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Trans-Mongolian Express Westbound


Your 9-day journey begins in Beijing and takes you through the Gobi Desert, passing by Lake Baikal and through Siberia to the Russian capital, Moscow.
Overview
Our fast-track Trans-Mongolian Railway experience! This Trans-Mongolian Express tour is ideal for those wanting to travel from Beijing to Moscow, while enjoying the spectacular views of Lake Baikal, the Siberian Taiga and the Gobi Desert from the edge of their seat. If you enjoy travelling by train or are an avid backpacker looking for a cheaper Trans-Mongolian tour, this is a perfect choice. Your 9-day journey begins in Beijing and takes you through the Gobi Desert, passing by Lake Baikal and through Siberia to the Russian capital, Moscow.
All relevant Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian rail tickets
Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey
Russian letter of invitation and visa support documents for China and Mongolia
Breakfast at all hotels, homestays and other accommodation
Itinerary


Beijing
The capital of China, Beijing, has a long history stretching back over 3000 years. The city is known for its unrivalled culture and architecture and is home to no less than 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the world-famous Forbidden City complex and the Badaling Great Wall of China. Beijing is one of the ‘Four Great Ancient Capitals of China’ and has been the political centre of the country for 800 years.
Day 1
Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing! Your driver will meet you at your arrival point and take you to your hotel for check-in.
You will have the rest of the day to explore the city for yourself or relax in your hotel.

Imperial Palace Nine Dragon Wall, Beijing, China

Jade Belt Bridge at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

Marble Boat at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

Suzhou Market Street Façade in Summer, Beijing, China

Temple of Heaven at Night, Beijing, China

Tiananmen Square Gate of Heavenly Peace at Sunset, Beijing, China
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 2
Sightseeing tour of Beijing
You will have a half day city tour introducing you to the main sites of Beijing, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City followed by lunch.
Today you will meet your guide after breakfast and embark on a half-day city tour of Beijing. You will get to explore many of the city’s most famous locations including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden Palace, followed by lunch.
Your day will end back at the hotel, where you will have the rest of the day free.
Breakfast & Lunch
Temple of Heaven
Expert Guide
The Circular Mound Altar
The Cypress Grove Temple
Scenic Surrounds
HongQiao Pearl Market
Souvenir Shopping
Free Time
Day 3
Free time in Beijing
After breakfast, you will have most of the day free to relax and explore Beijing or take one of our optional Beijing city excursions.
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 4
Your Trans-Mongolian experience begins
After breakfast, you will have some time in the morning to pack and do some last-minute exploring before checking out of your hotel and meeting your driver for the transfer to the train station.
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Transfer to Train
Expert Guide
Travel to


Trans-Mongolian
A variant of the traditional Trans-Siberian Railway, the Trans-Mongolian is one of the best ways to reach and explore Mongolia and passes between Moscow and Beijing visiting the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar on the way. The train journey itself offers diverse, spectacular views from the alpine forest regions of Siberia to the vast, arid Gobi Desert before skipping through the lush landscapes of China.
Day 5
Depart Beijing and travel on the Trans-Mongolian Railway to Moscow
For the next five days, you will be travelling on the Trans-Mongolian Railway all the way to Moscow.
Take in the incredible landscapes of the Gobi Desert as you spend the day on the train. See if you can spot the rare bactrian camel or Gobi bear! Just before midnight, you will reach the Russian border.
Once across the border, the train heads onwards to the amazing Lake Baikal, travelling alongside the largest freshwater lake in the world for several hours, traversing the incredible forests of Siberia and passing through the mighty Altai region, before crossing the River Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk.
Finally, the train will head for the historic city of Yekaterinburg and the Ural Mountains, crossing the border between Asia and Europe and heading onto Moscow.
Day on the Train
Night on the Train
Border crossing
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to


Moscow
Russia’s official capital, Moscow, is the political and religious heart of the country. The city has the highest density of billionaires, is the world’s most populated inland city and boasts six out of Europe’s ten tallest buildings. It continues to be a major tourist destination in Europe growing year on year with famous attractions including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin.
New Destination by Train
Scenic Surrounds
Departure Transfer
Where you can stay
A hotel can be the make or break of any experience, and we understand that choosing the right hotel is important to our travellers. Check out our range of hotels ahead of time, and learn more about our standard 3-star options and the luxury 5-star upgrades that are available in the destinations you will be visiting.
Please note that the selection of hotels included here are examples of where you may stay on your tour, we will pick the best option for you based on your travel requirements.
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Dates & Rates
Please select the amount of travellers in your group and language requirement of your guide.
Please select a date
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*This tour’s total cost is an estimate, based on travel costs prior to tickets being released. The price is subject to fluctation of up to 10%.† Based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
More information
What’s included
A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey
Accommodation as part of the tour
All relevant Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian rail tickets
All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
Breakfast at all hotels, homestays and other accommodation
Half day guided tour with excursions: Beijing
Russian letter of invitation and visa support documents for China
Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
What’s not included
Flights or other travel arrangements prior to tour joining point
Masks or hand sanitizers
Meals, unless specified in the itinerary
Personal expenses such as souvenir shopping, or extra food and drink not included in the itinerary
Visa processing and service costs
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more
Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
There are no special notes for this tour
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Beijing
The ultimate guidebook to Beijing that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Beijing is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the city, the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
China
The ultimate guidebook to China that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s China is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the country, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Mongolia
The ultimate guidebook to Mongolia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Mongolia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the country, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan and the Gadan Monastery, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Moscow
The ultimate guidebook to Moscow that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Moscow is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the city, the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Russia: Lonely Planet
The ultimate guidebook to Russia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Russia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to this vast country from how to get around, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights, currency and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, Lake Baikal and the Romanov sites, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Extras & Upgrades
Extras
Customise your experience with our spectacular range of tailor-made tour extras. If you have some free time during your tour and are unsure how to spend it, then our extras may be just what you are looking for, with various activities ranging from an hour long to a full day. Simply, let us know when booking your tour and we can arrange this for you.
Upgrades
Enhance your travel experience with one of our available tour upgrades. Whether you are looking to go first class on the train or swap your standard hotel for a luxury 5-star option, our Sales team are on-hand to help. Simply, let us know when booking your tour and we can arrange this for you.
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Visa Information

Single Entry Tourist Visa

Single Entry Tourist Visa
