Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Classes
With a few exceptions, all international trains have two or three classes. The names and
standards of the classes depend on whether it's a Mongolian, Russian or Chinese train.
Second class
On the Russian (and Mongolian) trains, most travellers travel in 2nd class
- printed on tickets and timetables as '1/4' and known as 'hard sleeper', 'coupé' or
ku-
peynyy
in Russian. These are small, but perfectly comfortable, four-person compartments
with bunk-style beds.
First class
Sometimes called a 'soft sleeper' or
myagkiy
in Russian, this is printed as '2/
4'. It has softer beds but hardly any more space than a Russian 2nd-class compartment
and is not worth the considerably higher fare charged.
Deluxe class
The real luxury (and expense) comes with Chinese deluxe class (printed as
'1/2'): it involves roomy, two-berth compartments with a sofa, and a shower cubicle shared
with the adjacent compartment. The deluxe class on Russian trains (slightly cheaper than
the Chinese deluxe) has two bunks but is not much different in size from 2nd class and
has no showers.
Customs & Immigration
There are delays of three to six hours at the China-Mongolia and Russia-Mongolia bor-
ders, usually at night. The whole process is not difficult or a hassle, just annoying be-
cause they keep interrupting your sleep. Your passport will be taken for inspection and
stamping. When it is returned, inspect it closely - sometimes they make errors such as
cancelling your return visa for China. Foreigners generally sail through customs without
having their bags opened, which is one reason people on the train may approach you and
ask if you'll carry some of their luggage across the border -
this is not a good idea
. Dur-
ing stops, you can alight and wander around the station, which is just as well because the
toilets on the train are locked during the inspection procedure.
BOGIES
Don't be concerned if you get off at Èrlián (on the Chinese side of the border) and
the train disappears from the platform. About an hour is spent changing the bogies
(wheel assemblies), because the Russians (and, therefore, the Mongolians) and
the Chinese use different railway gauges. Train buffs may want to see the bogie-
changing operation. Stay on the train after it disgorges passengers in Èrlián. The
