Ukraine Sleeper Train: The World's Slowest Train?

I took a Ukraine Sleeper Train from Uzhgorod to Lviv, Ukraine! This train takes over 6 hours to cover just 120 miles, giving an average speed of just 20mph as it crawls across Ukraine. The quirkiest train I've ever taken!
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[@manubird2475]

To answer your question, Yes! More train videos, please.

[@johndukes2284]

So sad and emotional to watch this video today, it's difficult to imagine what is going on in that area right now and the suffering the people of Ukraine are suffering today. My thoughts are with them all and my hope that Noel and others are able to return and experience the wonderful country and people of Ukraine

[@tesse71]

My thoughts also. To see this train, I could only see heartbreak as thousands have used it to try to get to safety. 😢

[@KGBT-PLUS]

Hopefully all the Ukrainian neo-nazis will be gone soon. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people.

[@bics-tc8vr]

I thought what you're both thinking. Reading both your words just makes things more real....... Everything is so normal in this video. Let's not take peace for granted. It takes one madman or madwoman to change everything.

[@omsioko9931]

Yeah. Before the war😩 🇫🇮❤️🇺🇦

[@GingerJohnny]

My thoughts are with the ethnic Russians of the Donbass who have been attacked since 2014 which led to the Russian intervention 🇬🇧♥️🇷🇺

[@golddalekwho5944]

Nice to see you give the lady who did your coffee some money as you got off the train.

[@Martino0121]

GoldDalek Who I think Noel was slipping her his number #Playa

[@Hillbillyhotcouple]

In the USA on Amtrak it is customary to tip your sleeper attendant at the END of the trip. Trust me never tip them before the end. And tip them only if they perform the services that are required to be performed.

[@golddalekwho5944]

@@Hillbillyhotcouple But this is different. It's far from Amtrak and what their employees may receive in renumeration. This woman may have appreciated the money much more.

[@EasyLife240p]

@@golddalekwho5944 I don't know about the Ukranian ones, but the trains I have been on around the USSR charge for it

[@tomkwakkenbos]

I had to pay too for my tea in Ukrainian trains. I think only 20 cents or so though

[@austinlee8057]

Noel: I bought four tickets to ensure I get a room to myself. Me: Are you that rich? Noel: It's only 6 pounds each. Me: OH OKAY I WOULD BOOK FOUR AS WELL!

[@ligametis]

With a bit more money it is better to book first class two bed room that has tv, power outlets, conditioning and more comfortable interior.

[@noelvliegenthart7858]

Funny my name is also Noël

[@garriethomas4398]

@@noelvliegenthart7858 Why is it No L when there is clearly an L in your name? :/

[@emilyhornett2492]

@@garriethomas4398 😂😂

[@Jayfive276]

Why can’t you just say “wow that’s really cheap”. Why do you constantly talk in this dumb greentext shit?

[@nathantwomey9239]

Didn’t know Bald had a little brother

[@BZK-.]

me neither

[@JudeTheYoutubePoopersubscribe]

Haha they are pretty similar

[@DurhamGooner]

Just needs to grasp the lingo.....;)

[@brianadeva4560]

Needs to speak the linggo

[@Gruezi583]

@@thisispersia9021 DAAAA HOSPATI !!!!!!

[@steve-marsh]

You bought 4 seats, you should have had 4 coffees! Your face during coffee service 😂

[@JmanSKI]

You're right though, he paid 4 seats he should get 4 coffees or teas.

[@TanoTuesday]

You have to pay for tea and coffee. I am from Ukraine originally and all the snacks and drinks aren't free

[@EnotWilde]

Literally just boarded a sleeper train to Kiev and now I see you posting this. Talk about coincidence :D Great vids btw, keep it up!

[@andriyzas1995]

Ukraine Sleeper Train is a cheap night hostel on the wheels. I love it.

[@carolineclark7642]

I love seeing old trains. It reminds me of my childhood.

[@eottoe2001]

Sleeper trains are good way to use sleep time and usually better value than hotel.

