Your guide to the Trans-Mongolian
The Trans-Mongolian railway may be dwarfed by its famous cousin, the Trans-Siberian, but this fantastic route offers an eye-opening and captivating experience for first-time and returning travellers. Like the Trans-Siberian railway, the Trans-Mongolian takes you on an unforgettable journey by train travelling to and through a variety of destinations and the vast, seemingly unexplored landscapes of Mongolia.
You’ll be in awe of the Gobi Desert, the grassy steppes of the wild-horse-occupied plains and then Ulaanbaatar, the laid back capital of this nomadic nation. We reveal more about what you can expect from your Trans-Mongolian rail experience, giving you all the inspiration you need to extend your visit to the Trans-Siberian railway.
The trains
Living on a Trans-Siberian train is an experience in itself. The trains that run on the Trans-Mongolian route are considered to be better equipped than other public trains. Here you’ll find not just sleeping cars, dining facilities, western-style toilets and washrooms with sinks, but actual showers! The Trans-Mongolian Moscow to Beijing train is the only public train that has them, providing a home away from home for travellers looking for comfort and adventure.
In the dining car of Trans-Mongolian trains, you’ll also discover a long list of local delicacies. Rice and mutton are both staple dishes within nomadic and settled Mongolian communities, and you’ll get to taste both in the Mongolian Railways restaurant car.
The route
The Trans-Mongolian route is 4,735 miles long in comparison to the longest and least popular Moscow to Vladivostok route, which spans 6,152 miles and takes seven nights to complete. The Trans-Mongolian is also shorter than the Moscow to Beijing via Harbin route. Known as the Trans-Manchurian railroad route, it’s 5,623 miles long and the oldest of the two routes that journey to Beijing.
The Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia route may be the shortest but it is considered the most interesting of the three Trans-Siberian routes. The Trans-Mongolian railroad route takes just over five days to complete and offers varied scenery to ensure the perfect fit for travellers from all walks of life.
The sights
The Trans-Mongolian takes in a number of natural wonders, including the never-ending Gobi Desert, before crossing the Chinese border. There are many more must-sees for people travelling on the Trans-Mongolian railway as Culture Trip describes:
“Visiting Mongolia is very popular… because of its untouched nature, vast steppes, stunning deserts, livestock freely walking around, nomadic culture and hospitable people. A few must-visit spots in Mongolia include: the empty steppe of the Gobi Desert, the Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s most important Buddhist monastery, the monument to Genghis Khan at the Sukhbaatar Square, and the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.”
Book now
Booking your own Trans-Mongolian adventure is easy with a little help from our team. We deliver a selection of trips to ensure you can take in all that Inner and Outer Mongolia has to offer. Our Classic Trans-Mongolian Moscow to Beijing trip is a popular option. With a duration of nine days, it offers a whistle-stop tour of Mongolia, passing through the Gobi Desert and the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. Please note this package does not stop in Mongolia.
Travellers looking to stop off in Mongolia and stay a little longer will love our Classic Outer and Inner Mongolia Moscow to Beijing package. At 21 days long, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the land of Genghis Khan and visit the independent country of Outer Mongolia, one of the world’s least visited nations.
Don’t delay, start planning your itinerary for your very own Trans-Mongolian experience.
