Frequently asked questions – travelling along the trans-Mongolian railway
Many practical questions have already been addressed in our dedicated country guides for Mongolia and China. Below are the mostly frequently asked questions about travelling along the Trans-Siberian railway. If you are still unsure or have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact a member of our customer service team or your travel consultant.
VISAS
Do I need a visa for the journey along the Tran-Siberian railway and is it included in the price?
I require a visa but I am not based in the UK / US, how do I apply for the visa?
MONEY
What are the accepted currencies?
What is a suggested amount for daily use?
ABOUT TRAIN TRAVEL
What are the facilities on the train?
Is internet available?
Are there electrical sockets on the trains?
Are there showers on the train?
1st or 2nd class cabin?
Can I smoke on the train?
Are porters included?
Is there a recommended size for bags?
Where can I leave my luggage in the train?
Are meals included on the train?
What meals are offered on regular trains?
Can I bring my own food?
Will I be safe?
Are there male / female only compartments?
VISAS
Do I need a visa for the journey along the Tran-Siberian railway and is it included in the price?
Most nationalities (including EU, USA and Australia) require tourist visas to enter China and Russia. Mongolia has introduced visa-free travel for tourists from over 40 countries.
Visas are included in the price of your holiday and our dedicated visa team will advise on all aspects of obtaining tourist visas. If you are based in the UK or USA we will submit your documents to the relevant consulates.
The visa application process is quite straightforward. You just need to follow the guidance notes that will be emailed to you upon your booking. Make sure you have a passport that is valid at least 6 months after your departure date from the country and it has enough blank pages for visas to be stamped.
If you are based overseas and require a visa, we will issue all required paperwork for your application and you will need to submit your documents to the relevant consulate of the country of your residence.
Find our more about:
If you are not resident in the UK / US, we will issue official visa support documents and email them to you. You will need to apply for your visa at the local consulate. The process is very straightforward and we can assist you with completing the visa forms.
What are the accepted currencies?
Please remember that you will have to pay for everything in local currency. The official currency of Russia is the Russian rouble, in Mongolia it’s the tugrik and in China its yuan. We advise you to take US dollars or euros and change them as you go. Alternatively, you can use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs which are available in big cities. Please note, it might be more difficult to exchange British pounds.
US dollars or euros are normally accepted on international Chinese and Mongolian trains (they might also accept Russian roubles on a train between Mongolia and Russia, please ask the restaurant staff). In Mongolia if you buy from small vendors (mostly souvenir shops) you can also pay with Russian roubles, US dollars or euros.
The prices will vary depending on the places you visit and your personal preferences and travel style. The amount of money you spend on the train will be obviously be lower than in a city, but we would advise you to budget about £10-£15 per person for daily use.
What are the facilities on the train?
We operate our tours on both regular and tourist trains such as Tsar’s Gold. Regular commuter trains are solid and clean, and we use only the best available options for your journey. The major difference with tourist trains is that tourist trains have more cabin categories (some have private en-suite facilities or showers) and you will be with the same group of passengers all the way through your trip.
Carriages usually contain nine compartments and are serviced by two attendants. Clean linen, towels, blankets and pillows are provided for each berth. Apart from bedding, the compartments have personal reading lights, space to store your luggage, a big window and a small table. There are facilities to provide hot water for drinks in every carriage and basic but adequate bathrooms are located at each end of every carriage. A bathroom contains a sink with running water and a western-style toilet (squat-style on some Chinese trains). Hot water is always available. The bathrooms are spacious enough to have a strip–wash if you wish.
Tourist trains may have shared or private showers. There are also differences in compartment sizes depending on the cabin category. Please view the detailed compartment descriptions in the tour dossier.
No, unfortunately there is no internet available.
Yes, European 2-pin electrical sockets are available. These can be located either in your compartment or in the corridor. Do not forget to bring a suitable plug adapter.
Regular trains do not have shower facilities and you should expect to go without showers on all train sectors. We advise you to take wet tissues to make your journey more comfortable.
