How to Travel from Singapore to Europe Without Flying

How to Travel from Singapore to Europe Without Flying: An Overland Adventure

Ever dreamed of a grand adventure, swapping the confines of an aeroplane cabin for the ever-changing scenery of the world outside your window? For Singaporeans wondering how to travel from Singapore to Europe without flying, the answer is an intricate and rewarding overland quest. While there is no single train ride that will take you the entire way there, you can piece together the journey using a patchwork of regional trains and buses.

This is slow travel at its best, demanding patience and planning. But for those with a spirit of adventure, it offers an unforgettable experience. Here is a guide to the classic route, including estimated costs, and an emerging alternative for your grand tour.

The Classic Route: The Trans-Siberian Path

The most established overland route relies on the legendary Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian railways. It is a multi-stage trip that winds its way through Southeast Asia, China and across the vast expanse of Russia.

Leg 1: Singapore to Bangkok

You can reach Penang by coach or train. Coach is fastest and most direct, but the journey typically takes 9.5-10.5 hours. The train route is slightly shorter, beginning with the KTM Shuttle Tebrau from Woodlands to JB Sentral. From there, you can board an ETS train to Kuala Lumpur, a trip of roughly six to seven hours in total. In Kuala Lumpur, your next leg takes you to Bangkok. This is usually an overnight journey on KTM and Thai Rail services, crossing the border at Padang Besar.

Estimated cost: This first stage is quite affordable. Expect to pay around S$100 to S$150 for the combination of tickets from Singapore to Bangkok.

Coach from Singapore to Penang: $33 – $80

Trains from Singapore to Penang: $50

Van from Penang to Padang Besar: RM 10

Van from Padang Besar to Hat Yai: RM 30

 

Estimated duration: 7 hours by coach, 24 hours by train

Leg 2: Bangkok to Beijing

From Bangkok, your path leads towards China. You will take a Thai train to Nong Khai on the Laos border. After crossing into Laos, you can board the modern Laos to China Railway, which takes you north to the city of Kunming. Subsequently, you can catch one of China’s high-speed or conventional trains to a major northern hub like Beijing.

Estimated cost: The trains from Bangkok through Laos and across China to Beijing will likely set you back between S$400 and S$550, depending on the class of travel.

Train from Hat Yai to Bangkok: RM130

Sleeper train from Bangkok to Nong Khai: RM33-130, depending on type of train

Bus from Nong Khai to Laos border: RM4.5

Train from Laos Vientiane to Kunming China: RM320

Train from Kunming to Chengdu: RM150

Train Chengdu to Xi An: RM150

Train Xi An to Beijing: RM300

 

Estimated duration: 2-3 days

Leg 3: Trans-Mongolian Railway from Beijing to Moscow

This is the centrepiece of the journey. From Beijing, you will board an international train bound for Moscow. The Trans-Mongolian line is a popular choice, taking you through the stunning landscapes of the Gobi Desert and Mongolia before crossing into Siberia. This leg alone is an adventure, taking approximately five to six days onboard.

Estimated cost: This is the most significant single expense. A second-class berth on the Trans-Mongolian train from Beijing to Moscow typically costs between S$1,100 and S$1,500.

Train from Beijing to Mongolia: RM 800

Train from Mongolia to Russia Irkutsk: RM 532

Train from Irkutsk – Moscow: RM 550

 

Estimated duration: 5-6 days

Leg 4: Moscow to Warsaw

Finally, from Moscow, you would traditionally continue west by rail into Europe. However, due to current geopolitical issues, direct rail links between Russia and the European Union are extremely limited. Onward travel to Poland via Belarus is often complicated, and you may need to rely on bus segments or alternative routes.

Estimated cost: Due to the complex logistics required, this final leg is unpredictable. Budget approximately S$150 to S$250 for the series of trains and buses needed to get from Moscow to Warsaw.

Train from Moscow to Saint Petersburg: RM 81

Coach from Saint Petersburg to Tallin, Estonia: RM60-230

Train from the Baltics to Warsaw: RM123

 

Estimated duration: 15-18 hours

Potential Obstacles and Contingency Strategies

Add generous buffer times for border immigration delays. Aim for at least 40 to 60 minutes between separate tickets, and schedule key cross‑border connections on the next day if possible.

Another constraint would be visas. You will need to secure visas for several countries in advance, most notably for China and Russia. Furthermore, flexibility is key. Train schedules, border crossings and political situations can change with little notice. You must check the latest information close to your travel dates.

In total, you should budget between S$1,750 and S$2,450 per person for transport alone on the classic route. This estimate does not include the significant costs of visas, food, insurance, or accommodation during stopovers.

Alternative route through Central Asia

For travellers wishing to avoid Russia, an alternative route through Central Asia is slowly emerging. This ‘Middle Corridor’ is currently geared more towards freight than passengers, making it a path for the truly intrepid.

The route begins similarly, taking you from Singapore to Kunming in China. From western China, you would travel into Central Asia, through countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. From there, the journey continues by a mix of rail and ferry across the Caspian Sea into Türkiye. Once in Istanbul, you’ll have regular trains to Central Europe and Warsaw.

Costs for this route are highly variable and difficult to estimate due to the use of non-standard passenger routes, ferries and buses. It presents an exciting future possibility, but for now, it remains a complex option.

It’s possible to get to Europe without flying if you do some serious planning

Ultimately, travelling from Singapore to Europe overland is a serious undertaking. The classic route via Russia is the most straightforward on paper but faces significant political hurdles today. Whichever path you consider, the journey promises to be as memorable as the destination.