Trans Mongolian railway
vacations guide

The Trans Mongolian railway between Moscow and Beijing via Mongolia and the Gobi Desert is no ordinary train ride. It is 7,600km of adventure, romance and cultural revelations, a constantly evolving cast of characters each with their own stories to tell, set against a kaleidoscopic backdrop of ancient cities, nomadic settlements and vast empty spaces just beyond the carriage windows.
You may have heard the old travelers’ saying that ‘it’s the journey, not the destination.’ On Trans Mongolian railway vacations, it’s both.
After the onion-shaped domes of Moscow, the deep and mysterious pine forests of Siberia give way to the barren Gobi Desert, dotted with traditional ger encampments, then finally the mountains of China as you approach Beijing, and the chance to catch your first glimpse of the Great Wall. All vacations should be this moving. Find out more in our Trans Mongolian railway vacations guide.
See all our Trans Mongolian Railway Vacations Give us a call

Our Trans Mongolian Railway Vacations

See all our Trans Mongolian Railway VacationsGive us a call

What do Trans Mongolian railway vacations entail?

The Trans Mongolian railway is a branch route off the main Trans Siberian network, the longest railway in the world running from Moscow to Vladivostok, which was built at the direction of Russian Tsars. It leaves the Trans Siberian at Irkutsk on the western tip of Lake Baikal, and cuts through a swathe of Mongolia and the Gobi Desert on its way to Beijing. It’s all subjective of course, but we’d say the Trans Mongolian is definitely the most interesting and atmospheric of the various Trans Siberian routes.

Trans Mongolian itineraries

Traveling nonstop, either eastbound or westbound, the Trans Mongolian would take around seven days, but our trips typically last anywhere between two weeks and over a month. Itineraries usually involve leaving and rejoining the train at least every couple of days, staying in locally run hotels and guesthouses, or even family homes, so that you actually only sleep on the train around one in every three nights. Local guides will meet you and you’ll be accompanied by a professional tour leader throughout the trip. An iconic train journey that’s an ambition for many travelers, almost no one undertakes a hop-on, hop-off Trans Mongolian trip single-handed; the level of organisation involved with acquiring visas, excursions, transfers and suitable accommodations makes it essential to use a specialist operator.

Planning needs to begin at least several months before you intend to travel. Visas will need to be arranged, and the itinerary is hung around train timings. It’s also worth noting that, as tickets can only be booked 45 days in advance, schedules are subject to change. There are more daily departures between destinations in spring and summer than in winter.
Almost every trip is a small group tour, with maximum numbers of around 15 people. Some offer monthly departures throughout the year while others operate more frequently. Popular excursions range from Lake Baikal in Siberia, reckoned to be the deepest in the world; the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar; and Terelj National Park. The train crosses from Europe into Asia in the Urals, and at the border with China the train pauses for around four hours while the bogies are changed – something that many travelers find interesting to watch. However, keep in mind you can’t leave the train during this process, and the toilets are locked, so make sure you use the loo before you reach the border.

Itineraries can be bookended with further exploration too; for instance in China you might carry on beyond Beijing to Xian, Hong Kong, even to Japan, while at the other end many people choose to continue from Moscow to St. Petersburg. While most trips are one way, involving a flight home, there’s nothing to stop you returning overland again if you prefer.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Trans Mongolian Railway or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
phone
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
email

Train life

While on the train, you’ll probably spend most of your time in your own compartments. Expect a reasonable level of comfort and space, but be prepared for it to be quite chilly in winter, and a little on the stuffy side in summer. A restaurant car is attached to the train but you can also get by on your own supplies.
It is worth exploring the train now and again, if only because having a wander down the carriage increases your chances of meeting fellow passengers – a wide variety of people from many different nationalities. Most will probably speak very little English, but a pack of cards, an offer of chocolate or a flask of vodka, and a friendly smile, are often the only form of communication you need.

Your tour leader will be there not to act as a guide, but to ensure the trip itinerary runs smoothly, such as with transfers, border crossings and meeting up with local guides at each stop. These are brief but fascinating encounters with varied places and cultures, and the undisputed highlight of any Trans Mongolian trip. No two days are ever the same.

More about Trans Mongolian Railway

Best time to go on the Trans Mongolian
Best time to go on the Trans Mongolian
The best time to go on a Trans Mongolian railway vacation will for the most part depend on what kind of scenery you want to see and what you’d like to do on each excursion.
Life onboard the Trans Mongolian Railway
Life onboard the Trans Mongolian Railway
Life onboard the Trans Mongolian railway is a movable feast of culture, with plenty of opportunities to get to know your fellow passengers a little as you travel between stations.
Trans-Mongolian Railway map & highlights
Trans-Mongolian Railway map & highlights
Traveling east or west, there are a few unmissable stops on any Trans Mongolian itinerary - our Trans Mongolian map and highlights page takes a closer look at the places you’ll be visiting.
Trans Mongolian plus
Trans Mongolian plus
Just because you’ve reached the end of the line doesn’t mean your adventures have to be over. Our suppliers can often help you with a Trans Mongolian 'plus' itinerary.
Types of Trans Mongolian railway holidays
Types of Trans Mongolian railway vacations
Fancy Nadaam in Mongolia, or Christmas in Siberia - we run through a handful of the different types of Trans Mongolian railway vacations available to you, and what each has to recommend it.
How to choose the right trip
How to choose the right trip
Planning a journey on either the Trans Siberian or Trans Mongolian is significantly more complex than booking your average train trip - here’s how to choose the right trip for you.
Lake Baikal in Siberia
Lake Baikal in Siberia
Vast Lake Baikal, ‘Pearl of Siberia’, is virtually an inland ocean - frozen through winter and spring, and in summer a beloved destination among Russians for boating, fishing and picnicking.
Save or splurge on Trans Mongolian
Save or splurge on Trans Mongolian
A trip on the Trans Siberian or Trans Mongolian is the adventure of a lifetime but it’s not cheap, and deciding whether you should save or splurge on it is should be part of your decision-making process.
What to expect in a Mongolian ger
What to expect in a Mongolian ger
Read our guide to what to expect from a stay in a Mongolian ger so that on arrival in Ulaanbaatar you'll be up to speed on the practicalities, the traditions, and what you need to bring.
Responsible travel on the Trans Mongolian railway
Responsible travel on the Trans Mongolian railway
We take a look at responsible tourism on the Trans Mongolian railway, with tips for respecting traditional Mongolian culture, and why cheap cashmere has unseen environmental costs.
Give us a call

More relevant guides

Railway
Written by Rob Perkins
Photo credits: [Page banner: Marko Mikkonen] [Trans Mongolian itineraries: Boccaccio1] [Train life: John Pannell]
Vacations that you view will be shown here. If you'd like any help contact us.