World's Longest Train Journeys: New Record with Portugal to Singapore

Rosemary December 29, 2021 | 20:29

If you are not in a hurry to reach your destination and want to slow down the time, then the world’s longest train journeys are your cup of tea.

What Are The Longest Train Journeys In The World? Photo KnowInsiders

The longest train journeys in the world are very long! These journeys can take a number of days and cover thousands of miles.

Travelling by train would also significantly reduce the carbon emissions of the journey.

Portugal to Singapore could be the longest train journey in the world of 2022.

The opening of a new train line in Laos in December 2021 has just created the longest continuous train journey in the world.

Travelling all the way from Lagos in Southern Portugal to Singapore, it takes you through Paris, Moscow and Beijing. And at 18,755km, experts estimate completing the full journey would take 21 days.

So, here are the journeys that take the longest in the world today:

1.Portugal-Singapore (11,654 miles)

2.Moscow to Pyongyang (6,379 miles)

3.The Trans-Siberian Railway (5,772 miles)

4.Toronto to Vancouver (2,775 miles)

5.Shanghai to Lhasa (China) - 2,717 miles

6.Indian Pacific: Sydney to Perth (Australia) - 2,704 miles

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What Are The Longest Train Journeys In The World?

1.Portugal-Singapore (11,654 miles)

Photo tripzilla

Lasting at least 21 days and covering 11,654 miles, it is the ultimate challenge for train buffs.

Experts believe a new record has just been set for the longest possible continuous railway journey.

Thanks to the opening of a railway in Laos earlier this month, it is now possible to travel from Lagos, in southern Portugal, all the way to Singapore by train with just a few changes.

The 11,654-mile journey could be done in 21 days allowing for overnight stays to make connections and sort out visas and other paperwork, say experts.

It tops the previous longest possible rail trip by around 1,000 miles and has been made possible by the opening on December 2 of a railway connecting the Laotian cities of Vientiane, the capital, with Boten, near the Chinese border.

The journey, which does require some very short interchanges between stations, has been calculated by users of the Reddit website with help from British train enthusiast Mark Smith.

Travelling all the way from Lagos in Southern Portugal to Singapore, it takes you through Paris, Moscow and Beijing. And at 18,755km, experts estimate completing the full journey would take 21 days.

Before now, a continuous train journey on this route would have ended in Vietnam and only gone on for around 16,898km. To then travel to Singapore, passengers would have had to catch a bus from Saigon, through Cambodia to Bangkok.

But on 2 December this year, a high-speed rail line opened connecting Kunming in China to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. This means those looking for an extreme trip by train can now get between Beijing and Bangkok then on to Singapore - creating the new longest continuous train journey in the world.

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Embarking on this monumental trip would take you through 13 different countries from Spain, Poland and Belarus in Europe to Mongolia, Thailand and Malaysia on the Asian leg of the journey.

The time it would take was calculated by British train enthusiast, Mark Smith who runs a website that advises on long journeys like this.

There are of course a few overnight stops included in the 21 day journey time, that Smith says are to allow for visas, paperwork and making connecting rail trips. Some short hops across cities to different railway stations would also be needed and booking tickets for the entire trip could cost around €1,200.

2.Moscow to Pyongyang (6,379 miles)

Photo lecomtech

Technically, this was the longest train service in the world, up until February 2020, when services from Russia into North Korea were suspended.

It used much of the Trans-Siberian route for its journey.

Operated by the Korean State Railway, it stretched 10,267km (6,379 miles) and had 157 stops, taking eight and a half days.

3.The Trans-Siberian Railway (5,772 miles)

Photo Railly News

Traveling more than 10,000 km in nearly a week and crossing time zone after time zone, Trans-Siberian is the longest passenger train journey in the world. This is an extraordinary journey and absolutely a great way to explore the vastness of the largest country in the world. Constantly changing landscapes of Russia, China, and Mongolia as well as the endless beauty of Siberia will leave you spellbound. This epic adventure will surely test your patience but if you are open to this incredible adventure, then it will be a ride of a lifetime for you.

While traveling across the Trans-Siberian route, the train crosses the 16 major rivers, 497 bridges, 87 major cities, 876 stations, 3 countries, and 2 continents. You will cross a whopping number of 8 time zones while traveling on this route. This train journey is a time machine, while traveling from east to west, you will be traveling backward in the time zone.

Route: Moscow – St. Petersburg – Perm – Yekaterinburg, Omsk – Novosibirsk – Krasnoyarsk – Irkutsk – Ulan De – Naushki (Russian Border) – Suhe Bator (Mongolian Border) – Ulan Bator – Dzamin Uud (Mongolian Border) – Erlian (Chinese Border) – Zabaikalsk (Russian Border) – Manzhouli (Chinese Border) – Harbin – Beijing – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok Key Stops: Perm, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan Bator, Beijing, and Khabarovsk. Distance Covered: 10,214 km Travel Time: 7 days, 20 hours, 25 minutes Train Fair: $805 PP (2nd Class Bunk), $1,600 PP (1st Class)

Route: Moscow – St. Petersburg – Perm – Yekaterinburg, Omsk – Novosibirsk – Krasnoyarsk – Irkutsk – Ulan De – Naushki (Russian Border) – Suhe Bator (Mongolian Border) – Ulan Bator – Dzamin Uud (Mongolian Border) – Erlian (Chinese Border) – Zabaikalsk (Russian Border) – Manzhouli (Chinese Border) – Harbin – Beijing – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok

Key Stops: Perm, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan Bator, Beijing, and Khabarovsk.

