Around the World in 80 Trains

A 45,000-Mile Adventure

By: Monisha Rajesh

Narrated by: Monisha Rajesh

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Bloomsbury presents Around the World in 80 Trains by Monisha Rajesh, read by Monisha Rajesh.

Winner of the National Geographic Traveller Award for Best Travel Book.

Shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Award.

When Monisha Rajesh announced plans to circumnavigate the globe in 80 train journeys, she was met with wide-eyed disbelief. But it wasn’t long before she was carefully plotting a route that would cover 45,000 miles - almost twice the circumference of the earth - coasting along the world’s most remarkable railways; from the cloud-skimming heights of Tibet’s Qinghai railway to silk-sheeted splendour on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Packing up her rucksack - and her fiancé, Jem, Monisha embarks on an unforgettable adventure that will take her from London’s St Pancras station to the vast expanses of Russia and Mongolia, North Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan and beyond. The ensuing journey is one of constant movement and mayhem, as the pair strikes up friendships and swaps stories with the hilarious, irksome and ultimately endearing travellers they meet on board, all while taking in some of the earth’s most breathtaking views.

From the author of Around India in 80 Trains comes another witty and irreverent look at the world and a celebration of the glory of train travel. Rajesh offers a wonderfully vivid account of life, history and culture in an audiobook that will make you laugh out loud - and reflect on what it means to be a global citizen - as you whirl around the world listening to it.

©2019 Monisha Rajesh (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"Monisha Rajesh has chosen one of the best ways of seeing the world. Never too fast, never too slow, her journey does what trains do best. Getting to the heart of things. Prepare for a very fine ride." (Michael Palin)

Good story ruined byruined byA British poshness…

Relatively unique and interesting story, but the authors poshness, and the way she turns her nose up to so many different things was a turn off. She’s definitely a train aficionado which I am not, and the detail and celebration of each train gets lost for me.

Absolute love

I heard the author on a podcast. Her voice was so calming yet intriguing and if it’s a book about global travel, I’m hooked. This book did not disappoint and highly recommend to inspire your next journey!

shallow and breezy

a nice palate cleanser of a book recounts her train journey around the global north.

An enchanting tale

This was an unusual, delightful travel memoir. The aspect of train travel made it so much more unique than typical memoirs. This book was about the journey, not the destination. It made me want to ride the rails and meet the amazing people Monisha and her fiancé met. It was beautifully written, and the author was a fantastic narrator. The love of her adventure came through in her voice. Highly, highly recommend.

light hearted

light hearted easy read, fun to hear about three journeys to less traveled places like Russia and North Korea

Fun for lovers of travel in general

Very fun for lovers of travel in general and of train travel in particular. Some great local color through a series of interesting locations. I am disappointed she didn't do her original route through Uzbekistan and more of Eastern Europe, but happy Kazakhstan made the cut. I'm always suspicious when an author reads their own work as too often it's not a great fit. But she does a good job, even when I suspect she's mocking some American accents. It's ok. We can take it. Small complaint: I know the whole bit complaining about tipping in America was sort of in jest, but given the wages most wait staff make here, please don't begrudge even the surliest of them the tip box.

travel story that

loved this book, i’ve gone back and picked it up again and again. The concept is good, around the world by train, and author offers more than a travel log, it’s insight and original thoughts.

Great escapism for the lockdown

Monisha Rajesh's story of her 7 months of railway journeys in the company of her fiance Jem makes for wonderful escapism in this time of enforced home arrest under the pandemic. Above all gentle in its tone and world view, Rajesh's observations are always humane, open eyed, and open minded. Even in the few moments of apparent peril she maintains an air of calm objectivity rather than indulge in scandalized complaint, preferring to reflect on the humanity she encounters rather than stoke xenophobic fear. While I can't go so far as to describe it as a masterpiece, the writing is occasionally poetic, and once in a while quite moving, and she leaves lasting impressions on the mind's eye. I'd love to hear her narrate her earlier book on her travels in India, perhaps she and Audible have it on their to-do list.

Highly enjoyable armchair train travel experience

I have been a railfan (or an anorak, foamer, trains evangelist whatever) since I was a kid. I have been travelling quite a few of the railway lines Rajesh mentioned in her book in the last 3 years. This book recalled my memory of railway travel. I am very impressed the small details she have been able to spot. I can even smell the smell, feel the train moving the way she described. I bought both books and audiobook. I personally prefer the auidobook better because her voice (eg. minmicking her travel companion accent, the tense moment of catching a train or the potential of not able to leave North Korea) made the listeners feeling they are part of her travel experience.

A great adventure

It was a great adventure traveling by train together with Monisha. Her narrating was excellent, too.