The Ultimate Trans-Mongolian Railway Journey 2025

Epic group train journey through Russia, Mongolia to China: 8 cities, lake Baikal and Mongolian nomadic life!

The Trans-Mongolian Railway is fascinating for its unique blend of cultural, historical, and natural wonders, making it one of the most iconic and adventurous train journeys in the world.

Traveling on the Trans-Mongolian Railway is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure offering breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and a journey through history. Along the way, you’ll enjoy diverse scenery, delicious cuisine, and the chance to meet open-minded travelers. It's a journey where you will discover how this historic corridor has connected cultures and economies for centuries.

The multi-day train journey offers a rare chance to disconnect, embrace slow travel, and watch the landscapes transform—from Russia’s taiga forests and Mongolia’s Gobi Desert to the Great Wall and mountains of China.

For lovers of train travel, adventure, and the allure of Eurasia’s beauty, the Trans-Mongolian Railway is an unforgettable experience. See more about the place we visit during this odyssey: In Russia here ; in Mongolia here; and possibilities in China here

Highlights:
♦ St. Petersburg & Moscow: Discover Peterhof Palace, The winter palace, Nevski Prospekt, the Kremlin, Arbat and the Red Square.
♦ Kazan & Yekaterinburg: Visit the Kazan Kremlin and Romanov Monastery in Yekaterinburg
♦ Siberia, Irkutsk & Lake Baikal: Admire Siberia’s stunning wilderness, the Siberian atmosphere in Irkutsk and the beauty of Lake Baikal
♦ Mongolia: Immerse yourself in Ulan-Bator’s culture, Mongolia’s nomadic heritage and enjoy "The land of the blue sky"
♦ China: Explore Inner Mongolia’s museum in Hohhot and Beijing’s rich history.

Ready to explore the Trans-Mongolian Railway on your own with tour start any Thursday - request your personal offer here

 

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Itinerary: Group tour  Spring and Autumn 2025

Day 1. (Thursday 22MAY/21AUG) St. Petersburg
Arrival to St. Petersburg. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. -/-/-

Day 2. (Friday 23MAY/22AUG) St. Petersburg – train to Moscow
In the morning 4 hrs tour to the beautiful palace of Peterhof and its gardens. Afternoon - free time to explore the city on your own. Transfer to the train station for departure by night train to Moscow, overnight in the train. B/-/-

Day 3. (Saturday 24MAY/23AUG) Moscow
About 6 in the morning arrival to Moscow, transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Free day to explore the city. -/-/-

Day 4. (Sunday 25MAY/24AUG) Moscow – train to Kazan
Free time untill evening transfer to the train station for the train to Kazan, overnight in the train B/-/-

Day 5. (Monday 26MAY/25AUG) Kazan – train to Yekaterinburg
Arrival to Kazan in the morning.  4 hrs city tour with visiting Kremlin of Kazan. Free time OR optional tour to Sviyazhsk Island (5 hrs). Evening transfer to the train station for night departure to Yekaterinburg, overnight in the train.

Day 6. (Tuesday 27MAY/26AUG) Yekaterinburg
Arrival to Yekaterinburg in the afternoon. Hotel accommodation and free evening to explore the city.  Overnight. -/-/-

Day 7. (Wednesday 28MAY/27AUG) Yekaterinburg – train to Irkutsk
In the morning 5 hours excursion to Romanov Monastery, built on the place, where the last Russian tsar and his family were murdered, and to Eurasia obelisk, marking the border between Europe and Asia. Back to Yekaterinburg, where you have free time to go shopping and have a dinner before your departure by train to Irkutsk late in the evening. B/-/-

Day 8. (Thursday 29MAY/28AUG) On the train
We pass by some large Siberian cities such as Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. The landscape in this part of the railway switches between coniferous and birch forests and small villages, where development is still far behind the big cities. -/-/-

Day 9. (Friday 30MAY/29AUG) On the train -/-/-

Day 10. (Saturday 31MAY/30AUG) Irkutsk– Listvyanka
Morning arrival in Irkutsk and meeting with the local guide and driver. Breakfast at city cafe or restaurant. After breakfast transfer to Listvyanka village at the shore of lake Baikal. Visit to Baikal museum.  Accommodation in hotel and rest or free time to see the village. -/-/-

Day 11. (Sunday 01JUN/31AUG) Listvyanka – Bolshiye Koty
Breakfast and transfer to the pier for departure by boat to Bolshiye Koty village. Arrival, accommodation at private chalet, 600 metres from the pier (only luggage will be transfered by car). B/-/-

Day 12. (Monday 02JUN/01SEP) Bolshiye Koty – Irkutsk
Breakfast and free time. Check out at noon and time to enjoy the nature, the lake and local life in a small isolated village. In the early evening we go by the famous "Raketa" back to Irkutsk, where we are meet by our driver and transferred to the hotel for overnight. B/-/-

