From Paris to Mongolia: Benjamin Champseix's rail-trip

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on October 4, 2024

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From Paris to the Mongolian steppes by train

In this episode, Lisa welcomes Benjamin Champseix, a 29-year-old video journalist with a passion for train travel. He tells us about his unique six-month adventure to travel from Paris to Mongolia without taking a plane.

With sincerity and a good dose of humor, Benjamin shares his experiences from Warsaw to Kiev, via Moscow, the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway and the breathtaking landscapes of the Gobi Desert. Enjoy!

Episod program

• The first stages (departure from Paris, stopover in Warsaw): Benjamin tells us about his first impressions of Berlin, then Warsaw, where he takes the opportunity to visit Chopin!
• His unusual encounter in Ukraine and night journey: a surreal moment when he shares a compartment with a Ukrainian policeman and a Russian mafioso on a night train journey to Kiev...
• His adventures in Russia and his discovery of the Trans-Siberian Railway: three and a half days aboard the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, crossing the vast Russian expanses as far as Lake Baikal, between camaraderie and moments of solitude in the Siberian cold.
• His week in Mongolia's Gobi Desert: his discovery of Mongolia, which marked a turning point in his trip, and the wild beauty of the Gobi Desert, far from the crowds. An unforgettable experience among nomads, sleeping in yurts under a starry sky.
• How the COVID-19 changed his plans: his change of course when his dream of reaching Tokyo without a plane collapsed with the pandemic, and his reorganization in the face of cancelled bookings in China.
• And other surprises that you can discover by clicking right here👇

“The Trans-Siberian Railway is like being in another world. Three and a half days on a train through emptiness, surrounded by snow and trees as far as the eye can see.”

“In the Gobi Desert, there wasn't a single tourist; it was like a dream.”

“I found myself sleeping on a train with a Ukrainian cop and a Russian mobster... a real moment of tension!”

Benjamin's review: itinerary, tips, experience...

His itinerary in detail

1️⃣ Paris - Berlin - Warsaw. First stop in Berlin before continuing on to Warsaw, where he stops to visit Chopin's tomb.

2️⃣ Warsaw - Kiev. Overnight train journey to Kiev (with a memorable anecdote about a Ukrainian policeman and a Russian mafioso in his compartment).

3️⃣ Kiev - Moscow. Short break in Kiev, then on to Moscow to visit Red Square before boarding the Trans-Siberian Railway.

4️⃣ Trans-Siberian: Moscow - Lake Baikal. Three and a half days on the train through snow-covered Russia, en route to Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake.

5️⃣ Lake Baikal - Irkutsk - Ulan Bator (Mongolia). After a stopover in Irkutsk to explore Lake Baikal, we head for Ulan-Bator, the Mongolian capital, before venturing into the Gobi Desert.

6️⃣ Ulan Bator - Tokyo (by air). In the end, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Benjamin had to abandon his initial plan not to fly to Tokyo.

A conscious choice to travel by train

For Benjamin, traveling by train was an obvious choice. For him, this mode of transport allows total immersion in the places he'll be visiting, and encourages encounters. “The train is a unique way to travel. You really take the time to observe the landscapes, to meet people you'd never see otherwise.”

There are several reasons behind this choice:

• Ecology, of course: “Travelling without a plane was also a personal challenge to limit my carbon footprint. The train is an ecological alternative and much less polluting than flying.”
• Flexibility and freedom: “With Interrail, you can hop on a train and go wherever you want without having to book. It's this freedom that made me fall in love with trains.”
• Unique encounters and experiences: “Train journeys are often an opportunity to meet incredible people. Whether it's a Ukrainian policeman or travelers sharing wine on the Trans-Siberian, every journey becomes an adventure!”

Benjamin's tips for preparing for such a journey

• Prepare well for the cold: investing in quality clothing, such as merino wool, is essential. “It sounds expensive, but it literally saves your life in extreme conditions like Siberia or Mongolia.”
• Optimizing expenses: when he travels, Benjamin prefers to alternate between cheap accommodation and times when he indulges himself. “I prefer to sleep badly for several days and then indulge in a good restaurant or hotel to mark the occasion.”
• Anticipating visas: traveling through Russia and Mongolia requires meticulous preparation for visas. “I almost missed the boat with Russian and Mongolian visas, you have to anticipate them as much as possible!”

What Benjamin remembers of his adventure

For the young man, this trip was an opportunity to understand his own capabilities, both physical and mental. He even speaks of a personal transformation: “Travelling alone over such long distances, in sometimes extreme conditions, teaches you about yourself. You become resourceful, adaptable, and realize that you can overcome any difficulty.”

Another important aspect of this trip is his relationship with time. Benjamin talks in particular about the importance of taking one's time when traveling, of not wanting to plan everything down to the minute. “Some of my best memories have come from unplanned moments, like the dog that followed me for three days on Lake Baikal, or that evening playing guitar with locals in Mongolia.”

One more proof that it's possible to travel the world in a different way, taking the time to discover places and people with authenticity. Thanks to Benjamin for this fascinating journey from Paris to the Mongolian steppes!

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