Trans-Mongolian Railway
The Ultimate Alternative to Flying
The Trans-Mongolian Railway is a variant of the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway and one of the great train journeys of the world. The route Moscow → Ulaanbaatar (via Irkutsk and Lake Baikal) takes about 4.5 days and passes through the Russian taiga, past Lake Baikal, and then into the endless Mongolian steppe — an experience that surpasses flying in every way, if you have the time.
Routes & Times
| Route | Duration | Price (2nd class, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow → Ulaanbaatar | 4.5 days | 250–400€ |
| Irkutsk → Ulaanbaatar | 24 hours | 80–150€ |
| Ulaanbaatar → Beijing | 30 hours | 150–300€ |
The moment when the train crosses the Russian-Mongolian border and the landscape suddenly changes — from the dark taiga to wide, open steppe with herds of horses on the horizon — is one of the most magical travel moments Asia has to offer. The train has sleeping compartments, a dining car (with increasingly Mongolian food as you get closer), and an atmosphere that harks back to another era.
