This book explores a remarkable sevenmonth journey across five continents, as Monisha Rajesh and her fiancé travel the world by train. Building on her previous adventure through India, Rajesh sets out to discover whether the romance of train travel can still hold its charm in an age of high-speed rail and budget airlines. The scale of her journey is nothing short of extraordinary, covering 45,000 miles (72,000 kilometres) over seven months, aboard 80 trains of varying comfort, reliability, and safety.
Their adventure begins in Europe, with a quick tour of the continent before reaching Moscow. Here, Rajesh and her fiancé take a detour to visit Patriot Park, a surreal “military Disneyland” created by President Putin. From Moscow, they board the Trans-Mongolian Railway, a thrilling 11-day journey across Siberia, stopping to see Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake. They also visit Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, where Rajesh is disheartened by the encroachment of Western consumerism, finding the city’s traditional culture overshadowed by chains like KFC and cinemas.
Their travels then take them through China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan, each offering a distinct experience of rail travel. In Vietnam, Rajesh describes the trains as “mobile skips” due to their chaotic nature, while Japan’s Shinkansen, with its efficiency and speed, offers a glimpse of what Rajesh calls “utopian travel.” The journey continues across North America, where they travel on Canada’s Canadian train, an iconic route that showcases the vast, breathtaking landscapes of the country. Rajesh also experiences the quirks of American rail travel, particularly aboard Amtrak, noting the diverse and often eccentric passengers. The trip takes a surprising turn when they fly to North Korea for a rare guided tour, before heading to Tibet, where Rajesh struggles with altitude sickness in Lhasa. She finds the city transformed into a surreal, Orwellian place, under tight surveillance. The final leg of the journey takes Rajesh through Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland, and Germany, before reaching Italy, where they board the luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for a final taste of opulence.
Despite the many challenges and uncomfortable moments, Rajesh concludes that the romance of train travel is alive and well. She reflects on the moments of kindness and generosity she experienced along the way, from fellow passengers offering advice to sharing food. These interactions, she believes, foster a unique sense of community, making each journey much more than just a means of getting from one place to another. Around the World in 80 Trains is a celebration of these connections, as well as a testament to the enduring allure of train travel, even in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.
Ultimately, Rajesh’s Around the World in 80 Trains is a celebration of the connections that trains make possible; between countries, cultures, and people and the personal reflections that arise during such a remarkable journey. Her writing is filled with warmth, humour, and a sense of discovery, making this not only a travelogue but also a profound meditation on the world and its diversity.