[@icetigerofficial4245]

I was actually there))) I was buying a dog in Uzhgorod, and I met Noel and helped him a little

[@CalebBoender]

You were buying a dog? 🤨

[@icetigerofficial4245]

@@CalebBoender yes, I was buying a puppy for myself

[@CalebBoender]

I am sorry but I really don’t like the sound of “buying a dog”

[@icetigerofficial4245]

@@CalebBoender what's so wrong about that? It is a common thing to either buy yourself a pet or get it for free from a shelter... I bought a beautiful Labrador retriever puppy, he is now 2 years old

[@CalebBoender]

I believe the proper way to obtain a pet is to adopt one not buy one. Buying a dog from breeders is also bad because breeders are breeding dogs just to make money

[@nataliab5669]

It’s surreal watching this video and realizing how much Ukraine has changed. It’s hard to believe that Ukraine is in the middle of a war and the people you see in this video are either fighting to defend their country or are refugees. It’s amazing how fast people’s lives can change.

[@ProfessionalFloridian]

We do not care

[@KimKimGregory]

@@ProfessionalFloridian You obviously care enough to make careless and insensitive replies.

[@AbsoluteMiniacGena]

Noel - I would love to see more of these. In fact after watching your videos, I’ve decided for my 50th birthday, I’m going to get a passport. I’m more likely to do a train journey though due to using a wheelchair 🦽 for my fibromyalgia.

[@khaziayin]

the light switches on Ukrainian sleeper trains only start working when the train starts moving. Also you were on an older train, as newer ones do have an outlet that you can use to charge your devices.

[@jaybvideo]

Got a Ukrainian train from Kyiv to Moscow a few months ago, great experience with comfortable beds, although language barriers.

[@MikayeYakovlev]

Those trains are intentionally nicer, but more expen

[@andrewcoogans471]

I laughed as you entered the cabin and noticed the "retro" features....as I boarded the night train Lviv-Odessa my first words as I attempted to untangle my trolley bag wheels from the rug were "It smells like the Transport Museum!" I love overnight trains so more videos please!

[@UkeaOP]

In my experience, trains in Ukraine only have two times: Too early or too late. Either you leave at a reasonable time and get in at stupid early in the morning or leave at 2 AM and get in at a reasonable time. The switch was for the piped music system, not the best for sleeping. Some of the newer trains have a power outlet above the door, but like you mention, bring a battery charger just in case. As for AC, good luck! That’s what the windows are for 😅 Thanks for the ever-interesting videos! Love seeing all parts of the world, from familiar to the distant.

[@solracer66]

For those not familiar with Ukrainian or Russian the label read "Radio", just in Cyrillic...

[@miaso130]

Also in soviet-style trains still used in ex-ussr countries the lights are controlled from the train conductor room and may be forced on or off during stops or at night. That's why your switches were not working. I bet when the train started moving all those switches started working

[@Looneluxxe]

so true. I vaguely recall the sleeper trains I've taken departing sometime between 1 and 2am. If we're lucky we'd occasionally get one departing sometime after 11pm lol

[@solracer66]

Back in 1997 I rode trains in Ukraine from Kiev to Kherson and then to Simferopol and on to Yalta by bus. I was surprised save for some new paint that the coaches and rooms have not changed a bit. I see they are still slow, quirky and even more a trip back in time than they were back then!

[@thedirtydaniel3998]

8:43 How she looks when she sees the camera XD

[@infin4t3_v01d]

Leidenschaft HD was about to comment this as well ahahahhaha

[@BsBsBock]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jazzfan4566]

Some years ago three of us were travelling on business from Ternopil to Kyiv and the sleeper car was identical to the one you were in. I ended up in the top bunk. No guard rail to keep you from falling if the train lurched so I attached my belt from two belt loops in my pants to a pipe. Didn't sleep at all as the car was excessively hot and the noise of the train kept us up all night.

[@pompousdenial]

I burst out laughing twice at this. Loved the coffee service 😂 this video had a sense of humour which is different from most of the other stuff I’ve seen from you. Really enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@iansmith2549]

Love this video Noel, gives you the enthusiasm to use these trains more than the plane in the future.

