Cover image via @siaosparrow (Instagram)
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
A Malaysian solo traveller has gone viral after revealing that she spent only about RM3,500 on transportation to travel overland from Malaysia to Europe
The traveller, who documents her journey on Instagram under the name Travel With Sparrow, shared a video detailing the trains and buses she took from Penang all the way to Poland.
The video has since garnered over one million views, with many viewers curious about how much such a journey would cost.
Through her video, she explained that she travelled from Malaysia through Thailand and Laos into China, before continuing to Mongolia and Russia, and eventually reaching Central Europe, including Estonia and Poland.
In her post, she explained that she could have spent less, but opted for more comfortable options instead of the cheapest tickets available
For example, while older trains in Thailand can cost as little as RM33, she opted for a newer train service costing about RM130 from Bangkok to Nong Khai for a more comfortable experience.
Similarly, although many routes offered cheaper seat-only tickets, she frequently chose sleeper trains so she could properly rest during long journeys.
She also shared that certain routes could have cost significantly less if she had prioritised budget over comfort
For instance, her direct train from Beijing to Mongolia cost RM776, but an alternative route involving a combination of train and bus transfers could have cost only about RM177.
According to her, travellers willing to sacrifice some comfort could potentially cut their transportation costs by up to half.
The traveller also shared that she does not come from a wealthy background, describing herself as an ordinary Malaysian who started travelling purely out of passion rather than privilege
She revealed that she has now visited more than 50 countries and recently reached her seventh continent, Antarctica, just before turning 30.
In a post reflecting on her journey, she encouraged others not to limit themselves due to money, social expectations, or fear.
"Don't set limits for yourself. Don't let money, status, gender, nationality, or society's expectations be the reason you stop. Dare to dream and be brave enough to chase what you love," she wrote.
She hopes her solo journey shows that travelling the world is possible with careful planning and courage, even without wealth or a partner.
She also invited followers to ask questions about train travel and solo travelling, saying she plans to share more tips from her experiences.
