Beijing - Ulaanbaatar Trains: K3 / K4

On every Wednesday, train K3 runs from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, and train K4 is available from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing on every Sunday. The Beijing to Ulaanbaatar train K3 requires about 32 hours to finish the trip between the two cities; the ticket price for a hard sleeper is CNY 1,310 and for a deluxe soft sleeper is CNY 2,041.

Basic Facts

Open Date: June 4th, 1959

Travel Time: About 32 hours

Operated at: Beijing Railway Station, Ulaanbaatar Railway Station.

Major Cities along the Way: Shalingzi, Jining, Erenhot, Zamyn-Uud, Ulaanbaatar.

Beijing to Ulaanbaatar Train Schedule: K3

Arrival	Departure	Station
Beijing Time
	7:27	Beijing
10:40	10:50	Shalingzi West
15:27	15:43	Jining South
20:18	0:59+1	Erlian
Ulaanbaatar Time
1:25+1	2:40+1	Zamyn-Uud
14:35+1	15:22+1	Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar to Beijing Train Schedule: K4

Arrival	Departure	Station
Ulaanbaatar Time
6:50	7:30	Ulaanbaatar
18:50	20:35	Zamyn-Uud
Beijing Time
21:00	2:00+1	Erlian
6:37+1	6:55+1	Jining South
11:09+1	11:15+1	Shalingzi West
14:35+1	/	Beijing

Note: The above train timetable is for reference only. Please check the real-time schedule at the relative stations.

Beijing to Ulaanbaatar Train Ticket Price

Station	Deluxe Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper
Zamyn-Uud	CNY 1,154	CNY 709
Ulaanbaatar	CNY 2,041	CNY 1,310

The above ticket price is for individual passengers. For group over 6, there are discounted tickets.

Tips

1. Train K3 departs from Beijing and arrives at Moscow as the final destination. And Ulaanbaatar is a stop along the road.
2. Generally speaking, the international train in Beijing Railway Station requires at least 1 hour earlier before the departure time for ticket checking and custom clearance. As consequences, you’d better plan the route from your hotel to the railway station in advance. Count in the time wasted in traffic congestion. One thing you need pay attention to is that the luggage allowance for adults is 35 kilograms and 15 kilograms for children. Make sure your luggage is within the required weight range.
3. Unlike any other long-distance train trip, the scenery outside the window of Beijing - Ulaanbaatar is quite charming and exotic. Wipe your window for in that way you can see the scenery more clearly.
4. When the train arrives at Erlian railway Station, passengers can see how the carriages are changed into the Mongolian carriages by the rail workers.
5. The food in the train is quite simple. When the train is running within China, only Chinese food is offered and when it runs into Mongolia, passengers can eat some local Mongolian food. One can also buy some snacks and fruits on the food trolley. But it is suggested to bring some of your favorite foods and drinks.
6. The temperature between China and Mongolia is quite different. Better equip yourself with clothes suit to wear in both countries. Bring a portable charger or a power strip with you for the power outlets are installed in the aisle, very inconvenient to charge phones or laptops.

History

On July 28th, 1958, concerning with the schedule of the international train running from Beijing to Moscow, a meeting was held. Officials from the railway corporation of three counties finally achieve the agreement that the Beijing to Moscow train would run across Ulaanbaatar - capital city of Mongolia once a week since the summer time of 1959.

Then, on April 8th, 1959, the Memorandum of Agreement about the Operation of Beijing – Ulaanbaatar – Moscow train was signed and the terms in the agreement would be effective since June 1st, 1959. On April 4th, June, Beijing - Ulaanbaatar - Moscow train started to run from Beijing to Moscow with Ulaanbaatar as a stop along the journey. This international train was officially named as train K3 running from Beijing to Moscow and train K4 running from Moscow to Beijing.

At that time, passengers in the train were always government officials of China, Mongolia and Soviet. Security people were in charge of the safety of these passengers. As time went by, businessmen started to take the train to ell things from their countries. Ordinary people can take the train to experience the exotic scenery of Mongolia and Soviet, like the cows, sheep and the famous Mongolian yurts.

After 2000, tourists began to take the international train. Most of them are from western countries, wishing to have a different travel experience during the trip. People who choose to take train travelling from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar hope to watch the beautiful scenery constantly changing outside the window when the train is running. In busy seasons, the tickets can be sold out in quite a short period of time.