Traversing vast landscapes, crossing continents, and connecting distant cities, train journeys offer an unparalleled adventure and a unique perspective on the world. Among the plethora of train routes that crisscross the globe, one stands out for its sheer length and the breathtaking scenery it traverses: the Trans-Siberian Railway. Spanning across Russia, Mongolia, and China, the Trans-Siberian Railway holds the title of the longest train route in the world, offering an unforgettable voyage through diverse landscapes and cultures.
World’s Largest Train Route
The Trans-Siberian Railway, the world’s lengthiest train route, spans from Moscow to Vladivostok, covering a distance of 9,289 kilometers. Over eight days and seven nights, passengers traverse eight time zones, witnessing a panorama of Siberian forests, vast steppes, the majestic Ural Mountains, and the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake Baikal. It’s an extraordinary journey that encapsulates the grandeur and diversity of Russia’s landscapes, cultures, and history.
Top-10 Longest Train Route of the World By 2024
Trans-Siberian Railway of Russia covering a distance of 9,289 kilometers is the longest train route in the world, followed by Beijing-Moscow Railway, Shanghai-Lhasa Railway and California Zephyr.
Here is the list of top-10 longest routes in the world by 2024:
| Longest Train Routes in the World 2024 |
| Rank | Train Route | Country | Duration |
| 1. | Trans-Siberian Railway | Russia | 8 days 7 nights |
| 2. | Beijing-Moscow Railway | China, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan | 6 days 5 nights |
| 3. | Shanghai Lhasa Railway | China | 2 days 3o hours |
| 4. | California Zephyr | United States | 3 days 2 nights |
| 5. | Toronto-Vancouver | Canada | 3 days 2 nights |
| 6. | Eastern and Oriental Express | Thailand, Singapore | 4 days 3 nights |
| 7. | The Ghan | Australia | 3 days 2 nights |
| 8. | Indian Pacific | Australia | 4 days 3 nights |
| 9. | The Blue Train | South Africa | 2 day 3 nights |
| 10. | The Maharajas’ Express | India | 8 days |
World’s Longest Train Route – Train-Siberian Railway
Country: Russia
Duration: 8 days 7 nights
Distance: 9,289 km
The world’s longest train route, the Trans-Siberian Railway, spans from Moscow to Vladivostok. This epic journey lasts eight days and covers eight time zones, offering vistas of Siberian forests, vast steppes, the Ural Mountains, and the stunning Lake Baikal. It’s a mesmerizing odyssey through diverse landscapes and cultures, showcasing the vastness and beauty of Russia’s heartland.
Second Longest Train Route in the World – Beijing Moscow Railway
Country: Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan
Duration: 6 days 5 nights
The Beijing-Moscow Railway is the second longest railway line in the world, and it’s also one of the most scenic. The journey takes six days and five nights, and it covers four countries: China, Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. Along the way, you’ll see the Gobi Desert, the Great Wall of China, and the Altai Mountains. The Trans-Siberian Express website mentions: “Such a journey covers three countries, Russia, Mongolia, and China, and provides a chance for the in-depth exploration of three great nations. Such rail trip usually take more than 3 weeks, around 20-23 days.”
World’s Third Longest Train Route – Shanghai-Lhasa Railway
Country: China
Duration: 2 days 30 hours
Ranked as the world’s third longest train route, the Shanghai-Lhasa Railway boasts remarkable heights, reaching 5,072 meters (16,640 feet) at Tanggula Pass. The journey spans two days and 30 hours, traversing awe-inspiring landscapes in Tibet. Passengers are treated to panoramic views of the majestic Himalayas, the winding Yellow River, and the serene Qinghai Lake, making it an unforgettable rail experience.
FAQs
The longest railway line in the world is Trans-Siberian Railway. The Trans–Siberian Railway connects Moscow with the Russian far east. Its running distance is 9,259 kilometres or 5,753 miles. The journey takes (167 hours) 6 days to complete.
What is the longest train journey in the US? ›
The California Zephyr® is the longest Amtrak® (3924 km) route, and one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world. During the journey you will see the Colorado River valley in the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
What is the highest train journey in the world? ›
Dubbed a "miracle" of engineering, the so-called Sky Train climbs to an elevation of 5,702m at the "roof of the world". The Qinghai-Tibet railway stretched before us right across the Himalayan table-top plateau for almost 2,000km, from Xining in central China to Lhasa in Tibet.