[@DanielsUKT]

Nice journey from uzhgorod to lviv very retro style train indeed and the attendant seemed nice. I will watch more content from your channel I like it

[@noelphilips]

Thanks a ton

[@DanielsUKT]

@@noelphilips no problem

[@ladislavmalak444]

Well, Noel, now imagine several times the same route, from Leningrad (now Sankt Peterburg), via Lviv and Uzhorod all the way to (my then home town) Kosice. Gruelling two-and-half-day trip. I mean, crawl.... Summer 1989, never will forget that experience....

[@thomasraden]

A tech tip. On your GoPro, use 2.7K and 60 fps with linear FOV for smoother video. For easier edit, use 2.7K or 1080p instead of 4K.

[@AodhanP]

Enjoyed this and much prefer these kind of videos to the usual Business class boring flight videos so common on KZbin. Was a nice gesture tipping the lady when you got off the train

[@ronriesinger7755]

I’ve taken quite a few train trips in Ukraine and other former Soviet countries. Your experience was quite similar to mine. My overnight trains have taken me from Kharkiv to Lviv and Kiev to Odessa. I actually enjoyed sharing compartments with other travelers since we were able to share culture and food. I have to say that they do overheat the trains and there is often little that can be done to adjust the temperature, but that is true in most of the older buildings in the former Soviet republics. The attendants are always helpful, like you experienced and the tea and coffee service is the same in each system in the region. Thanks for the video.

[@joshuadavies8358]

Brilliant Noel would love to see more of these thank you so much I find these so relaxing

[@DRAINTVofficial]

I recommend you try Regiojet trains found in Slovakia and Czech republic

[@ericwright1840]

It's probably a lot slower today.

[@UFO1601]

Excellent Vlog Noel , I really admire your passion for travel and your sleeper train journeys are excellent, if not slightly bizarre on occasion.

[@Clyde_Lewis]

"Not cool at all, but they're retro." This is a great video. Thank you. :)

[@maximilienrobespierre7927]

2:49 "There's no signs anywhere" Literally the electronic sign behind him that he shows in the next jumpcut:

[@piermariobarozzi]

Man I love this side of Europe, it has some strange appeal to me, and your videos as always are lovely. The narration and music make them really cool

[@steveknight6070]

Love watching these vlogs. Keep them coming.

[@noelphilips]

More to come!

[@Edogawa1117]

Great vid as always but you said train travel in that area gets you immersed in the local culture while at the same time you bought up all 4 seats in your compartment so you didn't have to share.

[@jonclassical5710]

I continue to enjoy the train travel very much, please keep doing them!

[@denisefoxcroft8920]

How the world now knows Kyiv, Lviv, Mariupol, Kharkiv and so many Ukranian towns. But in such a sad way thanks to Russias modern day tsar. He had no reason for this invasion. How quickly times change. In your wildest imagination I bet you never dreamt this would one day happen. Prayers to Ukraine.

[@kiwanczyk]

The Polish trains I used to travel on back in the 80ties were exactly the same! Down to the volume knob that did not work and being perpetually overheated. Noel, when are you going to do a flight on LOT, ( Polish airlines)? I fly with them twice a year and love them for long hauls on the Dreamliner, from LAX to Warsaw. Loving your vids, btw. You helped me overcome my fear of flying!

[@christopherdewar3818]

First class has two bunks and it does have a power socket above the door. It’s a bit more expensive than its worth though IMO. Getting a bottom bunk on the coupe class is very much recommended. You should try the intercity plus train next if you’re still in Ukraine, they run through Lviv and it goes to Kyiv (and starts on Pzemysl in Poland).

[@tehblizz]

Wasn't expecting this one, it was great! Thanks :)

[@herenow6953]

Now that's travelling 😁👍 I love these more random trips - I once took a sleeper train from Wuhan to Beijing - one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life- especially as in these countries with a totally foreign language and alphabet you have to have a bit of courage! More of these as well as your great flight reviews Noel!