There are shower facilities on 1st class train between Ulan-Bator and Beijing (train 24, K23). The shower is shared between two compartments.
Showers are available in some categories in the tourist trains. Please view detailed description of the carriages.
All our programmes are based on 2nd class four-berth mixed sex cabins, though an optional upgrade to 1st class two-berth travel is possible. There is little difference between 1st and 2nd class other than the number of berths contained in the cabins and a slightly greater amount of space in a 1st class cabin. As a result there are also less people in a 1st class carriage
1st class (two persons) cabin. Both berths are at the lower level except for international trains between Mongolia and China where there is one lower and one upper berth. Two bathrooms (WC and wash basin) per carriage, located at both ends of corridor. 1st class cabin will be suitable for those who prefer more comfort and privacy while travelling.
2nd class (4 persons) cabin. Two lower and two upper berths. Sometimes due to high demand it’s impossible to order lower berths only. Upper berths may be preferred by some passengers as they are used only by berth holders (day and night) and nobody can disturb you during your rail journey while lower berths may be used as common place for other passengers during the day. 2nd class also provides more opportunity for interaction with other travellers.
Smoking is not permitted at any time in the cabins, however, there are designated areas between the carriages.
No, however you can arrange porters directly at the train stations where they are readily available. Prices depend on the city and vary from £2 to £4 per bag.
There are different modifications of carriages used on Trans-Mongolian railway and we cannot give exact measurements for the storage space. Generally train cabins have a sufficient amount of storage space for your luggage and you will be able to accommodate your standard suitcases or backpacks. Please do not take oversized suitcases. You might also have difficulties in accommodating your baggage in your compartment if you have two or more big suitcases. It is best to pack light!
The two bottom bunks can be lifted up to provide access to storage compartments. In addition, there is storage space near the ceiling for additional luggage. It is better if you keep your money, cameras, electronics, etc. on your person when the cabin is empty, and luggage should be locked at all times.
On our standard tours, no meals are included during your train journey. You can either use a dining car or buy your own food from local shops and platform vendors.
If you are travelling on a Tsar’s Gold tourist train, your tour is full-board during the train journey and you will be served meals in the dining car.
The majority of trains along the Trans-Mongolian route have a dining car (please note there is no dining car in train 362 between Irkutsk and Ulan-Bator). The service is provided by whichever country you are crossing, and the menu changes accordingly.
Typical meals in Russia include ham and eggs for breakfast, schnitzel and potatoes for lunch or dinner with soups and salads for starters. The buffet also sells beer, Russian champagne, vodka, chocolate and snacks. The Mongolian buffet will mostly offer rice and mutton. The Chinese buffet will offer Chinese noodles or rice. The food is café quality with reasonable prices.
For most travellers, the dining car becomes the centre of life on board. Apart from the food, it is the place to socialize between meals, meet other travellers and practice your language skills.
Yes, absolutely, you are allowed to bring your own food, snacks and beverages. There is always hot boiled water in the carriage and you can easily prepare instant beverages, soups, noodles, etc.
Moreover you can buy a lot of local food from the many vendors on station platforms when the train stops. You will be surprised with the variety and good quality of the homemade starters and snacks, including the famous Russian pirogi and pickled cucumbers. But remember that there are no refrigerators on the train.
Yes, although as with travel anywhere, common sense is your best protection. Don’t leave valuables unattended and keep your passport and money on you at all times. Cabins can be locked from the inside and attendants do keep a very close eye on what is happening in their wagon. You can keep your luggage either in an overhead luggage storage area, or under the bench. It is more secure to keep it under your bench. In case you are a woman who travels alone and you share the same compartments with three men and feel uncomfortable you can ask attendants if they can transfer you to another compartment. Trains are one of the safest forms of travel within Russia, Mongolia and China.
All our programmes are based on 2nd class 4 berths mixed sex cabins. On some trains it is possible to order cabins for travellers of the same sex. Please advise us upon your booking if you prefer the same sex compartment. Please note we will do our best to accommodate your request but we cannot guarantee this.
