Mongolia Travel Forum

Well, we missed the window of being able to get tix on the TransSiberian railway and now are thinking of trying to do the local trains from Beijing to Erlian and then crossing over the border to Zammin uud. Then on a daily train to UB.

Has anyone done this lately? Is it difficulty w/o speaking the languages? Any tips welcome. Thanks, Kaheger

What window?!?

Otherwise, yes, it's possible. BTW: the Beijing-UB train has Chinese domestic cars, if there is a free place in the international section you always can ask the chief conductor to place you there and pay the difference. Many times we were able to get on the train even if the tickets were "sold out" precisely that way.

Your comment about missed window puzzles me. It means, you can't get.. what?

Thirdly: the people probably won't tell you, but once a week there is a car from Hohhot to Russia. That car is being attached to the train in Erlian. The booking office in Beijing won't sell you (or anyone) a bed in that car and it's pretty unlikely every single bed of 36 will be sold. Just go there and see.

Hi, thanks for the reply w. details. I was referring to the window of opportunity i.e. an early booking which we missed and now missed tix on the transiberian. Oh well, local trains will be fun as well. K.

There is no such thing. There is absolutely no "window of opportunity". I can get (if I am in Europe, we are moving) Transsib tickets anytime, any day. For some international trains that could be a little challenge. Please look at my Russia pages: if nothing else, there is a special car twice a month which is almost empty.

I have no idea where your information is coming from, but it seem to be incorrect or you are misled by some dishonest and / or incompetent agents.

Many ticket agents in China, Russia, etc. charge very high fees and are incompetent.

Hi there!!

I guess you are having a trouble to get Ulaanbaatar (UB) from Beijing (BJ). well there are international trip twice a week. but you're right sometimes the tickets are sold out quite early. So what locals do?

Here you go, first it's quite fun to take this option, taking a sleeping bus from BJ to Erlian (mongolian & chinese border town). Bus leaves around 5 every day then arrives early in the morning like 4 or 5am. then you should cross the border by normal bus to reach Zamiin Uud, Mongolian border town & take daily train to UB. train leaves at 5.55pm so you have enough time to wander around,

view my profile for more infos, and don't hesitate to contact me if you need further infos,

Good luck ,
Tulka.G