Distance Covered: 10,214 km

Travel Time: 7 days, 20 hours, 25 minutes

Train Fair: $805 PP (2nd Class Bunk), $1,600 PP (1st Class)

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4.Toronto to Vancouver (2,775 miles)

One of the greatest train journeys across the globe, The Canadian is one of the longest train route in the world. This trans-continental train takes 4 nights to reach Vancouver from Toronto. Traveling on the historic route of Canada and passing through the endless fields of prairies, beautiful carves of Rockies, and serene West Coast.

Take a sip of your favorite wine or the world’s finest coffees and gaze at the enchanting view of the blue skies, bright yellow fields of canola, or placid coastlines of Vancouver. This train journey is the perfect way to get a glimpse of the true beauty of Canada.

Photo Canadian Train Vacations

Route: Toronto – Sudbury – Sioux Lookout – Winnipeg – Saskatoon – Edmonton – Kamloops – Jasper – Vancouver

Key Stops: Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper

Distance Covered: 4,446 km

Travel Time: 3 days, 12 hours

Train Fair: $4,655 PP (Prestige), $1,785 PP (Sleeper plus Class), $444 PP (Economy)

5.Shanghai to Lhasa (China) - 2,717 miles

Renowned as Z164, Shanghai to Lhasa train is not only the longest train ride in China, however, it is one of the longest train trips in the world. Traveling across eight provinces of China, the Shanghai-Lhasa train travels amid the mountainous terrains and allows you to marvel at the scenic beauty of this vast country. Delight in the awe-inspiring landscapes while savoring the traditional Tibetan and Chinese cuisines is an experience on its own.

Photo tibet vista

This is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, which runs from the lower plains to higher plateaus. You can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Qinghai Lake, Tanggula Mountains, and Nagchu Grasslands during the voyage. The train is also equipped with an oxygen supply system as the high-altitude region like Lhasa has a lower oxygen level as compared to the plains.

Route: Shanghai – Suzhou – Wuxi – Nanjing – Bengbu – Xuzhou – Zhengzhou – Xi’an – Lanzhou – Xining – Delingha – Golmud – Anduo – Nagchu – Lhasa Key Stops: Suzhou, Xi’an, Lanzhou, Golmud, Nagchu Distance Covered: 4,373 km Travel Time: 2 days, 30 hours Train Fare: CNY 1,310.5 (Soft sleeper), CNY 841.5 (Hard Sleeper), CNY 402.5 (Hard Seat)

Route: Shanghai – Suzhou – Wuxi – Nanjing – Bengbu – Xuzhou – Zhengzhou – Xi’an – Lanzhou – Xining – Delingha – Golmud – Anduo – Nagchu – Lhasa

Key Stops: Suzhou, Xi’an, Lanzhou, Golmud, Nagchu

Distance Covered: 4,373 km

Travel Time: 2 days, 30 hours

Train Fare: CNY 1,310.5 (Soft sleeper), CNY 841.5 (Hard Sleeper), CNY 402.5 (Hard Seat)

6.Indian Pacific: Sydney to Perth (Australia) - 2,704 miles

Indian Pacific makes it on the list of the world’s longest train journeys. Traveling from one coast to another and making an epic transcontinental crossing, the Indian Pacific train offers you a fabled journey. This eastbound voyage transforms the majestic views of your window from skyscrapers to the forested valleys, sandstone cliffs, and to spectacular landscapes.

You will cross the stunning Blue Mountains, the arid region of South Wales, and a desert landscape of Broken Hill. Also, explore the Living Desert Sculptures and Pro Hart gallery during the one-hour tour in Broken Hill.

Photo Australian Traveller

Savor the regionally inspired meals and enjoy the luxurious journey on board. Marvel at the remotest landscape of Rawlinna and Barossa Valley while enjoying the culinary delights of Hahndorf. Indian Pacific is a ‘bucket list’ experience, which one must take once in a lifetime.

Route: Sydney – Broken Hill – Adelaide – Cook – Rawlinna – Perth Key Stops: Broken Hill, Barossa Valley, Nullarbor Plain Distance Covered: 4,352 km Travel Time: 4 days, 30 hours Train Fare: From $1819 PP California Zephyr: Emeryville (San Francisco) to Chicago California Zephyr: Emeryville (San Francisco) to Chicago

Route: Sydney – Broken Hill – Adelaide – Cook – Rawlinna – Perth

Key Stops: Broken Hill, Barossa Valley, Nullarbor Plain

Distance Covered: 4,352 km

Travel Time: 4 days, 30 hours

Train Fare: From $1819 PP

California Zephyr: Emeryville (San Francisco) to Chicago