Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
If you need help with the logistics of train travel, a good contact is freelance guide
Daka
Nyamdorj
( 9984 4844;
www.happymongolia.net
), who specialises in tours by train.
ULAANBAATAR-CHINA TRAIN FARES
Prices are for Chinese trains. Deluxe cars are not available on Mongolian trains. Mongoli-
an trains are about 5% to 10% cheaper for 1st class. For schedules, see the table on
DESTINATION
2ND CLASS HARD
1ST CLASS SOFT
SLEEPER (T)
DELUXE
COUPE (T)
SLEEPER (T)
Bĕijīng
130,050
217,750
184,550
Dàtóng
113,250
188,450
160,250
Èrlián (Ereen)
80,050
131,350
111,650
Hohhot
118,150
166,650
Kazakhstan
At the time of writing a bus travelled between Bayan-Ölgii and Astana in Kazakhstan. See
Click here
for details.
Russia
BORDER CROSSINGS
Most travellers go in and out of Russia at the Naushki-Sükhbaatar train border crossing.
Naushki
You can have a look around Naushki, but there is little to see and the train bor-
der crossing usually takes place in the middle of the night. Surprisingly, you may have dif-
ficulty finding anyone at the Naushki station to change money, so wait until Sükhbaatar or
Ulaanbaatar, or somewhere else in Russia. (Get rid of your tögrög before you leave Mon-
golia, as almost no one will want to touch them once you are inside Russia.)
Sükhbaatar
The train may stop for one or two hours at, or near, the pleasant Mongolian
border town of Sükhbaatar. You may be able to buy some Russian roubles or Mongolian
tögrög from a moneychanger at the train station, but the rate will be poor. If there aren't
any moneychangers, you can use US dollars cash to get by until you change money else-
where.
Road crossings
There are two road crossings: Tsagaannuur-Tashanta in Bayan-Ölgii
aimag and Altanbulag-Kyakhta (near Sükhbaatar) in Selenge. The crossings are open
from 9am to noon and 2pm to 6pm daily except holidays. The Khankh-Mondy border in