Day 13. (Tuesday 03JUN/02SEP) Irkutsk – train to Ulan-Bator (Mongolia)
Early in the morning transfer to the train station for departure by train to Ulan Bator. Today the view to the lake is impressive and in the afternoon we pass through the capital of Buryatia Ulan-Ude. B/-/-

Day 14. (Wednesday 04JUN/03SEP) Ulan-Bator
Arrival to Ulan-Bator / Ulaanbaatar the capital city of Mongolia in the early morning. Pick up and transfer to city center. Breakfast at a local restaurant. Visit Chinggis Khaan museum. and Sukhbaatar square. (Check-in hotel/luggage storing depending on the time). Afternoon, visit National Museum of Mongolia. In the evening, enjoy traditional art performance. Welcome dinner. B/L/D

Day 15. (Thursday 05JUN/04SEP) Khustai National Park
After breakfast, we will head to Mongol Nomadic Cultural Heritage Center. where you will attend a special cultural program including a visit to nomad family for learning about nomadic culture and lifestyle. You will enjoy tasting traditional dairy products, seeing a movement by ox cart and camel freight, listening to the traditional music and folk songs. Lunch at Ger camp restaurant. Travel to the Khustai National Park, the home of the wild horses. Visit the park’s Information Centre where you will learn about the plethora of wildlife roaming the National Park. Then venture into the park to see the wild Takhi horses. You can also venture deeper into the park on foot if you wish, perhaps to track other animals, such as wild deer or foxes. Travel back to Ger camp at Mongol Nomadic Cultural Heritage Center. Horseback riding for an hour. B/L/D

Day 16. (Friday 06JUN/05SEP) Ulan Bator – train to Hohhot
After breakfast travel to Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex situated in Tsonjin Boldog. On the way visit a Kazakh family in Nalaikh town. Attend a workshop for making a traditional handicraft.  Afternoon transfer to Ulaanbaatar. Shopping for cashmere and souvenirs (you will be surprised). Transfer to the railway station for departure to Hohhot. B/L/-

Day 17. (Saturday 07JUN/06SEP) Hohhot (China)
Most of the day you travel in Inner Mongolia. Arrival at the border (Mongolia/China) at noon(the procedure is about 2,5 hours) - arrival Hohhot in the evening. Transfer to the hotel for overnight. -/-/-

Day 18. (Sunday 08JUN/07SEP) Hohhot – Beijing
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Inner Mongolia Museum. Transfer to the station for departure by high speed train to Beijing (about 500 km in 3 hrs). Transfer from the train station to hotel. Evening at your own disposal. B/-/-

Day 19. (Monday 09JUN/08SEP) Beijing – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out before 12:00p.m. (excl. late check-out). Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
End of service OR additional program in Beijing. Don't miss the historical monuments, shopping, and Peking Duck. B/-/-

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TRAVEL GUIDE TO RUSSIA 

Practical information:

• Visa to Russia: Please see our TRAVEL GUIDE TO RUSSIA. Visa to Mongolia: Many countries are visa-free in 2025. Please check here. Visa to China: Until December 31, 2025, tourists and business travelers from the following 27 countries and territories do not need a visa to enter China, and can stay for up to 15 days: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland
• Insurance: Highly recommended. Make sure that your travel insurance is covering all three countries. If you need one for Russia (for visa purpose as well) please see our TRAVEL GUIDE TO RUSSIA. For MOngolia and China please follow this link.
   
• Interested in more time and sights in Beijing? Please check out our program: Beijing - last stop on the Trans-Mongolian Railway - here.
• Interested in just visiting Mongolia? Please check out our program: Mongolia and the Golden Gobi Desert - here

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Price Includes:
Train tickets 2nd class (4-berth): St. Petersburg-Moscow-Kazan-Yekaterinburg-Irkutsk-Ulan Bator-Hohhot-Beijing
Accommodation in shared dbl/twin in hotels
Meals according to the itinerary (B-breakfast/L-lunch/D-dinner)
Transfers as per itinerary
Local English speaking guides
Excursions as per itinerary
Visa support when needed
Tour leader (English speaking) from Penguin Travel at min. 10 people
Prices are based on rates of exchange 01DEC24 - min. 2 persons travelling together

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Not Included:
International flights
Meals not mentioned included
Drinking
Tips for drivers and locals
Optional sights
Porter service
Eventual vaccinations
Visas
Insurance

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Additional Services:
2-berth compartment (1 cl. or 4-berth compartment for 2 persons) per person to Ulan Bator: 925 EUR/pp
Single supplement as per pricebox in hotels only (St.Petersburg; Moscow; Yekaterinburg; Listvyanka; Bolshoye Koty; Irkutsk; Ulan Bator;Hohhot;Beijing) mandatory if you travel alone
If less than 10 persons in the group there is an additional fee of 110 EUR pp (at 6-9 persons) and no tour leader from Penguin Travel

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