Paris to Singapore by train: how much does it cost?

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on August 29, 2025

Benoît Bonjour, 24, a travel and train enthusiast, took up the challenge. In the fall of 2024, he left Paris with a goal as ambitious as it was symbolic: to cross Europe and Asia entirely overland, without ever taking a flight. Trains, buses, ferries, a pinch of improvisation, and above all, plenty of patience — an intense adventure he now shares to show that traveling differently is not only possible… but profoundly enriching.

“I simply want French people to open their eyes to the ease of travel we enjoy as Europeans. Purchasing power, passports…”

Paris–Singapore: Benoît’s Route in Detail

To connect Paris to Singapore, Benoît crossed 17 countries on the outbound journey. He traveled east from France through Belgium, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, then headed toward the Balkans and the Caucasus. From Turkey to Georgia, via Russia and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan), he then reached China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and finally… Singapore.

Benoît's itinerary on Polarsteps

For the return trip, he chose a completely different route through Cambodia, China, and Kyrgyzstan, before heading back via the Baltic States, Poland, Germany… and finally back to France.

As you can see, Benoît didn’t take the shortest or fastest route. He points out that it’s perfectly possible to cross Russia “in one go” in about 7 days on the Trans-Siberian, from Moscow to Vladivostok in the Far East (on the Chinese and North Korean border, near Japan). Still, he insists on the value of visiting Central Asian countries, especially Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

In total, his flight-free trip lasted:

• 603 hours on the outbound trip, costing €1,748
• 389 hours on the return trip, costing €1,185

About 90% of the journey was by train, with the rest by bus, car, and boat depending on local constraints (security, visas, accessibility).

© Benoît Bonjour

The Key Word? Anticipation

“Like a job interview or an exam, it’s all about preparation.” Benoît carefully pinned every point of interest in each Asian country on Google Maps, drawing inspiration from travel videos, guidebooks, and history books. He then studied visa requirements for each country, thanks to the French low-carbon travelers’ group Alibi.

“I didn’t want to end up stuck at the Kazakh border because I didn’t have the right visa!”

Long-Term Travel… for Less than €50 a Day

Benoît spent around €10,500 for several months of travel, the equivalent of a French monthly minimum wage spread over the duration of the trip. Quite the budgetary feat for crossing such a large part of the globe.

His secret? A minimalist approach, rich in experiences:

• Sleeping on night trains or in hostels
• Eating like the locals: in Chinese canteens, roadside stalls in Southeast Asia, or with families in Central Asia
• Skipping costly tourist attractions while exploring each destination thoroughly

© Benoît Bonjour

And the transport costs in detail? Brace yourself:

• Outbound Paris–Singapore: 603 hours, €1,748
• Return Singapore–Paris: 389 hours, €1,185

That makes a total of €2,933 spent on transport.

And Best of All? He Shares Everything!

Benoît generously makes his complete budget spreadsheet available, with all his expenses broken down by country and by category: transport, accommodation, food, activities…

Detail pby country - © Benoît Bonjour

A priceless resource for anyone inspired by his adventure and looking to prepare their own flight-free journey:

Mishaps, Wonders, and Train Stories

More than just a series of destinations, this trip was above all a human adventure. Through the stories he shares, we discover a mosaic of emotions, unexpected turns… and unforgettable surprises.

In China, Benoît discovered ultra-modern night trains, with spacious cars, dining cars, and even, on the Shanghai–Hong Kong line:

“Slippers, a toiletry kit with combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a box with cakes and food… what more could you ask for?”

In Chongqing, the train station is so huge it rivals an airport. On board:

“The food is excellent, five power outlets per car — it’s a battle to get one.”

Sometimes even at the cost of having his power bank stolen by a dishonest ticket inspector…

“Chinese night trains, real rolling hotels, allowed me to discover cities while moving along the world’s largest rail network — from megacities to mountains.”

Night trains in China - © Benoît Bonjour

Another highlight: the ferry-train between Guangzhou and Hainan Island, where the train actually boards a boat — just like in Sicily.

But not every ride was smooth. Between visa troubles (“I was turned back when leaving China because I didn’t have the right visa. I lost time and money because I had to cross at another border and buy another train ticket”), apps only in Chinese with no translation, cabins forbidden to men and women traveling alone together, and even a 1h45 police interrogation after an imprudent political conversation… Benoît wasn’t spared.

Not to mention the day in Thailand when monkeys raided his bag for chips… and dropped his passport into the water, just 48 hours before a border crossing.

“Once, there was a ticket left — the most luxurious class, €50 per train, two per cabin. I was so happy until they told me men and women couldn’t share the same cabin… Of course, the other passenger was a woman, so I couldn’t take it.”

Despite it all, he kept smiling. Because these mishaps are part of the journey. And they often lead to extraordinary encounters — like the Uzbek family who helped him obtain a Schengen visa by sending an invitation letter via DHL from Samarkand!

© Benoît Bonjour

Learning About the World… at Train Level

More than a technical challenge or logistical feat, this trip was for Benoît a foundational experience. Traveling without planes means slowing down, adapting, meeting others. It also means better understanding mobility inequalities and the privilege of holding a European passport.

His message is simple: a different vision of travel is possible. Far from airport hubs, the railway remains a fantastic gateway to the world.

To discover Benoît’s full journey, check out his Polarsteps!

Written by Sophie Renassia

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, la page Linkedin du média, 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.