Embarking on what might be the ultimate rail odyssey isn’t for the faint-hearted—but if you’ve ever dreamed of trading airport lounges for clattering carriages, this epic voyage from Portugal to Singapore could be your ticket. Imagine three weeks of ever-changing landscapes, new friendships struck over midnight snacks and the gentle lull of steel wheels on steel rails. Ready to tackle your next adventure?
From Portugal to Singapore
Your journey begins in Lagos, a sun-drenched town on Portugal’s southern coast. From there, the first chug takes you to Lisbon, where tram lines and pastel-coloured façades will set the tone for what’s to come. After a swift connection to Hendaye on the French side of the Basque Country, you’ll glide north-west to Paris—city of lights, cafés and, if you’re lucky, a shared table full of fellow travellers swapping stories.
But the real marathon starts when you board the Trans-Siberian Express for a staggering 40-hour leg to Moscow. It was here, as I watched snow-dusted birches blur past my window, that the enormity of the trip really sank in. From the Kremlin’s imposing walls, you’ll head east over the steppe into Beijing—a journey of roughly seven days and 160 hours on the rails, according to railway aficionado Mark Smith of Seat61 (Seat61.com, 2021).
Once in China’s capital, it’s southbound through Laos—thanks to the newly opened rail link, you won’t have to hike to border posts, just settle in for tropical vistas. Next stop: Thailand’s vibrant cities and markets, followed by peninsular Malaysia, where Kuala Lumpur’s skyline greets you. Finally, a short hop takes you to Johor Bahru, and then across the causeway into Singapore, where the skyline of glass and steel signifies journey’s end.
13 countries and just 0.08 tonnes of CO₂
Over 21 days, you’ll cross 13 nations and navigate no fewer than seven visas—a true exercise in visa juggling. Budget-wise, plan on around €1 250 for rail tickets alone (excluding accommodation and meals), making this haul pricier than a round-trip flight. Yet, numbers from the International Energy Agency make a compelling case for the rails: a Lisbon–Singapore flight emits about 1.67 tonnes of CO₂ per passenger, whereas this train marathon registers a mere 0.08 tonnes (IEA, 2022). All things considered, that’s a powerful argument for sustainability on the move.
Of course, you’ll need to factor in a handful of overnight transfers and layovers—each a chance to explore hidden corners of station towns and perhaps find a cosy hostel bar where stories flow as freely as the local brew.
Whether you’re an avid ferrovipathe or simply curious about a journey that pushes boundaries, this 18 755 km epic offers a front-row seat to the world’s shifting horizons. It demands patience, meticulous planning and a taste for spontaneity—and in return, it rewards you with memories as vast and varied as the continents you traverse. Pack a journal, brush up on visa requirements and prepare to discover how small the world truly feels when viewed from a train window.
I’m Jules, passionate about current events and travel. Curious about the world, I explore trends, analyze events, and share my discoveries. Through my insights and stories, I take you across the globe to fuel your curiosity and thirst for adventure.
