From Stockholm, 23-year-old Thobias Eriksson Brodin and his friend moved through Europe and Asia by train and bus. After more than a month on the road, they reach Thailand.
The map stretches across continents. Lines drawn from northern Europe to Southeast Asia.
Most people would fly.
But Thobias Eriksson Brodin did not.
“My friend suggested it a few years ago, but we forgot about it. Then last year we talked about going to Thailand together and said: let’s take the train.”
Thobias grew up in Mora, a small Swedish town of around 12,000 people, about four hours from Stockholm. A place best known for hosting the world’s biggest ski race.
“I’ve lived there my whole life.”
His interest in travelling started early. At 16, he went on his first solo trip.
“I travelled to Austria, Slovakia and Hungary for a week. Just sightseeing.”
After graduating high school in 2021, he began travelling more intensively.
“I visited 12 countries in one autumn.”
Since then, travelling has been a constant alongside his studies.
From Sweden to Southeast Asia
The journey began in Stockholm.
From there, trains carried them across Europe.
“We took a night train to Berlin and stayed for a day. It was warm there, and we still had snow back home, so it felt really nice.”
Then the journey continued to Budapest.
Then Beograd.
Sofia.
Istanbul.
Ankara.
Short stops. One night at a time.
From Ankara, they continued on the longest stretch of the trip.
“We took a 24-hour train to eastern Turkey. That was the longest journey time-wise.”
But near the Georgian border, they paused.
The plan had been clear from the beginning: no flights – only land.
But then reality caught up.
Route breaks
The world situation was no longer something they could avoid.
“We planned to go through Iran and Afghanistan, but because of the war that wasn’t possible.”
So they looked at alternatives.
Russia was considered, but the visa rules made it impossible to continue.
Azerbaijan’s land borders were closed.
“So from Georgia to Uzbekistan, we had two options. Either stop the journey or take a flight.”
And the option was clear for the two.
“We took a short flight. That was the only way forward.”
In Uzbekistan, the journey returned to trains.
“We went to Samarkand. It was amazing. I really want to go back.”
They also spent time in the capital, Tashkent, which Thobias describes as surprisingly modern.
From there, they continued through Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan and into China.
“China is incredible. You could spend a year there and not even scratch the surface. I’ve been there five times before, and this time I only visited cities I haven’t already seen.”
The final stretch led them to Laos.
“We stayed at a party hostel for a few days. I don’t think I’ve ever drunk that much in such a short time,” Thobias says with a smile.
Finally the journey took them to Thailand.
“We crossed the border and took the night train from Nong Khai to Bangkok.”
41 days across continents
After 41 days, they arrived.
In total, the journey covered 14,700 kilometres by train and bus, across 15 countries. The cost was around 16,000 Swedish kroner for transport and accommodation.
Despite the distance, it did not feel extreme.
“A lot of people say it’s a crazy journey. But it doesn’t feel like that to me: you just take a train from A to B.”
There were only minor setbacks along the way. In Georgia, Thobias got food poisoning after eating at Subway and had to spend a full day at the hotel.
“But otherwise everything went smoothly,” he says.
They mostly stayed in hotels throughout the journey, partly because of the price difference.
“In many countries, hotels aren’t more expensive than hostels.”
On social media, thousands have followed the trip. Part of the interest, he believes, comes from the destination itself.
“Thailand is very popular with Swedish people, and this is a different way of travelling.”
At the same time, he belives the timing has played a role.
“With climate change and war, people also think flying is difficult right now.”
Beyond the journey itself, Thobias has already reached another milestone. He is the youngest Swede to have visited all European countries.
“I don’t think it’s that hard,” he says causally.
“Focus on Europe first. The rest of the world can wait.”
Bangkok marked the end of this particular journey. He arrived a few weeks ago and has spent the time recovering.
But the pause is brief. Already, the next leg has been planned.
First stop: Brunei. Then Australia and South Asia. All by plane.
What happens after that is still uncertain.
“I’ll see how I get home. Hopefully the situation in the Middle East has calmed down.”
He pauses for a moment, then adds with a slight laugh:
“Worst case, I’m stuck in Asia. And if it escalates, I might have to take the train home as well.”
