Travelling is no doubt one of the best luxuries in life. However, it’s worth noting that the travel costs may be expensive if you’re travelling far. Just recently, this Malaysian content creator has decided to travel to Europe, just by train. Curious on how she did it, along with the money spent? Read on!
Image credit: The Edge Malaysia
Siao Sparrow is a Malaysian travel content creator currently travelling around the world. She studied in Taiwan for 10 years and has visited 42 countries so far. She shares detailed routes, travel tips, and personal reflections to inspire fellow travelers.
A note on her travel style: Throughout the journey, she consistently prioritized comfort over the cheapest options, whether choosing sleeper trains in Thailand, high-speed trains in China, or more comfortable options in Russia and Europe.
Malaysia to Thailand
According to her video, her journey starts in Penang, Malaysia, moving north towards Thailand. Her route included:
- Penang to Padang Besar: Take the KTM train (RM10).
- Padang Besar to Hat Yai: Hop on a van (RM30) for a short cross-border trip.
- Hat Yai to Bangkok: Board the Red Velvet Train (RM130) for a scenic overnight ride.
- Bangkok to Nong Khai: Continue on the Red Velvet Train (RM130), passing through riverside landscapes.
- Nong Khai to Laos border: Take the bridge bus (RM4.50) to cross into Laos.
Tip: Enjoy local snacks and the countryside scenery, this section is short but gives a taste of Thailand’s charm.
Image credit: siaosparrow (Instagram)
Laos to China
- Laos Vientiane to Yunnan (China): Travel via the China-Laos Railway (RM320). Exit Laos at Boten and enter China at Mohan.
- Mohan to Kunming: Stay on the same train to reach Kunming.
Tip: The train ride showcases lush green fields, rivers, and mountains, which is a perfect photo opportunity.
Image credit: Canva
China (12306 high-speed rail)
Sparrow then explored China using high-speed trains:
- Kunming to Chengdu: High-speed train (RM150) for a fast and comfortable trip.
- Chengdu to Xi’an: High-speed train (RM150), enjoy city-to-city convenience.
- Xi’an to Beijing: High-speed train (RM300), multiple daily departures make planning easy.
Tip: Chinese high-speed rail is efficient, clean, and smooth, making long distances enjoyable.
Image credit: Canva
Beijing to Mongolia to Russia
Next, Sparrow journeyed north:
- Beijing to Mongolia: Take the Green Train (~RM800). Cheaper options may exist.
- Mongolia to Irkutsk (Russia): Ride the Russian Railway (~RM532) through the Siberian landscape.
- Irkutsk to Moscow: Continue on the train; after 4 days, she reach the European region.
Tip: This part is epic, vast landscapes, endless horizons, and a true sense of the continent’s scale.
Image credit: Canva
Europe at last
Finally, she reached Europe:
- Moscow to Saint Petersburg: Russian Railway (~RM81 and up).
- Saint Petersburg to Tallinn: Lux Express (~RM230, cheaper options exist).
- Baltics to Warsaw (Poland): LTG Link (~RM123).
From Warsaw, she officially enter the European Union (EU). From here, trains can take travellers to Germany, France, and beyond. The fastest route to Paris: Warsaw → Berlin → Paris.
Image credit: Canva
Estimated costs
- Malaysia to China: RM624
- Within China: RM600
- Beijing to Europe (Poland): RM2,300
Total: RM3,524
This overland journey may take time, but for Sia Sparrow, it was a comfortable and unforgettable adventure, with scenic views and cultural experiences from Southeast Asia to Europe.
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