Thorn Tree travel forum

1

Hopefully you have already arranged for your train ticket from Beijing to Ulan Bator. Most recent reports I have gotten are that tickets are currently available for trains in the last week of May but as it gets closer to Nadaam I suspect that it will be harder to get tickets. There are only 2 direct trains per week.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

2

Hey Ruth,
No, I haven't booked my ticket. I'd read that tickets are only available one month in advanced? Is this not true, or is there a way around it? I definitely want to get my ticket asap if possible.

3

Travel agencies can reserve tickets more than a month in advance. I suggest contacting CITS, www.cits.net or Richard Tian of Ocean Travel, whose email is oceantravelcn@yahoo.com.cn or richards@public3.bta.net.cn. Reportedly Richard and his company are quite reliable about obtaining the tickets at a fair price and delivering them during the day to your hostel or hotel in Beijing. Be sure to add him to your address book so that your spam filter does not "Eat" his response.

Actual price of the ticket is about 85 USD. CITS charges 99 and Ocean Travel 95 USD.

Also I notice that your plan is to stay for more than 30 days. Unless you have a US passport, you will probably need to arrange for an invitation or a letter from a guest house to get a visa for more than 30 days or you will need to extend in Ulan Bator. Either way for a stay of more than 30 days you will need to arrange registration in UB.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

4

thanks Ruth!
Yep, I have a US passport...which normally is not helpful...but in this case it is. and yep, I've heard to register in UB.
Thanks again,
Cat

5

I will be in UB around 18/19th July if all goes to plan and will probably be looking out for buddies to share expenses on a trip or two.

Ruth, are those contact details good for a ticket the other way - UB-->Beijing with them being delivered to a hostel in UB? I'm looking at catching the No.4 train on the morning of Sun 29th July into Beijing.

Thanks