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An epic 19.000-kilometer train journey, crossing three continents for just 1.200 euros, that promised to be an adventurer's dream but was scuppered by conflicts and logistical barriers.
An epic journey, crossing 13 countries over 19.000 miles by train. That’s what the world’s longest train journey is all about, a route that connects Lagos, Portugal, to Singapore. But unfortunately, that dream was cut short – and Vladimir Putin is largely to blame.
The idea of a trip that would take 21 days, costing around 1.200 euros, looks fascinating. However, logistical factors and, above all, the conflict in Ukraine make this adventure unfeasible. Let's explore the details and understand why this route is currently impossible.
The Route from Lagos to Singapore
The planned route is a real spectacle: it would start in Lagos, Portugal, and continue through Europe, Siberia and Asia until reaching Singapore. The idea was to cross different cultures and incredible landscapes, providing passengers with a unique experience.
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The cost of this train journey? Relatively affordable: just 1.200 euros. However, the “too low to be true” price is just one of the complications. Even though the journey may seem simple on paper, the reality tells a different story.
The logistical obstacles to this train journey
A main barrier to this epic journey is the logistical complexity. Unlike buying a single ticket to a destination, traveling by train would require about 20 separate tickets, purchased on different platforms. This would already be a big challenge for any traveler.
Many key routes, such as the famous Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian trains connecting Moscow to Beijing, have been suspended since 2019. As a result, the journey is not only complicated, but also depends on a number of factors that are beyond the control of passengers.
The role of war in the impossibility of the journey
The biggest factor preventing travel is the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The conflict has made it impossible to travel from Western Europe to Moscow, a crucial point on the route. Sanctions and instability in the region have made any attempt to connect with Russia by rail difficult.
For many, the war is not only a humanitarian tragedy, but also a barrier to ambitious projects like this. Without the possibility of crossing Russia, the dream of the world’s longest train journey remains distant.
The myth of direct travel
The idea that such a journey could be made easily is, in fact, a myth. According to rail travel expert Mark Smith, it would require an intricate itinerary with multiple transfers. He scoffed at the idea of a “little man in a tent” selling direct tickets from Lagos to Singapore, emphasizing that the reality is quite different.
Smith explains that even with all trains running, planning would be complex and involved. Crossing borders, especially in politically unstable regions, would make the journey a logistical nightmare.
Despite the difficulties, the idea of such a long train journey continues to fascinate enthusiasts of trains and adventurers. If the war ends and the routes are restored, perhaps this dream can become a reality. Until then, initiatives like this remind us of the importance of peace and global cooperation in making grand projects possible.
