For travelers who believe that the best way to travel is equally as important as arriving at your destination, nothing is quite as exciting as a good long distance train journey. Unlike air travel, which fails to show much change in your surroundings, a train does – allowing passengers the possibility to view the transformation of the scenery. Here are longest running train journeys in the world. It's not just the kilometres of the long train journeys. Long distance railway lines reveal the world in slow motion, disappearing borders of states in the terrain, the luxury of time. Long-distance lines demand this in a speed and efficiency-minded world.
Moscow–Vladivostok Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia
Most Epic Of All: Trans-Siberian Railway From Moscow to Vladivostok – One of the greatest railway journeys in the world is the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok and it is close to 9,289 km. A nonstop journey that could take you up to a week to complete is it. During this journey, the European part of Russia, Urals, extensive forestland, big plains, and distant Siberia will be crossed by you.
Toronto–Vancouver The Canadian in Canada
The Canadian - VIA Rail One of the most scenic long-distance trains in the world, The Canadian attracts travelers who enjoy the great outdoors. This VIA Rail train runs between Toronto and Vancouver and covers 4,466 kilometers in about four days. The trip takes you from the forests of Ontario to the prairie of Manitoba/Saskatchewan to the stunning Rocky Mountains and affords passengers breathtaking views of lakes, wildlife sanctuaries, and the Rockies.
Shanghai-Lhasa Train in China
The distance of the train journey from Shanghai to Lhasa is about 4,373 km and takes 46 to 48 hours. The uniqueness of the journey of a train from Shanghai to Lhasa is the common feature of its geographical character. The journey begins from the cityscape of a big Chinese city and proceeds further to the western side of China and it reaches to the higher places.
Sydney–Perth Indian Pacific in Australia
Indian Pacific India offers a long-distance train journey connecting the city of Sydney on the eastern coast of Australia and Perth on its western coast. It spans about 4,352 km and generally requires four days and three nights to reach the final destination. On the way, travelers can see a lot of scenery ranging from Blue Mountains to Interiors and Mining areas to the Nullarbor Plain. Indian Pacific is famous for crossing the longest stretch of rails in the world and a trip on the train provides the best way to see the vastness of the continent of Australia.
Vivek Express in India
India's longest train journey, The Vivek Express, travels from the far north-eastern city of Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari, India's northern-most point in the southernmost state of Tamil Nadu. The trip covers 4,189km and takes more than three days from start to finish, contingent on the train schedule, weaving through tea plantations in the northeast, vast river plains, big cities, and the heartland of India, before arriving in the tropical southern states. Travelling through a multitude of languages, cuisines, architectural styles, and landscapes, it also offers one of the country's most memorable train rides.
Beijing–Moscow Railway (China, Russia)
Between old socialist capital cities, this east-west route snakes across seven time zones through China, Mongolia and Russia. Tourists designed the route for political, commercial, and tourism purposes, and it is packed – from the crowded cityscape of Beijing, through the Gobi Desert and across Mongolia's rolling plains to the wilds of Siberia. And, more than the distance, you’ll witness the city sprawl and invisible political borders along the way.
California Zephyr (United States)
The Ghan initially constructed the inland routes of Australia. It travels from Adelaide to Darwin through Alice Springs, named after the Afghan cameleers that used the routes long before the train was there. It's a legendary line that links east and west through the interior, crossing red sands and far-flung settlements.
Eastern & Oriental Express (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand)
The Eastern & Oriental Express, whose route takes you between Bangkok and Singapore, is one of the most famous train journeys in the world and ranks just below the Orient Express and Trans-Siberian Railway in the 'must do' list of most serious train fanatics. Inspired by the grandeur of old-fashioned luxury trains, it runs from Singapore to Bangkok, via Kuala Lumpur, and rolls past rubber plantations, rivers and colonials. It is the journey that passes more leisurely through Southeast Asia, where it's less about what you see and more about how you go – timeless, slow-moving views, ornate décor and an air of being on a journey back in time.
FAQ's
1. What is the longest train journey in the world?
The Trans-Siberian Railway (specifically the Moscow to Vladivostok route in Russia) holds the top spot, covering a massive 9,289 kilometers across eight time zones.
2. How long does it take to complete the Trans-Siberian trip?
A non-stop continuous ride takes roughly 7 days, though most travelers prefer to make a few stops along the way.
3. What is the longest train journey in North America?
VIA Rail's "The Canadian" runs between Toronto and Vancouver, covering 4,466 kilometers in about four days.
4. Can you travel across Australia by train?
Yes, "The Ghan" runs 2,979 kilometers from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south, taking about three days to cross the Australian outback.
5. What is the longest train route in India?
The Vivek Express runs from Dibrugarh in the far northeast to Kanyakumari at the southern tip of the country, spanning 4,154 kilometers in roughly 75 hours.
