Dare to Dream: The Longest Train Trip Awaits!

Imagine telling your friends you've embarked on the world's longest train journey—from Portugal to Singapore. Sounds impressive, right? But buckle up, because the reality is more of a logistical labyrinth than a grand adventure.

Starting Point: Lagos, Portugal

Your adventure kicks off with a simple 3-hour, 40-minute ride from Lagos to Lisbon. Easy enough, but don't let your guard down! Each ticket must be sourced separately, setting the tone for the complexities ahead.

Madrid, Here We Go!

With no direct route, you’ll navigate through Badajoz, juggling multiple bookings and regional trains. It’s a long day, but you get to witness the hidden gems of rural Iberia—something often overlooked by high-speed rail.

Speeding to Barcelona

From Madrid, the journey transforms as Spain's high-speed trains whisk you to Barcelona in just 2 and a half hours! Experience the thrill of modern rail as Renfe, Iryo, and Ouigo compete to give you a luxurious ride.

Bridging to France

Next up, a smooth 6-hour, 45-minute TGV connection to Paris awaits—your last uninterrupted leg before a bumpy journey lies ahead.

The Disappearing Link: Paris to Moscow

Once a reliable sleeper train service, the Paris-Moscow route vanished in 2019 due to the pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This loss creates a significant hurdle to completing the ambitious route.

Epic Cross-Continental Adventure: Moscow to Beijing

Before recent geopolitical shifts, you could easily travel from Moscow to Beijing in six days using the Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian routes. Now, options involve tricky detours and extra transfers, with ongoing visa and political challenges adding to the frustration.

Exploring China

The full stretch from Beijing to Kunming covers a vast expanse of China, with high-speed trains shortening the travel time to 11 hours. Here, the railway still runs largely as intended, showcasing breathtaking landscapes along the way.

New Rail Links: Kunming to Vientiane

The newly minted 9.5-hour train linking Kunming to Vientiane opened in 2021, offering one of the few hassle-free experiences on this complex route. A modern railway experience awaits!

Overnight to Bangkok

The overnight train from Vientiane to Bangkok takes about 13 hours, allowing for swift border checks without passengers leaving their bunks—a commendable efficiency.

Navigating Malaysia's Gateway

At the Malaysian border, the transition to Thai regulations is impressively smooth, occurring right on the platform—such a rarity amidst the complicated connections prior.

From Border to Capital

Enjoy a comfortable 6-hour ride from the border to Kuala Lumpur aboard Malaysia's ETS electric trains, where the scenery, though not postcard-perfect, offers a refreshing change of pace.

The Final Stretch

A 2-hour, 30-minute ride to Gemas marks the end of the electrified track, compelling travelers to switch to slower diesel trains for the last leg to Johor Bahru. After such an epic journey, the final stretch provides a slower pace.

The Last Hurdle: Entering Singapore

Just a five-minute ride across the Causeway takes you from Johor Bahru to Woodlands Station, where immigration checks signal the symbolic end of this wild journey. However, the direct line to central Singapore was dismantled in 2011, leaving this revered trip one step shy of complete.

The True Challenge: Why Few Attempt It

With numerous closed borders and separate ticketing systems, completing this incredible journey is not merely about the miles; it’s a strategic game of logistics that few are willing to tackle.