The Legendary Trans-Mongolian Railway Returns to Service

@Image courtesy of the Ulaanbaatar Railway (UBTZ)

After a five-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the iconic Trans-Mongolian train route is officially back on track!

The Ulaanbaatar Railway (UBTZ) officials have announced that direct train service between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar will resume on June 3, 2025. This long-awaited news brings back one of the most memorable ways to experience travel, combining China and Mongolia.

In previous years, both Chinese and Mongolian trains operated on this route. However, for now, only the Chinese Railway will be operating the journey, covering a total distance of 1,547 km.

The Ulaanbaatar Railway (UBTZ) has already set the fare for the Ulaanbaatar–Beijing route. Meanwhile, the Chinese Railway will set the pricing for the Beijing–Ulaanbaatar leg, which may be higher than the Ulaanbaatar–Beijing route. 

Train Schedule & Cabin Options

• Train #24 (Ulaanbaatar → Beijing):
  Departs every Thursday at 07:18, arriving in Beijing the next day at 14:35.
  Cabin classes: Coupe, Soft Sleeper, and First Class.

• Train #23 (Beijing → Ulaanbaatar):
  Departs every Tuesday at 07:27, arriving in Ulaanbaatar the next day at 14:35.

For ticket inquiries or bookings, feel free to contact us. It’s recommended to book train tickets around 2 months in advance. Hard-copy tickets will be issued a few days prior to departure and delivered to your hotel in Beijing/Ulaanbaatar.

Updates for the 2026 train schedule and ticket prices are expected around March or April 2026.

Due to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict, service on the Beijing–Moscow route via Ulaanbaatar remains suspended, with no confirmed restart date.