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Ultimate Train Challenge

The Ultimate Train Challenge was a feat of sheer lunacy and adventure. Partnered with two other travel bloggers, we co-created the train-journey-to-end-all-train-journeys: 30 days, by train, from Lisbon to Saigon.

Starting in Lisbon, we each had 17 days to make our way as and how we wished through Europe to Moscow, where we reunited and boarded the Trans Siberian (the longest train ride in the world) to Beijing. Hot on the heels of the longest train ride, we followed up with the fastest train ride (at the time) from Beijing to Shanghai. From there on, it was a series of (at times, painstakingly) slow trains through China and Vietnam to our final debarkation point: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city).

To keep things interesting (if that weren't interesting enough), we spiced up the challenge with a scavenger hunt (for experiences, rather than things, given that we three were full-time travelers lugging everything we owned along with us) and some tours and experiences along the way when we weren't choo-choo-ing along.

My Ultimate Train Challenge adventure is far from the only crazy thing I've done on trains; I also rode 16,000kms of trains in Australia, took the train across Canada, and many more long-distance epic journeys. Much of it has made fodder for my book Tales of Trains: Where the Journey is the Destination.

Please enjoy this collection of posts (scrolling down takes you from end to beginning) about my Ultimate Train Challenge adventure.

Time Slows Down While Traveling

Last Updated: July 13, 2020

train speeding through the outback shows me that time slows down while traveling

The faster you travel, the slower time goes. Here’s why.

Filed Under: Life as a full-time traveler, Ultimate Train Challenge

The Ultimate Train Challenge Finale: China, Vietnam [Video]

Last Updated: October 19, 2020

Ultimate Train Challenge

With some of the most dramatic and beautiful footage yet, please enjoy Part 3 of the Ultimate Train Challenge video trilogy.

Filed Under: China, Ultimate Train Challenge, Video Clips, Vietnam

The Ultimate Trans-Manchurian [Video]

Last Updated: December 26, 2020

Trans-Manchurian

Imagine a week solid on a train from Moscow to Beijing, in small quarters with no showers and two people you’ve just met. Welcome to the Trans-Manchurian train!

Filed Under: China, Russia, Ultimate Train Challenge, Video Clips

The Ultimate Train Challenge through Europe [Video]

Last Updated: June 13, 2020

Europe

In the first 17 days of the Ultimate Train Challenge, I covered 6 European countries and passed through 4 more. Here’s a video of my European UTC adventures!

Filed Under: Ultimate Train Challenge, Video Clips

29 Trains in 30 Days: The Ultimate Train Challenge Finishes

Last Updated: May 16, 2020

Ultimate Train Challenge

During September, I took 29 trains from Lisbon, Portugal to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh), Vietnam. Here are some highlights from this 25,000km journey!

Filed Under: Ultimate Train Challenge

13 Random Experiences on Asian Trains

Last Updated: October 19, 2020

Asian trains

3 of our 6 nights from Beijing to Saigon are on trains, so I have time to see Asian travel culture, make friends, and bide time. Here are some random experiences.

Filed Under: China, Ultimate Train Challenge, Vietnam

Guilin: River Culture and New Tourism

Last Updated: October 19, 2020

Guilin

Guilin is a beautiful city with a thriving river culture, from morning meditations to touristy Li River cruises. Oh yeah – and rice noodles. Yum!

Filed Under: China, Ultimate Train Challenge, Video Clips

Beijing – Then and Now

Last Updated: October 19, 2020

Beijing

Visiting Beijing and the Great Wall of China is an amazing “full circle” experience for me; China was my 1st overseas trip – 18 years ago. Here’s my experience.

Filed Under: China, Ultimate Train Challenge, Video Clips

A Week on the Trans-Manchurian Railway

Last Updated: October 21, 2020

Trans-Manchurian bliss

The Trans-Manchurian is 8,986km (5,623 miles), and involves 145 hours and 37 minutes of straight train travel. Give or take. Here is my account of the trip.

Filed Under: China, Russia, Ultimate Train Challenge

Flat in Moscow

Last Updated: June 20, 2020

Moscow, Russia

Despite the roller-coaster of Ukraine leaving me higher than lower, I roll into Moscow (literally “roll”) feeling pretty flat, and with a huge task-list.

Filed Under: Russia, Ultimate Train Challenge

The Very-Fast Train is 1 Hour Late (and Other Ukrainian Paradoxical Experiences)

Last Updated: June 15, 2020

Ukraine

Ukraine is a paradoxical roller coaster that takes me on a three-day ride I won’t soon forget. Come along!

Filed Under: Ukraine, Ultimate Train Challenge

Naked in Prague at Night

Last Updated: October 12, 2020

I’m disoriented, unprepared, confused, slightly drunk, slightly scared, and without a purse to clutch on to for security. I feel totally naked. This is my Prague at Night.

Filed Under: Czech Republic, Ultimate Train Challenge

Zurich Switzerland: Rural Urbanity

Last Updated: June 20, 2020

Zurich

What little I saw of Switzerland and Zurich is all those cliches: quaint, charming, etc. What surprised me most was how refreshingly rural life in Zurich can be.

Filed Under: Switzerland, Ultimate Train Challenge

Staying off the Tourist Trail (or Not) in Barcelona

Last Updated: June 20, 2020

Barcelona

I try to discover the “real” Barcelona, devoid of tourists and tourist traps.It’s a naive mission that proves harder than it looks, but reveals some interesting insights.

Filed Under: Spain, Ultimate Train Challenge

Tapas, Mountains, Flamenco, and Siestas: This is Granada!

Last Updated: June 20, 2020

Granada

Tapas, Mountains, Flamenco, and Siestas. It’s a tough life in Granada!

Filed Under: Spain, Ultimate Train Challenge

Leaving Lisbon

Last Updated: June 27, 2020

Lisbon, Portugal

Ah, the food, the people, the ambiance, the life. In Leaving Lisbon on September 1st to commence the Ultimate Train Challenge, I have already vowed to return. (It’s just a matter of when).

Filed Under: Portugal, Ultimate Train Challenge

Sleeping on Trains, Sleeping in Beds

Last Updated: June 15, 2020

sleeping on trains

Find out where we’re sleeping – and how – during the Ultimate Train Challenge!

Filed Under: Ultimate Train Challenge

Ultimate Train Challenge: Planning the European Leg

Last Updated: June 15, 2020

Eurail

I’m planning how I’ll travel from Lisbon to Moscow by train, with the help of Eurail. But I’m also departing from my usual ways….read on for more!

Filed Under: Ultimate Train Challenge

Ultimate Train Challenge: Planning for the Trans-Siberian Railway

Last Updated: December 30, 2020

Trans-Siberian-map

Amidst the huge effort of planning for the Ultimate Train Challenge lies a section of our trip that includes the world’s longest railway: the Trans-Siberian. Here’s how we’re planning it!

Filed Under: Russia, travel planning, Ultimate Train Challenge

Announcing: The Ultimate Train Challenge!

Last Updated: June 15, 2020

Here’s the next big step in my full-time travels; an adventure of epic proportions – the Ultimate Train Challenge. Check it out!

Filed Under: Ultimate Train Challenge

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I'm Nora Dunn. I traveled the world full-time for 12 years, and I still travel for half the year (pandemics notwithstanding).
Expert on long-term travel, personal finance (as a former CFP), remote work, and lifestyle design.
If there's a high-adrenaline activity, I've probably done it. Weird food? Eaten it. Former shaman's apprentice. Always an actor/singer/dancer. Professional speaker. All that. And more…

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