[@rolandcastelino1053]

Enjoying your clips. Would definitely like to see some more of your train travels. It breaks it up a little bit. Cheers

[@victorking6384]

Try the Adelaide - Perth IP, I think you might enjoy it.

[@VerticallyChallengered]

Great video! Really enjoyed it. Definitely a unique way to travel.

[@fredskronk]

Yea. Really would like more sleeper train videos.

[@neillock1807]

Three years ago, I took the sleeper train from Kiev to Genichesk and back. First class; Soviet first class. Each way, it cost about as much as a return to London from my local station in Surrey. It was faster than your train, Noel - about 900km in 15 hours. These were two berth compartments, and I had Ukrainian companions both ways. On the way down, a nice lady of about my age, who spoke almost no English. (There's no gender separation in Ukraine sleeper trains!) Coming back, a rather suspicious gentleman. I enjoyed the trip; but I didn't enjoy arriving in Kiev at 5:30 in the morning!

[@iamthatguy8207]

I gave this a like as soon as I saw the title. Great vid!!

[@Ty4ons]

One tip, learning Cyrillic is very quick and quite handy for small pieces of text. Like with that knob above the window, phonetically translating that text it says "radio" so it's pretty obvious what it does. Russian and Ukrainian have a lot of loan words so simple words like that are often easy to understand.

[@winni223]

These 47K cars were made in GDR at VEB Waggonbau Ammendorf. Still in use allover ex-Soviet territories, some modernized, some not. By then-Soviet standards yours was almost perfect )

[@markstedman4592]

I absolutely loved this video. I thought it was one of your funniest in ages. Great sense of humour shown. Loved the 'Old Lady's Living Room' and the Nescafe! Please do more of these 😊

[@johnnyboy3949]

Yes more videos on all travels please! Doesn’t matter what mode of transport

[@jontownsend8090]

Definitely, more railway vids please. I travel extensively from the UK to all points of the compass, was in Ukraine during the summer, i loved it.

[@LEMMYLEMON]

Amazing review! I can’t imagine how many languages I would have to learn to travel around Europe 😂. But the attendant seemed very nice despite the language barrier.

[@icalexander]

taking trains is so much fun. Last train I was on was the bullet train between Barcelona and Madrid Spain. Myself and my wife paid for preferente class which is first class so we had big cushy leather seats, wonderful meals and plenty of entertainment ( either onboard movie or there was a selection of commercial free music channels to pick from) Wonderfully smooth at 192MPH and it took 3 1/2 hours to get from A to B. I'd definitely do it again and would recommend taking the high speed train network around Spain if you're not keen on driving for several hours between major cities.

[@dcbrit2003]

Yes, more sleeper train videos! trans-siberian next?

[@miskaffon]

It looks so much like the car I was in on the Moscow-Leningrad (St. Petersburg) night train I rode in 1990! That was such a fun ride! Though we were 4 teens to one of those rooms...and we had a blast of course...sorry to those who had to ride in our cars we were loud Americans. 😂

[@SomeUkrainian69_420_1337_228]

The reason you had no power in the compartment and buttons weren't working, is because the power comes from a generator which generates electricity from the wheels moving, and while the train is standing the accumulators turn on, and while they're on nothing can be used or turned on except lights.

[@HR-wd6cw]

For security reasons the crew may have keys to all rooms so I guess there probably isn't much you can do about that, although the room is probably locked for other people, so a special key would be needed (likely for emergency and law enforcement purposes, etc).

[@ineedthekrup5333]

I want to do a train tour and had no idea that in Europe it is a shared cubical situation. Thank You for the heads up and now know to plan accordingly.

