> From Poland, travellers have two options: travel through Belarus, which requires a transit visa one must apply for in person that takes days to process; or take the slightly longer but more sensible option, which is to continue north through the Baltic states and then continue east to Russia, which would add a day and some euro to your bill but would remove some of the hassle.

Actually the sensible option is to turn south and go through Ukraine - the overnight train to Kiev is pretty pleasant, and from there you have plenty of options to Moscow.