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VISAS
Do I need a visa for the journey along the Tran-Siberian railway and is it included in the price?
I require a visa but I am not based in the UK / US, how do I apply for the visa?
MONEY
What are the accepted currencies?
What is a suggested amount for daily use?
ABOUT TRAIN TRAVEL
What are the facilities on the train?
Is internet available?
Are there electrical sockets on the trains?
Are there showers on the train?
1st or 2nd class cabin?
Can I smoke on the train?
Are porters included?
Is there a recommended size for bags?
Where can I leave my luggage in the train?
Are meals included on the train?
What meals are offered on regular trains?
Can I bring my own food?
Will I be safe?
Are there male / female only compartments?
VISAS
Do I need a visa for the journey along the Tran-Siberian railway and is it included in the price?
Most nationalities (including EU, USA and Australia) require tourist visas to enter China and Russia. Mongolia has introduced visa-free travel for tourists from over 40 countries.
Visas are included in the price of your holiday and our dedicated visa team will advise on all aspects of obtaining tourist visas. If you are based in the UK or USA we will submit your documents to the relevant consulates.
The visa application process is quite straightforward. You just need to follow the guidance notes that will be emailed to you upon your booking. Make sure you have a passport that is valid at least 6 months after your departure date from the country and it has enough blank pages for visas to be stamped.
If you are based overseas and require a visa, we will issue all required paperwork for your application and you will need to submit your documents to the relevant consulate of the country of your residence.
Find our more about:
If you are not resident in the UK / US, we will issue official visa support documents and email them to you. You will need to apply for your visa at the local consulate. The process is very straightforward and we can assist you with completing the visa forms.
What are the accepted currencies?
Please remember that you will have to pay for everything in local currency. The official currency of Russia is the Russian rouble, in Mongolia it’s the tugrik and in China its yuan. We advise you to take US dollars or euros and change them as you go. Alternatively, you can use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs which are available in big cities. Please note, it might be more difficult to exchange British pounds.
US dollars or euros are normally accepted on international Chinese and Mongolian trains (they might also accept Russian roubles on a train between Mongolia and Russia, please ask the restaurant staff). In Mongolia if you buy from small vendors (mostly souvenir shops) you can also pay with Russian roubles, US dollars or euros.
The prices will vary depending on the places you visit and your personal preferences and travel style. The amount of money you spend on the train will be obviously be lower than in a city, but we would advise you to budget about £10-£15 per person for daily use.
What are the facilities on the train?
We operate our tours on both regular and tourist trains such as Tsar’s Gold. Regular commuter trains are solid and clean, and we use only the best available options for your journey. The major difference with tourist trains is that tourist trains have more cabin categories (some have private en-suite facilities or showers) and you will be with the same group of passengers all the way through your trip.
Carriages usually contain nine compartments and are serviced by two attendants. Clean linen, towels, blankets and pillows are provided for each berth. Apart from bedding, the compartments have personal reading lights, space to store your luggage, a big window and a small table. There are facilities to provide hot water for drinks in every carriage and basic but adequate bathrooms are located at each end of every carriage. A bathroom contains a sink with running water and a western-style toilet (squat-style on some Chinese trains). Hot water is always available. The bathrooms are spacious enough to have a strip–wash if you wish.
Tourist trains may have shared or private showers. There are also differences in compartment sizes depending on the cabin category. Please view the detailed compartment descriptions in the tour dossier.
No, unfortunately there is no internet available.
Yes, European 2-pin electrical sockets are available. These can be located either in your compartment or in the corridor. Do not forget to bring a suitable plug adapter.
Regular trains do not have shower facilities and you should expect to go without showers on all train sectors. We advise you to take wet tissues to make your journey more comfortable.
There are shower facilities on 1st class train between Ulan-Bator and Beijing (train 24, K23). The shower is shared between two compartments.
Showers are available in some categories in the tourist trains. Please view detailed description of the carriages.
