In March 2010, news sites were abuzz with the announcement of a proposed Chinese-backed high-speed Eurasian rail line that could whip passengers betwe

The Longest Train Ride in the World

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2022-01-20 13:30:06

In March 2010, news sites were abuzz with the announcement of a proposed Chinese-backed high-speed Eurasian rail line that could whip passengers between London and Beijing at speeds of up to 345 km/h (215 mph), completing the 17-country, 8 160 km (5 070 mi) journey in just two days. While such a fantastical project is likely decades away, completing such a long trip exclusively by train is not. In fact, you can make an even longer trip right now and never leave the train except for switching cars. The catch, of course, is that it will take you much longer than just two days (and probably cost you a fair bit in the process).

The longest single uninterrupted train journey, including transfers, does indeed stretch beyond London and Beijing. Starting from the Portuguese coast, one can travel by train not just into China but all the way to southern Vietnam, a distance of 17 000 km (10 566 mi).

Starting in Portugal at Porto, the first two days of this trip is (relatively) simple, as all of the countries one would travel through are members of the European Union, and all but Poland are covered by Eurail, a consortium of rail carriers which collaborate in selling tickets. While this ensures some level in coordination in travel, and a Eurail pass can grant free access to much of the route, supplemental travel and reservation fees still apply to most high-speed and sleeping trains.