Way to Russia Talk Lounge

LeFre · Just Starting Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 1

Hello, I have a few questions which, as far as I could tell haven't been answered in other topics yet. I am an Englishmen currently staying in Sydney Australia. I plan to go back to England via the Trans-sib at the start of July from Beijing, through Mongolia.

Firstly, from what I can gather all outbound international trains from Beijing are closed from pre-booking, only available 3-5 days in advance, in person. Is this correct?

With this in mind I would still like to go from Beijing, through Mongolia but it has been suggested that the best way is to get a domestic train from Beijing to Erlian on the China/Mongolia, cross the boarder and then get another domestic from Dzamin Uud to Ulann Bator. From here I will get on a prebooked trans-sib to Irkutsk and then another straight to Moscow.

What I am unsure of is is it going to be any easier to get domestic trains than it is to simply try and book the trans-sib from Beijing station in person, 3 or 5 days in advance. Has anyone done the Beijing to Ulann Bator on domestic trains? Do you have any advice?

One more question, am I going to struggle to get visas being an Englishmen in Australia or should it still be relatively straight forward?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks