How To Survive 24 HOURS on a Train Across Kazakhstan

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I spent 24 hours on a train across Kazakhstan, and got everything I deserved.
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[@Ekman2012]

Fun fact - Vokzal - the Russian word for train station is named after Vauxhall! This is as the first Russian railway ran from St Petersburg to the Pleasure Gardens. The pleasure gardens was named ‘Vokzal’, after Vauxhall pleasure garden, and then this became the name for all train stations

[@just_jen]

So, essentially named after the place in London, rather than the car manufacturer?

[@espencarlsen]

Wow, my first car.

[@johnledingham852]

Hey Noel, I was blown away by your excitement when you found your gift on the train. A little blue plastic toy car. I'm in my mid seventies and still feel a boy at heart. I have a miniature dye cast model of my first car. A Ford Anglia from the early sixties. It's sitting on my office desk with me right now. We do a lap or two now and then across my desk. They were promoted here in Australia as the Lion Hearted Ford Anglia. They used to race them at Lakeside here in Queensland, and at other tracks interstate. Love your travel videos Noel, and the passion you display on each outing as you describe your expected and unexpected happenings en-route. Bravo!

[@noelphilips]

Thank you for your kind words & glad you enjoy the videos!

[@kat.nicolette]

I couldn't even focus on your bed review because as soon as I saw the window by your feet, I noticed the magnificent sunset and I just couldn't focus on anything else. This is really making me want to ride more long distance trains and I miss my frequent trip between Boston and Appleton.

[@nickinportland]

Noel is the perfect reviewer for these things. British guy, pretty chill. He’s like a good baseline review. Also if you like the look of Kazakhstan you would love west Texas. Nice and flat. Then a giant gorge like the Grand Canyon.

[@AndyLaskey]

2 pieces of toilet paper😂😂 when you said hope it's not a big one I spat my coffee over the lounge. Great video Noel please keep them coming.

[@gillianmellin8315]

😂😂😂

[@user-ig1zt6ro9s]

I was having dinner when I heard that and spat everywhere as well

[@heathcuster6204]

Guess you're using a sock if it's a "big" one😅

[@MickeyMishra]

Was it Sheryl Crow that said she only uses 2 pieces of toilet paper?

[@roberthamilton1301]

About a month ago I spent 45 hours on a train crossing China. Ending up just across the border from Almaty. A crazy journey but something everyone should do once in there life... Thanks for the video Mate 👍

[@ZengoMay]

Travelled opposite direction from Almaty to Ürümqi 乌鲁木齐市. Wonderful journey; never to be forgotten.

[@roberthamilton1301]

@@ZengoMay Cool. We went from Shanghai to Ürümqi Then spent 3 weeks driving around Xinjiang over 2.5 thousand km Such a Beautiful place My second time there definitely not my last... Cheers Mate

[@mz2062]

Great content. Love how its down to earth and not glammed up or wealth thrown down peoples throats doing vids.

[@becsterbrisbane6275]

We need to discuss Noel's lack of culinary adventures on that 20+ hour train! I was very worried about you there & thought you'd wither away, Noel!

[@oliviaoverboard]

i've been binge watching your videos for the past week. love them so much! it's been a stressful week for me and i appreciate your videos to help me relax after work!

[@noelphilips]

I'm so glad!

[@user-vd9qi1jz5j]

Noel I’ve found so many of your videos now from TikTok, you genuinely are a inspiration your fearless , respectful way you approach every destination is incredible , and now I found your story it’s even better, what a fantastic life your managing to build for yourself and your family

[@noelphilips]

Thank you so much 😀

[@alexdavis5766]

Chuggington, wow that’s a blast from the past! Forgot all about that show, loved it as a kid

[@JISJ1964]

Hi! Almaty was the capital of both the Kazak SSR and its first free capital between 1991 and 1997 so the stations were built for the more important city then. It served among others as the speed-skating capital of the Soviet Union as it´s that high up in the mountains.

[@kgmakogon]

by the way, never bother to read comments, but the russian word vokzal and its derivatives in ex soviet republics actually come from the Vauxhall Gardens in London in 1820s! The word at the time of railroad inception in Russia meant " entertainment complex at the station made a la Vauxhall Gardens in London with orchestra, refreshments stands, restaurants and promenades for the public. Sooner, the russified word Vokzal was adopted for the central railway station in any big city.

[@samalaimukhametova7290]

Thanks for the tip. I'll know. It will help me in disputes

[@mcg5404]

Kazakhstan just seems such an amazing country. Would love to visit there. Thanks, Noel, for showing us parts of this amazing country

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joannharrington2279]

Wouldn't be Sunday morning without a Noel Phillips video. It truly is a pretty country. At least if you have to use the bathroom no one can monitor your toilet paper usage. No food offered aboard the train for first class? Despite the nice British couple the trip sounds rough. Safe travels. See you on Sunday for your next video.

[@andrewcoogans471]

You said it was First Class Noel, but actually on the Talgo carriages in Kazakhstan there is a alight upgrade where you can have your own en-suite toilet. It gives you less room in the "bedroom" though because the sink is behind the bathroom wall.

[@gayeeales4037]

Love the variety of transport options - more train trips in the future would be fantastic

[@noelphilips]

More to come!

[@erichfriedli8151]

Hi Noel😃 Great video once more I really want to get going on some sort of trip

[@noelphilips]

Go for it!

[@miwaresoft8641]

Great to see you on a different form of transport - I would love to see more adventures - you know Yaks, Donkeys, Bulls, as well as planes, trains and automobiles!

[@noelphilips]

Noted!

[@adichew]

Surely he’s flown on a YAK before

[@ATtravel666]

My experience of a Russian sleeper train was slightly different. A sleeper train between two cities, a day in the town where my then wife had studied to pick up her stuff from a former land lady and the sleeper train back. I had not slept for two days, we were taking a lot of bags, and it was taking time to clear it. The conductress was barking orders in aggressive Russian. Did I mention I was dead tired. So I walked up to her move some more bags and said in a rather tired, but pissed off tone of voice - "you might as well just shut the fuck up because I can't understand a bloody word you are saying". My wife, and mother in law just dissolved into laughter for some reason.

[@barrygower6733]

I remember passing through Vauxhall on my daily commute into Waterloo. There was often a train made up of milk tanker wagons that had come up from the West Country to pipe their cargo into the nearby bottling plant.

[@dirtyharry3479]

ha ha was on a steam heritage train that broke down yesterday no 35018 broke down near dalton jnt Lucky it only took 2 hours to start the train with 2 diesels Good old br not

[@vinchenzo6845]

18:32 20:15

[@PatrickBurford1]

I’m impressed by the tactile paving for visually impaired people. I honestly wouldn’t have expected that in this area of the world

[@jj-if6it]

Some countries are surprising. Then you have a country like America that doesn't even have sound for blind people crossing the street at pedestrian crossings when the green man goes off

[@Kiiii642]

Өл

[@Makarov934]

Do u expect child shooting, drug abuse , in "first world countries"

[@ЦзинКэ-ы5х]

@@jj-if6it still, I'm not even american, but "Americans with Disabilities Act" is way more progressive than many europeans would like to admit.

[@Emmabebe820]

Love it when you greet the people you meet in their language! 🙏🏻

[@markstedman4592]

This style of videos and content so suit you. Loved this one again. So good to see 'off the radar' countries and places

[@timbacchus]

Such a relief when in another country and you meet someone that speaks your language.

[@annedewsbury3354]

You are a brave man to do this. Thank you. I look forward to your travels.

[@noelphilips]

I appreciate that!

[@frankmarlinghaus6336]

Hey Noel. I just saw your video and it is amazing that you share your adventures with us. There are a lot of countries and cultures we do not know about. I hope your wife is doing better after the surgery a while ago !! ❤ All the best from a German living in Miami .

[@jorgesoaresgeral]

Hello Noel! Great adventure out there! Great music......but in the end everything good! The best! 🙂

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bobsides5445]

I love trains ,I've been on many when I was younger all over Europe and enjoyed them better than flying. I used to book a private room ,at the time it wasn't even expensive when the dollar was worth something. Thanks for this ride along it brought back memories

[@davidbamford1971]

Love it, great video, looks amazing.

[@aslobos]

Ordered my blankie!!!! Woo hoo. 🎉🎉My daughters and I travel a lot, so just perfect. 😴

[@diamondbed86]

Nothing better than a train ride video on a Sunday!

[@nancycowell-miller4321]

Another amazing adventure ❤ Thanks for sharing, I'll cross that one off of my Bucket List!

[@mikepowell7385]

Noel, I never thought you would lie to me, so you didn't need to keep telling me that you weren't going to lie to me! 😅 Did enjoy the "that's what she said" aside! Too good to miss that opportunity 😂

[@petruSarac]

The two pieces of toilet paper thing is a ex soviet space/ Balkans/ Eastern Europe thing. Toilet paper was (and would be) stolen if left in the loo as expected in more civilized parts. Handing out small pieces of toilet paper leaves some for the people working there to take home which is an old Soviet tradition as well. A win-win you could say.

[@alix5704]

Somehow "I have to get back to my seat before I fall face-first into this toilet" is the best line I've ever heard in any channel's loo review.

[@assfghjkl]

Его огромное лицо не вместилось бы в туалет

[@sandy-pf9bb]

Noel, as a person with a strange sense of humor, I very much enjoy the funny things you very quietly work in. I actually backed up your review of the bed to be sure I really heard your whispered remark. I can't stop smiling. I very much enjoy your videos, for various reasons my travels are over so I very much appreciate being taken along on your adventures. They are very satisfying bread and butter and your incidental remarks are the jam. Thank you so much for the joy you bring into my life. (You gave me a new favorite expression last year when you said something was as "rare as rocking horse poo." I wonder how many sheets a rocking horse would be given?)

[@kevinellis8869]

Great to see you back on the rails again, you're certainly seeing many varied styles of transport on this trip.

[@demiller74]

This the best ‘Bald and Bankrupt’ video ever, thanks Noel!

[@JustMe-sn8kd]

His car, the Kia K7, is what we used to call the Cadenza here in the states. The Korean/foreign versions of the car were nicer than we have in the states as it was used as a chauffer's car rather than 1 you drive. They made the larger K900 (K9) which was even better. I love my Cadenza and gave it to my parents a few years ago, still in great condition and a great car, very comfy even after 10 years.

[@teazerfemi]

Thanks a lot Noel for this different dimension, fantastic trip with you

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@venkman7]

I also have to say that while I do love the plane videos, I also really love the train ones too. And the longer the better! Love videos that are at least 20-25 minutes long. You have so many great adventures it's so fun to go along with you. :)

[@noelphilips]

Glad you like them!

[@stanleovart]

Strange that the Car crew not offer neither tea/coffee, nor any food, including supper! In first class especially

[@bigmuggs123]

Another great video Noel thanks for the entertainment. Only thing I knew about Kazakhstan was Borat before watching this adventure, learned a lot so thank u sir

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@grahamstevenson1740]

Your train was one of their new TALGO trains made by TALGO of Spain.

[@ilzambongo]

Seems better than flying with Scat Airlines lol. Great vid, sir. Kazakhstan and Central Asia are hidden jewels

[@HostileMike]

I could get down with some Kazakhstan heavy metal! Another great video sir. Hope Rache is doing well

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Great vlog as always! Planes, trains and automobiles for ya! Instead of polka you got heavy metal! Keep up the good work. Be safe!

[@ivangoubarevpascual4301]

I'm from Spain, where the Talgo trains are from. The moment I saw that train I said wow that train looks familiar and effectively it was a Talgo just with different colors. It was nice seeing the trains I'm so used to see here in another country.

[@ninettemurk7492]

That breakfast car! The music! I was howling, scaring the cats.

[@barry4666]

You always choose the most fitting music for these videos😂

[@flatspin7]

Noel posts video with a train ride across Kazakhstan… me…. Yep… more of that please.

[@uzmaahmed.catmoon]

Good heavans Noel, Talk about a Rocky ride, No pun intended! If I was more of a traveller I would definitely go for the pillow and blanket.

[@cindynimmore]

Noel thanks for this loving kazakstan already

[@KevinJones-qp9er]

Great vlog Noel really great to see different vlogs every now now and then always watching on a sunday 👌

[@noelphilips]

Glad you like them!

[@Sunjoy1]

"that's what she said" 🤣🤣 Love "The Office" humor 😊

[@thetruthwillout9094]

Wow, the colours of the sky out of the window while you were making your bed was amazing. Shame you didn't capture it on video.

[@itsnot.ronnie]

Super behind here 2 months later, came across your channel a couple days ago and I am absolutely hooked. PLEASE keep it all coming! You’re so entertaining and it is amazing to see the world, it’s making me really want to get out and travel internationally. Thanks Noel 🫶🏼

[@noelphilips]

Thank you & welcome aboard!

[@NZExperience]

When speaking English, you put on an accent when speaking to officials. This is not the first time, lol. Reminds me of an Only Fools and Horses episode when Uncle Albert thinks he's speaking German by speaking English with a German accent. lol 😂

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the terrible ride quality and bonk bonk noise of the Talgo coaches. The Soviet stock on the same route is so smooth in comparison. And wow, that sponsorship slot 😬😬😬

[@rbauer961]

The soviet stock has to run at slower speeds. The Talgo train is certified for higher speeds which is why it's bumpier, probably also requires stiffer suspension

[@Minikisses20000]

Hi Noel, I enjoyed your train trip and actually the inside is better than some. I am glad you finally got to your destination, but I have to say, I cringed when you cut across that live track. I work onboard Amtrak long hauls and I would have been fired immediately. In my 19 years I have in countered 1 to many fatalities because someone decided to see if they could beat the train. The only reason I am saying this is because I have to be an advocate and God forbid something happen. Please don't take this the wrong way because I so enjoy watching your vlogs, whether it is on planes or trains. Thanks as always, Kimberly from Vegas 🚆

[@NZExperience]

Re the ultimate train experience - crossing the tracks - the train in San Diego bisects streets downtown and I've seen people clambering between the train cars to cross the street while the train is stationary. This happened near the big SD convention center. So dangerous though - if the train pulls away then the people doing it will be in serious trouble.

[@carlyhunt5339]

Great video Noel. I always love a good train adventure

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jacohauptfleisch935]

Great episode. Time to come to South Africa and try the blue train or Rovos rail. Had a similar experience recently of 2 stations in a city. Switzerland with Basel Bad and Basel SBB. Trying to get the connecting train isnt easy when you are on the wrong station. Would have been nice I have known the there is 2 stations known as Basel. BTW, Wanted one of those Pillow/blankets and they are only available to US/Canada and UK. South Africa not on the list

[@pinkmagiclala]

“I’m gonna get back to my room before I fall face first into this toilet”. Your loo reviews always make me laugh. 😂 When you mentioned the full toilet it got me to thinking about a train you were on where the toilet was literally just a hole in the floor and you said you’d have to be careful about what you ate. 🤣

[@Jeng4280]

It's great you are on a train this week! I about died laughing when you were doing your Loo Review and the train was moving like it was and you said: "Well, I'm going to go back to my room before I fall down, face first in the toilet! ROFLOL! Yeah, you definitely don't want to lose your balance like tha! It wouldn't be good! LOL! Thank you for sharing your trips with us weekly. It's nice traveling on trains..but it might seem a bit cramped for those with claustrophobia!

[@assfghjkl]

Просто ешь меньше

[@Jeng4280]

@@assfghjkl ??

[@sandiandgregh]

As much as we love your flight videos, the train and bus adventures are always intriguing. That was an, um, interesting dining car. Maybe not QUITE a first class experience but hey ho. As always, looking forward to the next one.

[@noelphilips]

Many thanks!

[@louiswest9328]

Great video Noel keep up the good work

[@noelphilips]

Thanks!

[@jasonking6892]

My ex wife was 🇺🇿 Uzbek went to Almaty in 1995 great trip very disorganized but Brilliant 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@DinnerBlasterX]

The carriages on this train, and others like it, ride super rough because they are designed like truck trailers. One wheel at the back end, and the next carriage hooks onto the same axle. This only gives two points of contact for each coach. Pretty scuffed haha😊

[@AT-nq6cu]

Noel, it must have been tough sitting on that bed without having a chair for back support. Another great video.

[@TheLydiaR]

I really love the train reviews. How about the train from Shanghai to Llhasa that I did a few years ago? Took 2 days to get there.

[@RaymondMoore-c4g]

At last I'm legit on tube so after many months of watching the channel I have now subscribed,

[@ericalakatos2240]

That sleeper was so similar to the one you travelled on in India, except much more modern!

[@jimhankinson4428]

I took that train about four years ago, nd my first class compartment had a shower ensuite, which made a huge difference. One of the best nights I've spent on a train; mine was a bit faster than yours too, if I remember correctly. I also had a really good breakfast on the train. Perhaps things have got worse, or perhaps I just had better luck.

[@rbauer961]

The restaurant is usually quite okay. I'm very surprised the conductors allowed people to nap in there. Usually quite forbidden. Perhaps some money exchanged hands

[@tommyovesen]

Ah finally Sunday and a new video from Noel. I will enjoy it now :)

[@xkristianx4747]

I really enjoyed watching this train journey. It was a little scary when you went to get breakfast and people were sleeping 😂. But you done it nearly 20 hour journey fair play to you Noel👍.

[@supericeman1]

love the office shirts in your videos, I'm a big the office fan myself cheers to another banger

[@ianslingsby3415]

Just love it when you do a train feature

[@markclayton626]

Great vid Noel, keep on rolling…. 👍

[@noelphilips]

Thanks 👍

[@shygorilla8082]

1:36 You tell her "Spasibo" and you get the typical look of indifference that is just part of the culture. 🤣🤣🤣

[@samalaimukhametova7290]

This is natural for most CIS countries. For me personally, people in some countries of Europe and America are emotional.