What are the longest train tracks in America? ›
At 2,438 miles (3,924 km), it is Amtrak's longest daily route, and second-longest overall after the Texas Eagle's triweekly continuation from San Antonio to Los Angeles, with travel time between the termini taking approximately 51 1⁄2 hours.
Which state has the longest train route? ›
Explanation: Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari: Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari - Vivek Express is the longest train route in India. This route connects the southernmost tip of India's mainland namely Assam, Northeast India to Kanyakumari.
What is the longest speed train in the world? ›
The high-speed rail (HSR) network in the People's Republic of China (PRC) is the world's longest and most extensively used – with a total length of 45,000 kilometres (28,000 mi) by the end of 2023. The HSR network encompasses newly built rail lines with a design speed of 200–380 km/h (120–240 mph).
What is the most beautiful train ride in the United States? ›
1. The Grand Canyon Railway. The Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona, offers a historic and nostalgic journey through an otherworldly desert landscape. It doubles as one of the most unique ways to experience one of the world's most iconic natural wonders, the Grand Canyon.
Are there any sleeper trains in the USA? ›
The Amtrak Sleeping Car fleet consists of two types of cars: Superliner and Viewliner. The primary difference: a Superliner features two levels of private rooms per car and a Viewliner features a single level of accommodations.
What is the longest sleeper train journeys? ›
The Caledonian Sleeper is the UK's longest and most spectacular sleeper train route. Starting in London, the Caledonian Sleeper operates different routes directly to the north of Scotland, taking up to 14 hours to reach Inverness.
What is the most scenic train journey in the world? ›
Here are 10 of our favourite rail journeys in no particular order.
- Glacier Express, Switzerland. ...
- The Himalayan Queen - Kalka to Shimla Railway, India. ...
- Journey Through The Tea Country - Peradeniya to Ella, Sri Lanka. ...
- Vietage Train Da Nang to Quy Nhon, Vietnam. ...
- California Zephyr – Chicago to San Francisco, USA.
Rocky Mountaineer: A Premier Luxury Train Trip in the US
The heart of North America opens up for anyone travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer, as these luxury train vacations in the USA offer the highest on and off-train standards regardless of which route you choose.
Which country has the best railway system in the world? ›
It probably comes as no surprise that in a global 2019 survey of railroad efficiency, the top two places went to Japan and Hong Kong, with scores of 6.8 and 6.5 (out of seven) respectively.
Which US state has the most train tracks? ›
Rail miles in each U.S. state 2020
As of 2020, Texas was the U.S. state with the largest railroad mileage, reaching over 10,400 miles.
What is the longest a train can be in the US? ›
The Federal Railroad Administration does not currently set any limits on train lengths – and also doesn't regularly track train lengths or their associated risks. That has allowed freight railroad companies to occasionally operate trains up to 8 kilometres (5 miles) long.
Where is the longest train ride in the world? ›
The Trans–Siberian Railway which connects Moscow with the Russian far east is still the world's longest direct rail route, running for 9,259 kilometers or 5,753 miles.
What is the longest distance run train? ›
Dibrugarh – Kanniyakumari Vivek Express is the longest train of Indian Railways which runs from Dibrugarh in India's North-eastern state Assam to Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu the southernmost state of India. The train covers a distance of 4189 kilometres and traverses through nine states in India.
Can you travel from Europe to China by train? ›
Train travel
The most usual (and easiest) route from Europe to China is via the classic Trans-Siberian Railway, shown in blue on the map below. But there is another route now open to foreigners, the so-called Silk Route via Kazakhstan, shown on the map in yellow.
What is the longest train ever driven? ›
The record-holder is The Ghan, which commenced service in 1929 between Adelaide in South Australia and Darwin in the Northern Territory, traversing a track spanning 2,979 kilometres. This train behemoth stretches nearly 1.2 km and can pull up to 44 passenger cars.
How long is the world's longest road train? ›
The record for the longest road train is 1,474.3 m (4,836 ft 11 in) where a single Mack Titan prime mover, driven by John Atkinson (Australia), towed 113 trailers for a distance of approximately 150 m (490 ft) in an event sponsored by Hogs Breath Café, in Clifton, Queensland, Australia on 18 February 2006.
