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Are you looking for practical tips, real-life experiences, and a healthy dose of inspiration for your next train trip? Get comfortable and put on your headphones: boarding is now open for “Want a hit?”, the podcast that will get you hooked on trains !
Did you think it was impossible to travel to Asia by train? After the trip from Victor and Léa all the way to Taiwan or that of Delphine and Arnaud all the way to Indonesia, now it's Alexis's turn to prove us wrong!
As he approached his thirties, Alexis decided to achieve one's bucket list, which he posts on his Instagram account @alexis.hdd. Speaking with Tolt, he tells us about his eighth major challenge: travel from Paris to Bangkok by train.
“I saw mountains, forests, and plains that seemed to stretch on forever. No plane ride could ever give you that feeling.”
A journey of nearly 300 hours, set against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes (from Austria to Mongolia, via Russia), moments of introspection, and unlikely encounters.
Behind this crazy trip without a plane: his thirst for adventure and his environmental convictions. And judging by his story, it was well worth it! A look back at his motivations, his travel choices, and his travel stories Each one more inspiring than the next.
"Spending hours on a train means falling into a different rhythm. A slow train—it almost becomes a form of meditation". "
"When you're in third class on the Trans-Siberian, you share with strangers from all walks of life. “That’s when you realize that traveling is, above all, about the people you meet.”
"China has been the biggest surprise of my trip"e: an incredible culture and amazing encounters."
Setting a budget is essential for a trip like this, but be prepared for the unexpected It's even more so. The desire to make a longer stop to explore a region, a last-minute train change... Surprises can happen in the blink of an eye!
For his part, Alexis chose to about 1,500 € for a month of travel, but he also showed flexibility when it came to last-minute adjustments.
Traveling internationally by train means passing through many countries and, therefore, encountering many very different languages. Set up apps such as Google Translate or DeepL, and remember to Download languages for offline use.
If you're planning a similar trip, be sure to check Visa Requirements for each country you pass through and to find out about the train specifications in the different regions!
Some trips will be long nights on the train or bus. Bring some earplugs, a sleep mask and some snack.
Alexis has learned the importance of planning his trips, especially when traveling in economy class, where space is limited and there are frequent stops.
But the night trains were also, for him, a A great opportunity to meet new people! By taking overnight trains and traveling in economy class, Alexis had the opportunity to meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds: from the Russian woman who shared her dinner with him, to chess games on the Trans-Siberian Railway, to French travelers heading to Asia by bike. For Alexis, these interactions represent the essence of train travel—an intense social experience. where cultural boundaries break down.
Through this journey, Alexis proves once again that the train is much more than just an eco-friendly mode of transportation—it can become a true human adventure, filled with introspection and openness to others.
Thank you to our partner SNCF Connect, the go-to app for trains and sustainable transportation that helps more than 15 million users plan their trips in France and across Europe!
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
