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With 18,755 km and 13 Countries, the Longest Train Journey in the World Has Become Theoretically Possible. Discover the Route, the Geopolitical Challenges That Prevent It in 2025, and the Future of This Railway Odyssey.
The idea of crossing continents by rail has always held great fascination. Recently, the possibility of a train journey from Lagos, Portugal, to Singapore in Southeast Asia emerged as a theoretical landmark of land travel, representing what would be the longest train journey in the world.
Understand the theoretical itinerary of this journey, the factors that currently make it unfeasible, and the prospects for it to one day become a reality, based on analyses from experts and data from operators.
Unveiling the Theoretical Route from Lagos to Singapore
The realization of the longest train journey in the world would involve a complex web of railway connections. With approximately 18,755 kilometers, the journey would take about 21 days to complete, crossing 13 countries.
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The route would begin in Lagos, Portugal, moving to Spain and then to France. From Paris, the route would extend east, passing through Germany and Poland until reaching Moscow, Russia. From there, the traveler would board the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway (or its variants, like the Trans-Manchurian) for a nearly six-day crossing to Beijing, China.
In Asia, the journey would head south. The final piece that made this route theoretically possible was the inauguration of the China-Laos Railway in December 2021. This line connects the Chinese railway network to Southeast Asia, paving the way through Thailand and Malaysia to the final destination, Singapore.
Reality in 2025: An Impossible Journey?
Despite the infrastructure existing, in June 2025, the longest train journey in the world is impractical. The main obstacle is the geopolitical disruptions resulting from the conflict in Ukraine.
The sanctions and restrictions have led to the suspension of essential passenger train services between Western Europe and Russia, such as the Paris-Moscow and Berlin-Moscow routes. This effectively blocks access to Russia from Europe by rail. Even if some services between Russia and China are resumed, Western travelers face significant barriers, such as the difficulty of obtaining visas and the inability to use bank cards or access Russian booking sites.
The Future of the Longest Train Journey in the World
The reopening of the full route from Lagos to Singapore depends on factors that go beyond engineering. The fundamental condition is a significant de-escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and the normalization of diplomatic relations between Russia and Western nations.
This would allow for the restoration of international rail services and the reopening of consulates for visa issuance. Although the dream of the longest train journey in the world is on hold, the pursuit of connectivity continues. The development of corridors like the China-Laos Railway shows that rail expansion continues, albeit in a more fragmented and regionalized manner, shaped by the complex geopolitical realities of our time.
A maior viagem de trem que eu fiz foi da estação Leopoldina até Nova Friburgo. Fui de Maria Fumaça e cheguei em Nova Friburgo todo sujo de fuligem.
Foi uma aventura e tanto.
Fui de Lisboa até a Suecia, passando por doze países da Europa de trem, na decada de 90, é viavel essa viagem!
Nem pra dar uma estimativa de valores baseado em épocas que estavam funcionando os trechos interditados.. ser muito mais caro que Cruzeiro?