China to Mongolia
There are limited and confusing train or bus information on the internet. The frequently seen on internet is the train from Beijing to Ulaanbatar. Information and tickets can only be bought from the departing destination, i.e. Beijing, Hohhot, (Huhehaote), Jining South, Erlian (Erenhot), which I took an overnight train (61 Yuan) from Hohhot to Erlian, when told that there are more options to Ulaanbatar. It is also cheaper and nearer.
When I tried to get information from the staff at Zhengzhou Railway station, was told there is no train from Beijing to Mongolia even though I showed her the schedule from travelchinaguide.com website. 12306 app also drew a blank. I can only conclude that the staff are not educated on international train services in China. Local and International are 2 separate entities. Thus, my only option is to take the risk to go to Hohhot from Hengshui, Anhui. I try to avoid Beijing and also the fare is more expensive than airticket to Ulaanbatar.
From Beijing to Zamyd-Uud By Bus : Beijing to Zamyn Uud Bus Schedules and Fares
At Hohhot Railway Station, I was advised that the operating hours of international train ticket is 9am to 5pm. Fare from Hohhot is about 1,000 yuan and from Erlian is about 800 yuan. Twice a week, Monday and Friday.
There are 2 daily train services from Hohhot to Erlian, 6856 departing 0900 and arriving 1825 at 53 yuan, and 4652 departing at 2250 arriving at 0650am next day, at 61 yuan.
The following is the train information I get from the International Ticket office which is on the left side of Erlian Railway Station, opp the tall grey building. It is only open on days when train is scheduled for Ulaanbatar, i.e, Mon, Tues, Fri and Sat, Close on Wed and Thur.
Operation hours Mon, Tue, Fri & Sat : 9am – 11.30am, 2.30pm – 4pm
Train leaves Erlian at 5.30pm and arrives Ulaanbatar at 10.30 am. Fare is 66 yuan and at Zamyd-Uud Station, pays another 530 yuan, payment for both in cash only. Four departures a week. All soft sleeper.
Gate for boarding which is on the right side of the local train entrance, (coming out of station) opens at 2.30pm and closes at 4.30pm.
By Bus, at Erlian International Bus Station, (bus 6 or 2 from railway station) there are 2 daily departures to Ulaanbatar, at 11am and 2.00pm, journey time is about 10hours, fare is 210 yuan. There are more frequencies to Zamyd-Uud (from travelchinaguide.com website, it is every half hour) and the fare is 50 yuan, this is more flexible for me, being foreigner, custom immigration may take longer.
From Zamyd-Uud daily night train at 1805 arriving Ulaanbatar at 9.30 next morning, fare about 154 yuan (from internet) and hard seat 54 yuan.
Instead of taking a bus to Zamyd-Uud, the hotel recommended MPV van (7 seater) and called on my behalf, leaving Erlian around 2.30pm. After pickiing up 6 other passengers, we reached the Erlian custom around 3.05pm. There was a queue entering as 2 guards opened the booth to check the baggages, Some with bulky packages, were not allowed to enter. After bag scanning and stamping exit on my passport, I had enough time to go for toilet break, while waiting for the van.
Exiting the custom, a guard will check all passengers’ passports for exit stamp before entering Zamyd-Uud custom. The immigration officer, just checked if I need visa to enter, took picture and handed my passport with a “Welcome”. The Zamyd-Uud railway station is just a few minutes’ drive. It was around 4.40pm when I arrived. Went to the foreign exchange shop (next to CU with red flashing board). Rate seems good, 300yuan for 158,400 MNT, at 528, XE’s rate was 526.
The ticket office is on the second floor, with no lift, a kind Mongolian guy without hesitation, offered to bring my bag up. This voluntary action lifts up my first impression of the country.
Unfortunately, unexpectedly, the tickets for the night were all sold out. My first reaction, was to look for the bus station to Ulaanbatar. On the way in the carpark, a driver asked if I am going Ulaanbatar and quoted 190,000MNT, I shook my head and was about to walk away when he showed me ‘100,000 MNT’ typed on his phone. It seems reasonable, so I agreed, left my bag at the back of the MPV and went trying to look for the bus station. I could not find it. It was chilly, so I went back and waited in the van until the van left at 6.05pm. It was almost filled at 5.30pm. The last passenger came to fill all the 7 seats at 6pm+.
It was a bumpy ride along sandy roads. Every 2 hours, the van stopped at CU for breaks. CU is big with many ready to eat food, and it offered free hot water.
I was told I will arrive in Ulaanbatar at 8.00 next morning, but around 1.30am+ was already in Ulaanbatar. By the time the driver sent all the passengers to their desired destinations, it was almost 2am, and I was worried if I could check into my hotel so early. Initially, I was thinking of dropping off at any 24/7 supermarket. I was glad I didn’t.
Ulaanbatar to Erlian
Mongolian Train Website, not in English even it’s the selected language: .
From Ulaanbatar to Zamyd Uud then onward to Erlian, I took Train 276 departing 1640 and arriving Zamyd Uud next morning at 7.20am, fare is 26,000MNT (about 50CNY). Boarding stops at 4.35pm. No bags checking or scanning, just bring your luggage and ticket up the train. No checking of passport either.
At Zamyd-Uud station , I was relieved to find many drivers soliciting rides to Erlian at 50 CNY. The MPV I took left about 8.45 am, arriving Erlian Railway Station around 10.20 am. It would be earlier, if I had not had problem with the immigration. I only knew that I am supposed to fill up the online arrival form at the machine kiosk when the Chinese Immigration officer could not scan my passport. I was told to proceed to the machine to fill up the form and need not queue again after completing.
Overall, it is not as I thought so complicating.
