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Lisbon to Singapore: The World's Longest Train Journey

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  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. singapore-the-world-s-longest-train-journey.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 18:15 GMT by Daily Express

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The world’s longest train journey – from Lisbon to Singapore

If you’ve ever imagined a train ride that would take you from the Atlantic coast of Europe all the way to the bustling city of Singapore, the latest travel feature in the Express takes that dream to reality. Titled “Travel: The world’s longest train journey – Portugal to Singapore,” the article charts a 9,500‑kilometre (almost 6,000‑mile) odyssey that stitches together the best rail networks of the Old and New Worlds. Though no single service runs this route end‑to‑end, the piece shows how a traveller can piece together a network of tickets, visas and connections to experience a journey that is both epic in scale and intimate in detail.

The route in a nutshell

The route begins in Lisbon, Portugal’s sun‑kissed capital. From there the train hops into Spain, passing Madrid and Barcelona before gliding north into France. A quick stop in Paris is a highlight, with the chance to soak in the city’s legendary café culture and the looming silhouette of the Eiffel Tower. Next, the journey crosses the Rhine Valley in Germany, heading eastwards to the historic city of Berlin. The European leg continues into the heart of Russia, with the rail line cutting through the wide plains of the Ural region and into Moscow.

Once in Moscow, the journey transitions onto the famed Trans‑Siberian Railway. The train sweeps across the vast Russian steppe, traverses the Siberian taiga, and stops in key hubs like Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. From Irkutsk the line continues through Mongolia – a lesser‑known but spectacular section of the Trans‑Siberian – and then onto the city of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of the vast steppe nation.

After leaving Mongolia, the train enters China, passing through the bustling metropolis of Beijing and the scenic Gobi Desert, before reaching the city of Harbin in northeastern China. It then continues into Southeast Asia via a network of rail links that ultimately bring the traveller to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A final leg on the Malaysian rail system takes the train into Singapore, where the journey’s dramatic finale awaits.

The entire route stretches almost 9,800 kilometres, which, depending on connections and layovers, would take between 120 and 160 hours of travelling time – roughly five to seven days – if the traveller were to chain the links together as smoothly as the article suggests.

Why it matters

The article foregrounds the notion that a “longest train journey” is less about the distance travelled than about the variety of cultures, landscapes and histories that a traveller can absorb in one trip. It paints a vivid picture of the diversity of the railway experience – from the high‑speed, punctual trains of France and Germany to the slow, scenic pulls of the Trans‑Siberian, and the modern yet culturally rich services of Malaysia and Singapore.

The piece also underscores how rail travel, even over such a long distance, can be more sustainable than air travel. It highlights that the environmental footprint of the train is significantly lower, especially when the journey is booked with services that use electric traction for parts of the trip (particularly in the European segment).

Practical tips

To make a journey of this scale feasible, the article offers practical advice:

1. Tickets and Visas: Each country has its own railway operator, and ticketing is largely done on a segment basis. For Europe, Eurail or Interrail passes provide flexibility, while the Trans‑Siberian can be booked via Russian Railways or through third‑party operators that specialize in long‑haul Asian routes. Travelers must also secure visas for Russia, Mongolia, China, and any other intermediate countries.

2. Timing and Layovers: Many of the stops, especially in Moscow and Irkutsk, require overnight stays. The article suggests booking a small number of nights in hotels along the route to give travelers a chance to rest and explore local cuisine.

3. Currency and Connectivity: Since you’ll be traveling across a dozen currencies, the piece advises carrying a multi‑currency card or using a travel money app. Mobile connectivity is decent in most European and Southeast Asian parts of the journey but can be patchy in remote Siberian stretches. A portable Wi‑Fi hotspot is recommended.

4. Packing: The article emphasizes light packing – a single suitcase or backpack that can fit in most trains’ luggage compartments. Layered clothing is essential: you’ll move from Lisbon’s mild summer climates to the cool steppe mornings of Russia and the humid air of Malaysia.

5. Cultural Etiquette: The article also reminds travelers to be respectful of local customs, especially in Muslim‑majority regions of Malaysia and Mongolia. Simple gestures like removing shoes before entering a home or wearing a headscarf in mosques can go a long way.

Highlights of the journey

• Lisbon & Porto: The article opens with a lyrical description of Lisbon’s pastel‑coloured trams and the Fado music that pervades the city, before suggesting a quick detour to Porto for its world‑renowned port wine.

• Paris: A brief stop in Paris is framed as an opportunity to dine at a Michelin‑starred restaurant while watching the sunset over the Seine.

• Moscow: The piece spotlights the grandeur of the Moscow Railway Station and the chance to take a side‑trip to the Kremlin’s Red Square – a reminder that the journey isn’t just about moving from point A to point B.

• Trans‑Siberian: The article spends a significant portion of its length on the Trans‑Siberian, noting the changing landscapes from flat wheat fields to towering taiga and the iconic “Golden Mountains of Altai.” It quotes a seasoned train‑goer who describes the experience as a living history lesson, with stories about how the rail line was built during the Soviet era.

• Ulaanbaatar & Mongolia: The piece highlights the cultural richness of Mongolia, including a stop at a traditional ger (yurt) camp, where travelers can experience local music and cuisine.

• Singapore: The grand finale is painted as a celebration of modernity. The article points out the “Marina Bay Sands” skyline, the bustling hawker centres, and the city’s famed night life.

Follow‑up links and resources

The Express article links to a number of resources that provide additional depth for the interested reader:

• A Google Earth tour of the full route, letting you visually trace the journey’s path through Europe, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
• A video interview with a traveler who completed the route last year, offering candid insights into the logistical challenges and emotional payoff.
• A ticket‑booking portal that aggregates prices across the different railway operators, allowing readers to see a rough estimate of costs before they decide to book.
• A guide to visa requirements for each country along the route, which is essential for planning a smooth journey.

Final thoughts

While the world’s longest train journey is an impressive logistical feat, the Express article ultimately frames it as a metaphor for connectivity. The idea that a single passenger can experience the Mediterranean sun, the steppes of Russia, the bustling streets of Beijing, and the neon glow of Singapore by rail is a powerful testament to the reach and charm of trains.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to sit in a seat that has spanned continents, to see the same train platform under a different sunrise, and to learn that the world is not so far after all, this long‑haul train tour might just be the adventure you’ve been searching for.