[@lkrnpk]

not always, but in sleeper trains you can get these ''cabins/cubicles'' and it's a way better way to travel if you can afford to take one (if you travel alone, even better if you are several people)

[@charlesrabb5568]

I hope your train attendant is ok You are so lucky to have done this when you did. Good bless the Ukraine people

[@nealsokay3243]

Enjoying the sleeper train series

[@markrokycky1458]

Tbh this train looks bad, but when I was in Ukraine we took their new trains that they ordered and they were extremely new, modern and fast. Too bad you were left with that train

[@jfmezei]

In Canada, we used to have the "Cavalier" overnight train service from Montreal to Toronto which joines with a stub that came from Ottawa. The two trains joiined at Brockville and the joined train stayed there for a couple hours. Train left Montréal at 23:30 and arrived Toronto at 07:30 so an 8 hour journey do to 500km or 62kmh average. They did it this way to have a decent departure time from Montréal and Ottawa and arrive in downtown Toronto not too early so you had plenty of time to sleep, wash up, get dressed and be ready for breakfast as you got off train and went to meetings etc. So sometimes, the train journey is made longer on purpose to make your arrival time more convenient. Some trains can arrive at destination say at 03:30 and stay at platform till say 08:00 so people can still sleep. But prior to trains being self contained, the "do not flush while in station" would be a negative for spending 5 hours in train station versus going slow in rural areas.

[@lzh4950]

Thought the same too for the overnight train between Hanoi & the border town of Lao Cai in Vietnam (300km in ~8h, though they do operate day services too, but with more stops)

[@siyuchen1518]

Love these type of random transportation. I’d also love to see what you ate on the journeys!!

[@stevemclean3841]

Thanks Noel…another great video from an unlikely source. You made me laugh at your expressions when they brought you a coffee. It made my morning. Your knack at bringing out the best in these videos are uncanny. Keep up the great work.

[@seanmerrick430]

Wait a minute this isnt bald and bankrupt

[@TheAntoine48]

lol

[@MonstaAU]

We need a collab once he is out of hospital.

[@alejandropalacios9292]

He is not the only bald in this business...

[@michaelm2343]

He’s bald and almost bankrupt

[@carolbrand181]

Just found this one and I agree it's not a bad way or price to travel . Xx

[@lorijohnston4311]

More sleeper train videos, please! I love the trains.

[@peterkaykov273]

The thing that you thought that was a air conditioning switch is was a radio lol

[@belugast]

Noel enjoyed you little train journey looked fun. Please do more in the future. Reminded me of an overnight Moscow - St.Petersburg journey I did i 1999, loads of cheap vodka and caviar, was great experience!! We returned on Polkovo TU-154B to Moscow that was fun and very bumpy terrible weather, shame crew were grumpy sods!

[@careygrant8697]

Great to watch! Was there food on board? What was the bathroom like? Did you manage to turn the lights off?

[@kingraghavsahni]

Yes ok yes

[@solracer66]

@@kingraghavsahni Do the toilets still empty onto the track?

[@CalebBoender]

@@solracer66 yes

[@James-C-Callan]

Noel pleeesse do more sleeper train videos 🙏🏻

[@ToiOraLAT]

yeah train stuff is gr8

[@martinwarsaw5762]

Love the shirt “Escape to Paradise” sums ups the trip lol

[@Miya_Rose635]

Martin Warsaw 😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@ronriesinger7755]

I have had several overnight trips on Ukrainian trains. I didn’t see you point out that there is space for luggage under the bottom seats. Using that frees up a lot of space. Also, the reason for the unusual coffee service is that the only source of hot water is from the giant “kettle” (samovar? I forget the Russian word) at the end of the car. I have had great experiences on overnight trains. I have shared a first class compartment with a Ukrainian businessman. Neither of us spoke enough of the others language to carry on a conversation, but we shared food and used sign language, which was enough. On a round trip from Kiev to Odessa, I had good conversations in English with three others, again sharing food. My only complaint was the heat; but then even apartments and other buildings seem to be much warmer than my American taste. I’ve just learned to wear light clothing!

[@markstedman4592]

Still one of my all time favourites this one Noel 🙂 love this video from start to finish

[@alexmurphy9919]

'despite the language barrier it felt like a grandma looking after me' - that is the most charming thing in train travelling in ex-USSR countries. Like - seriously, it is some sort of a professional mentality - for people working in trains the passengers are someone they shall take care of, someone they are responsible for, like... I don't know why, but a lot of train conductors in ex-USSR countries (or provodnitsas and provodniks, if you prefer) try to act in such manner, that you could feel yourself as their guest, or even more - as their relative. And it's goddamn charming. That's why people in Russia, Belarus or Ukraine still prefer trains much more than airlines.

