Western Mongolia - Mongolia - page 539

Getting same-day train tickets out of Èrlián is darn near impossible for Bĕijīng, so
most people opt for the bus. The long-distance bus station is halfway between the
consulate and the train station. From Èrlián there are buses to Bĕijīng (Y180 to
Y220, 12 hours, five daily between 2.30pm and 4.30pm), Hohhot (Y95, six hours,
seven daily between 8am and 1.30pm) and Dàtóng (Y120, six hours, one daily at
8.40am).
In Bĕijīng, buses depart/arrive at the Mùxīyuán bus station (Mùxīyuán
Qìchēzhàn). All buses to Èrlián leave around 4pm to 5pm so turn up by 3pm for a
ticket. To reach Mùxīyuán bus station by subway take line five to Liujiayuan station,
take Exit D, and walk straight for 1km. Just before the road goes under Mùxīyuán
bridge bear left and then left again down Dahongmen Lu; the bus station will be on
your right after 500m. A taxi to/from the Drum Tower should cost around Y40;
make sure to use genuine blue-and-yellow painted cabs that have a meter, and
avoid the dodgy black cabs that won't use a meter.
TRAIN
Mongolia has trains to both Russia and China. Getting a ticket in Ulaanbaatar can be very
difficult during the summer tourist season, so you need to plan ahead.
Ticket office The yellow International Railway Ticketing Office (Narny Gudamj) is
about 200m northwest of the train station. Inside the office, specific rooms sell tickets to
Bĕijīng, Irkutsk (Russia), Moscow, and Èrlián and Hohhot (both in China), but as a for-
eigner you'll be directed to a foreigners' booking office ( 21-24133, enquiries 21-243
848; room 212; 8am-8pm Mon-Fri). It's upstairs and staff here speak some English.
On weekends you can use the downstairs booking desk.
Buying tickets You'll need your passport to buy a ticket. You can book the ticket by
phone for a T4500 booking fee. If you cancel a ticket there is a T1000 charge. There is no
departure tax if travelling on the train.
Advance bookings You can book a ticket for international trains out of Ulaanbaatar up to
one month in advance, but for the Moscow-Bĕijīng or Bĕijīng-Moscow trains you will
have to scramble for a ticket on the day before departure (although you could try asking
two days in advance). If you have trouble booking a berth, ask your guesthouse manager
or hotel reception desk for assistance.
Getting there In UB, a taxi between Chinggis Khaan (Sükhbaatar) Sq and the train sta-
tion costs about T5000.
TRAIN SCHEDULES TO/FROM MONGOLIA
Schedules change from one summer to another, and services reduce in winter, and can
increase in summer. For fares see the tables on Click here and Click here . K23 depar-
tures vary, Click here .