All our programmes are based on 2nd class four-berth mixed sex cabins, though an optional upgrade to 1st class two-berth travel is possible. There is little difference between 1st and 2nd class other than the number of berths contained in the cabins and a slightly greater amount of space in a 1st class cabin. As a result there are also less people in a 1st class carriage
1st class (two persons) cabin. Both berths are at the lower level except for international trains between Mongolia and China where there is one lower and one upper berth. Two bathrooms (WC and wash basin) per carriage, located at both ends of corridor. 1st class cabin will be suitable for those who prefer more comfort and privacy while travelling.
2nd class (4 persons) cabin. Two lower and two upper berths. Sometimes due to high demand it’s impossible to order lower berths only. Upper berths may be preferred by some passengers as they are used only by berth holders (day and night) and nobody can disturb you during your rail journey while lower berths may be used as common place for other passengers during the day. 2nd class also provides more opportunity for interaction with other travellers.
Smoking is not permitted at any time in the cabins, however, there are designated areas between the carriages.
No, however you can arrange porters directly at the train stations where they are readily available. Prices depend on the city and vary from £2 to £4 per bag.
There are different modifications of carriages used on Trans-Mongolian railway and we cannot give exact measurements for the storage space. Generally train cabins have a sufficient amount of storage space for your luggage and you will be able to accommodate your standard suitcases or backpacks. Please do not take oversized suitcases. You might also have difficulties in accommodating your baggage in your compartment if you have two or more big suitcases. It is best to pack light!
The two bottom bunks can be lifted up to provide access to storage compartments. In addition, there is storage space near the ceiling for additional luggage. It is better if you keep your money, cameras, electronics, etc. on your person when the cabin is empty, and luggage should be locked at all times.
On our standard tours, no meals are included during your train journey. You can either use a dining car or buy your own food from local shops and platform vendors.
If you are travelling on a Tsar’s Gold tourist train, your tour is full-board during the train journey and you will be served meals in the dining car.
The majority of trains along the Trans-Mongolian route have a dining car (please note there is no dining car in train 362 between Irkutsk and Ulan-Bator). The service is provided by whichever country you are crossing, and the menu changes accordingly.
Typical meals in Russia include ham and eggs for breakfast, schnitzel and potatoes for lunch or dinner with soups and salads for starters. The buffet also sells beer, Russian champagne, vodka, chocolate and snacks. The Mongolian buffet will mostly offer rice and mutton. The Chinese buffet will offer Chinese noodles or rice. The food is café quality with reasonable prices.
For most travellers, the dining car becomes the centre of life on board. Apart from the food, it is the place to socialize between meals, meet other travellers and practice your language skills.
Yes, absolutely, you are allowed to bring your own food, snacks and beverages. There is always hot boiled water in the carriage and you can easily prepare instant beverages, soups, noodles, etc.
Moreover you can buy a lot of local food from the many vendors on station platforms when the train stops. You will be surprised with the variety and good quality of the homemade starters and snacks, including the famous Russian pirogi and pickled cucumbers. But remember that there are no refrigerators on the train.
Yes, although as with travel anywhere, common sense is your best protection. Don’t leave valuables unattended and keep your passport and money on you at all times. Cabins can be locked from the inside and attendants do keep a very close eye on what is happening in their wagon. You can keep your luggage either in an overhead luggage storage area, or under the bench. It is more secure to keep it under your bench. In case you are a woman who travels alone and you share the same compartments with three men and feel uncomfortable you can ask attendants if they can transfer you to another compartment. Trains are one of the safest forms of travel within Russia, Mongolia and China.
All our programmes are based on 2nd class 4 berths mixed sex cabins. On some trains it is possible to order cabins for travellers of the same sex. Please advise us upon your booking if you prefer the same sex compartment. Please note we will do our best to accommodate your request but we cannot guarantee this.
About Transsib Reasons to Visit Transsib Destinations in Transsib Travel Practicalities Tours to Transsib