Train buffs and adventurous souls alike love the idea of a long, multi-country train journey, often romanticizing the experiences and nostalgia of classic rail travel. The notion of a journey spanning continents, crossing borders, and weaving through cultures in a single trip excites people who appreciate the unique rhythm of life on the rails.
When it comes to epic train journeys, one stands out: a journey from Portugal to Singapore, crossing Europe, Asia, and Southeast Asia, taking you on an adventure that spans vast distances, offers countless experiences, and promises unforgettable memories.
But how long is this train journey exactly? And how can it be done? Let’s break down the ultimate train adventure, step by step, and explore just how far you can travel by train from Portugal to Singapore.
The Ultimate Train Journey: Portugal to Singapore
This journey, often hailed as the longest possible train journey across the Eurasian landmass, takes travelers from the sunny shores of Portugal to the vibrant, modern streets of Singapore. It spans several countries and requires careful planning, particularly when it comes to border crossings and rail schedules.
For those up for the challenge, however, this incredible train journey will take you across vast swathes of the globe, all from the comfort of a sleeper cabin or a high-speed railcar.
Step 1: Portugal to Moscow – Starting in Lagos
Your journey begins in Lagos, a charming coastal town in Portugal’s Algarve region. From here, you’ll head to Lisbon, where the real train journey begins. You’ll board a sleeper train bound for Hendaye, a French town on the Spanish border, where you’ll make a switch to the French rail network. From Hendaye, you’ll travel through Paris, one of Europe’s most iconic cities, before boarding a direct train to Berlin, followed by a connection to Warsaw. From Warsaw, you’ll continue your journey eastward to Moscow.
- Estimated distance so far: 4,000 km
- Ticket costs: Approximately $500 USD
The train systems in Western Europe are famous for their punctuality and comfort, so expect smooth transitions between cities, especially in countries like France and Germany. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to take in some iconic European landscapes, from the vineyards of France to the forests of Germany and Poland.
Step 2: Moscow to Ulaanbaatar – Entering Siberia
Now we’re entering the heart of the journey. While the famed Trans-Siberian Railway may no longer be fully operational due to political and military factors, it is still possible to travel by train from Moscow to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. This section of the trip covers a staggering 6,260 km and takes around 100 hours, giving travelers a real taste of Siberia’s remote beauty.
The route passes through the Ural Mountains, where Europe meets Asia, and traverses vast swathes of Siberian wilderness, including deep forests, frozen lakes, and seemingly endless flat plains. Once you leave Russia and cross into Mongolia, the landscape shifts dramatically as you enter the Gobi Desert, a place where the air is dry, and the vastness is humbling.
- Distance: 6,260 km
- Ticket cost: ~$600 USD (Moscow to Ulaanbaatar)
Here, travelers can expect basic facilities on the train. The trains are not luxurious, but they offer a unique experience. The long hours on the rails will test your patience, but the views of Siberia’s unspoiled nature make it all worth it. In addition, you’ll likely encounter some fascinating fellow travelers, whether it’s fellow backpackers or Mongolian locals.
At the Mongolian border, you’ll need to make a switch in the town of Zamiin-Uud, where you’ll board a local train heading to the Chinese border town of Erenhot. This change is necessary due to halted train services into China, but it adds to the adventure as you experience yet another border crossing.
Click to check out our Mongolia Tours.
Step 3: China – Beijing to Kunming
Once you’ve crossed into China, you can board a high-speed train to Beijing, where you’ll likely want to take a few days to explore the ancient and modern wonders of the Chinese capital. From the Forbidden City to the Great Wall, Beijing offers a rich blend of history and culture. However, the train journey doesn’t stop here.
From Beijing, you’ll board another train, this time heading south to Kunming, a journey that spans approximately 2,700 km. This leg of the trip is faster than most, as China has some of the world’s most advanced and efficient high-speed trains. The Beijing to Kunming high-speed train can cover the distance in about 12 hours, making it one of the fastest long-haul train journeys in the world.
- Distance: 2,700 km
- Ticket cost: ~$120 USD
As you travel south, you’ll experience the dramatic change in landscape. From the bustling urban centers of China’s northern regions, you’ll enter more rural areas, transitioning into the subtropical climate of southern China. The countryside here is lush, filled with rice paddies, rolling hills, and small villages that feel a world apart from the frenetic pace of the northern cities.
Step 4: China to Laos – Kunming to Vientiane
One of the most recent additions to the global rail network is the China-Laos Railway, which connects Kunming, China’s southernmost major city, to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The railway has significantly reduced travel time between the two cities, making it possible to cross from China into Southeast Asia by train in less than 10 hours. This portion of the train journey takes you through beautiful mountains and valleys before reaching the sleepy capital of Laos.
- Distance: 1,035 km
- Ticket cost: ~$50 USD
This modern and sleek rail service is a stark contrast to the older, slower trains of Siberia and Mongolia, but it represents the forward-thinking nature of China’s investment in rail infrastructure. In Vientiane, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the laid-back atmosphere of Laos, a country that has yet to be overrun by mass tourism but is home to some of Southeast Asia’s most stunning natural beauty.
Step 5: Southeast Asia – Vientiane to Bangkok, KL, and Singapore
From Vientiane, you’ll hop on another train, this time heading to the Thai border. Upon crossing the Mekong River into Thailand, you’ll take the scenic train ride through the lush, tropical landscapes that characterize much of Southeast Asia. The train journey continues southward into Malaysia, where you’ll eventually reach Singapore, the final destination of your incredible train journey.
- Distance: 2,500 km
- Ticket cost: ~$150 USD
This final stretch of the train journey is one of the most exciting, as you get to witness the cultural and geographical transitions between three very different countries. From the ancient temples of Laos to the modern skyscrapers of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, this leg of the trip provides a fascinating glimpse into the diverse cultures and landscapes of Southeast Asia.
The Final Tally: Distance, Time, and Cost
- Total Distance: ~18,755 km
- Time Required: ~3 weeks (depending on stopovers)
- Total Cost: ~$1,400 USD in train tickets
Why Take the Longest Train Journey?
You might ask yourself: why endure three weeks of border crossings, long hours on trains, train food, and questionable toilets when you could simply fly from Lisbon to Singapore in under 24 hours? The answer is simple—this is the ultimate train journey adventure.
The journey offers far more than just a mode of transportation. It is a chance to experience cultures and landscapes in a way that you simply cannot when flying over them at 30,000 feet. Along the way, you’ll see everything from the sun-drenched beaches of Portugal to the rugged beauty of Siberia and the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert. You’ll pass through vibrant cities like Moscow, Beijing, and Bangkok, while also spending time in less-traveled destinations like Ulaanbaatar and Vientiane.
For the eco-conscious traveler, the carbon footprint of this train journey is much smaller than that of a flight. A trip by train from Portugal to Singapore results in just 0.08 tonnes of CO2 emissions, while a flight from Lisbon to Singapore would emit a staggering 1.67 tonnes of CO2. Go Thunberg you!
Realistically though and if you are not of the Greta persuasion then you do this quite simple because you love epic train journeys…
Alas YPT do not offer this trip (yet) although we are working in a few things. For now keep an eye on our Worldwide Adventures.
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