[@mrbelton1871]

Attendant didn't like that it was in russian, not in kazakh "rakhmet"

[@paulineodonnell3163]

My fav ever train journey was an overnight train after a week in ko phan yan from surat Thani to Bangkok. Bangkok post and singha beers for 12 hours. Was bliss

[@paulineodonnell3163]

Nov 2001

[@GiaanPlanes]

Kazakh here, Noel you should fly FlyArystan which is the low cost carrier subsidiary of Air Astana

[@sheilaathay2034]

Awesome video Noel! You nailed it!🎉❤😅

[@noelphilips]

Thank you!! 😁

[@Ceratosaurus4689]

Now that u live here in Texas try coming down to the rgv and crossing to Mexico I live here in Brownsville

[@RussianSevereWeatherVideos]

I love your Soviet train journeys especially much Noel

[@HR-wd6cw]

That's interesting that they have a security checkpoint. Many train stations I've seen don't have this (at least in the US). I'm also surprised you didn't buy snacks for the train (which I do for trains that are more than a few hours, or even then so, I bring at least a few snacks onboard -- unless they don't allow it).

[@itadrummer1]

No tyrannical government- like “ security “ checks in Europe. Most definitely NOT in Italian trains !

[@annbeauchamp6842]

😂 Lol I heard you whisper, that's what she said . So funny. You channel is my favorite!!!!!

[@noelphilips]

😊 thank you

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Fantastic adventure in an amazing country.

[@TheLydiaR]

All looks very modern and clean,

[@ukdavepianoman]

Another brilliant video, Noel. I do love watching your adventures in more unusual places (Kazahkstan and Kyrgyzstan are two countries I'd love to visit). It's also great to watch a traveller make some effort with the language - learning Cyrillic alphabet and saying Spasibo (correctly too!). A pity you couldn't get something to eat...but having seen the carriage of the undead (maybe they had eaten there?!), I can't blame you for beating a hasty retreat.

[@noelphilips]

Awesome, thank you!

[@samalaimukhametova7290]

If I had said thank you in Kazakh, I would have been at least a little surprised.You won’t surprise anyone with Russians, since there are many Russians in different countries, and Russophiles who know basic words at least in Russian

[@SailingCartagena]

Spent 3 days on a Kazakh train, loved it. A slow journey through almost nothing.

[@Kiiii642]

Өл

[@wkaemena]

Well only to mention , that is not a Khazac train , but a train made in Spain with features for Spain. Talgo . Unfortunately all night travel within Spain was abandoned

[@johnfbm]

Noel "I often wonder who lives out here in the middle of nowhere?" West Texas - "Hold my beer"

[@nothingtoseehere370]

this is a nice train that i’ve went from st. petersburg to moscow in an overnight train last year (as a russian myself) it wasn’t amazing it was rather cheap and i had to share the room with 3 other people i had the top bunk and im not too big around 5’8 and every time i lifted up my head i bumped it against the ceiling especially when j woke up it hurt like he’ll also moscow is very complicated with them having a good 3 (most probably more) “vauxhall’s” and it’s a challenge navigating through the moscow metro if you’re not a local

[@almassakpayev6574]

It's actually 2 train stations in Astana, and you've been in the older one's 😅

[@pchaynes]

When I was in Vietnam we had to buy the toilet paper. Another life lesson is to always carry your own.😅

[@jj-if6it]

Just carry packets of tissues everywhere

[@kennethwilson1140]

For the longest commuter train ride from Almaty-1 to Almaty-2, just take the sleeper train from Astana.

[@airfoxtrot2006]

Great video Noel 🎉

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alexdavis5766]

There are many train journeys I would love to do, this one included. But as a full time wheelchair user, sadly I doubt I’ll ever manage it, so I have to live it through videos like these.

[@chrisyravenconlin]

Same.

[@1324TN]

Wheelchair user here, It's a lot better in the states. I've been up and down LA and San Diego through out my life on a train and it's getting better. I went on my first solo trip to Anaheim a couple months ago and it wasn't bad at all. I would like to see what their accessible sleeping quarters are like.

[@alexdavis5766]

@@1324TN I live in the UK and can travel on every train company here and most of Europe (some of Eastern Europe isn’t sadly yet) but dream on a day when I don’t have to worry about places being accessible and can just book and go. I have a KZbin channel I started recently showing how accessible places are and if it takes off, I dream of doing videos on inter railing across America and then driving back across in an adapted mobile home. I did try and find some videos of wheelies on American trains overnight but couldn’t see any. Hopefully one day it’ll be reality. For now I’ll stick to showing accessibility in the Uk (and my recent holiday abroad). Have 10 videos to edit from the summer but been so ill in September/ October I’ve only just this week been well enough to start.