decor.

24. Warsaw, Poland:
    Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel – A historic luxury hotel in the heart of Warsaw.

25. Berlin, Germany:
    Hotel Adlon Kempinski – An iconic hotel offering exceptional service.

26. Brussels, Belgium:
    Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo – A blend of tradition and modern luxury.

27. London, UK:
    The Langham London – A classic hotel offering refined luxury.

Returning to New Delhi: Drive Back or Ship Your Car

Driving Back:
If you’re up for another adventure, you can plan a return trip following a similar or different route. This option allows you to explore new regions or revisit your favourite stops. The journey back would take roughly the same amount of time and cost.

Shipping Your Car:
For those who prefer to fly back, shipping your car to India is a convenient option. Shipping can be arranged from major European ports like London or Rotterdam. Costs vary depending on the service provider, with shipping fees ranging from ₹2,00,000 to ₹4,00,000. It’s advisable to hire a reliable logistics company experienced in international car shipping.

Important Tips

• Pacing Yourself: Driving 300-500 km per day with rest days ensures you can explore each region without fatigue. Plan for 1-2 days of rest at major stops to recharge.

• Permits and Regulations: Be diligent with paperwork, especially for China and Russia, where driving regulations are strict. The Chinese driving permit and Carnet de Passage are crucial.

• Border Crossings: Each border crossing can be time-consuming. Prepare all required documents in advance and research specific border procedures.

• Currency and Payments: Carry local currencies and international credit/debit cards. Remote areas might lack ATMs or card facilities.

• Vehicle Maintenance: Ensure your car is well-maintained before the trip. Carry spare parts, a toolkit, and emergency supplies, as roadside assistance may be unavailable in remote regions.

• Language and Communication: Learn basic phrases in Mandarin, Russian, and other local languages. Translation apps can be helpful.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Respect local customs, especially in Tibet, Mongolia, and rural Russia. Dress modestly and adhere to local etiquette.

This road trip from New Delhi to London via China and Russia offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, scenic drives, and historical landmarks. By pacing yourself and taking rest days, you can fully enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Safe travels!