[@alexmurphy9919]

P.S. Guys! When you travel trains in Russia, Ukraine or Belarus - PLEASE DO NOT PAY FOR THE WHOLE COMPARTMENT! Like - first - you buy four seats, while you need one, and if someone urgently needs to go by the same train, this person has less chances to find tickets for train. Second - the main point of train travelling (especially when you don't know the country or even don't speak the language) is to meet people. You seriously underestimate the culture of train travelling in ex-USSR countries, where people really appreciate having a good companion in their compartment. P.P.S. And - yes, these second-class train cars were introduced in the USSR not for having the hotel-room experience (for that you have to pay for first-class), initially they were meant for travelling with families (that's why there are for seats in each compartment - for parents and couple of kids).

[@jaybvideo]

You must visit the state aviation museum just outside Moscow, a train ride away. There is loads of soviet aircraft including a tupolev 144! There is also vostok and a yak 42 in the centre of VDNKH in Moscow.

[@loltangera]

Very interesting video, I'd like to see more similar ones. Presumably the train travels slowly to give you a chance to sleep, if it went any faster you'd reach the destination too quickly and you'd be bounced out of your bed. There's less traffic at night so sleeper trains can travel slower without disrupting other services.

[@steve-marsh]

Omg Noel, you brave! And also I don’t know how I’d cope with all the signs in Ukrainian. And the woman in the corridor who wouldn’t move 😂 what an experience! Cheap though I guess!

[@Mark13091961]

I found this fascinating even if watching it a year late. I took a couple of Ukrainian train journeys in 2017 (Ternopil to Kiev and back) the outbound was their equivalent of inter city and the 250 mile (approx) journey was completed in 4 hours or so. The return was on a sleeper pretty much identical to this but took nearly 10 hours. I recall the same carpets and plastic bunks and grim curtains. The only difference was my journey was completed during the day and I did share the compartment with 2 others. This vid brings it all back. Hope you got to see something of Lviv because the old city is truly stunning and well worth a visit.

[@pavvel3691]

Love the train videos much more than the planes ones :)

[@twinstickpete]

Hahahaaaaaaaa, Your face with the coffee lady was priceless....Love your vids...

[@hermenegildoc3933]

Spain hoteles are quite cheap outside Madrid and Barcelona, and costal touristy tows. Zaragoza is 32€/night

[@elizabethgarlick1874]

Noel, brilliant video and yes you should (in addition to your flight vids) do more train (& boat) journeys. Very entertaining from a down to earth selection of vids. Happy 2020 travelling 😊

[@shelagh7850]

I recommend the Ghan in Australia and the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada.

[@hallgeirhansen9124]

Love your videos. Cant stop watching em... Keep it up... please

[@rayhankareem6360]

I love your content its diverse different modee of transport across the world. Keep it up you will get alot more supporters i love youtube channel its lovely to watch.

[@massivley]

Love watching these sleeper train videos highly addictive

[@marclewis2500]

Yes please Noel more of the same. More details on bed comfort, bathroom and food availability. Overnight trains are very interesting.

[@DavidLari]

Very cool. It was nice to see the part of the world my paternal family came from. Thanks!

[@brianolson6366]

Looks like something I would enjoy

[@grainnemurphy]

Yes please to more sleeper trains! So different. And I love your honest reviews.

[@rod_at_adelaide5766]

Very interesting Noel, looked like great value. Your tip disappeared like she was a magician 😃

[@roberthamilton1301]

Thanks !

[@Watfordfc2030]

Superb stuff and so retro , looked like you gave the lady a tip which was nice and the right thing to do , love these videos as so so interesting and different ,next up please can you fly cubana lol

[@flopunkt3665]

That station looks surprisingly busy for 5:58 AM

[@goodi2shooz]

I absolutely love the sleeper train journeys or any train journey for that matter

[@thetruthhurts2198]

Must admit not really into your plane videos, but your overnight train sleeper videos are great 👍