visa information for RUSSIA, CHINA & MONGOLIA

🇨🇳 THE CHINese VISA

Everyone requires a Chinese visa and you should book your appointment for the application a month in advance. Normally visas are issued up to 3 months in advance of travel and are valid for stays of up to 30 days (although UK, US and some other nationalities can now get longer visas). You need one blank page and minimum 6 months validity of your passport. Official confirmation of accommodation booked throughout your stay in China as well as proof of entry and exit from China (air or train ticket reservations) are required both of which we can provide. Visas take a 4 working days to process.

From November 2018 all visa applicants in the UK aged 12 or over are required to visit the Chinese visa application centre in London, Manchester or Edinburgh to have their finger prints scanned as part of the Chinese visa application process.

Some nationalities are allowed to spend up to 144 hours in certain Chinese cities without a visa providing they are flying in and out of that city and hold an onward ticket and visa or permission of entry to the next country (which can’t be your own country). Of course, most taking a Trans-Mongolian trip will be either departing or arriving by train so this option is sadly not applicable.

If you are visiting Tibet as part of your trip to China you will need a special permit called a “Tibet Travel Permit”. If booking your trip through us we will obtain this permit for you and we will need a copy of both your passport details page and Chinese visa to do so. The permit itself is issued in China and comes as a separate piece of paper which you will need to keep with your passport until your time in Tibet is finished.

Click here to check your Chinese visa requirement (link takes you to Wikipedia).

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Planning Route Options

Map of the Trans-Siberian railway showing the major stops and popular places to visit as well as the Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian routes.

Planning Where To Stop

The Trans-Siberian Travel Company's selection of the best places to visit in Russia, Mongolia and China for your trip of a lifetime.

Planning When To Go

The best months of the year to take a Trans-Siberian rail tour - and when not to! Do you prefer the idea of a summer trip, a winter trip or fall colours of autumn?

Planning The Trains

A guide to the main trains used in our The Trans-Siberian Travel Company's tours, differences between first and second train classes and life on board.

Planning Experiences

The staff of The Trans-Siberian Travel Company came up with this list of the best experiences on offer though Russia, Mongolia and China.

Planning Accommodation

From modern to soviet hotels, Mongolian Gers, Siberian Home Stays to traditional style Chinese courtyards, the right hotel selection can make your trip!

Planning Money To Take

What currency to take on a Trans-Siberian tour - Russian Roubles? Mongolian Tugrik? Chinese Yuan RMB? US Dollars? Euros? Find the answers here.

Planning Visa Requirements

Most nationalities will need a visa for their Trans-Siberian trip - find out more information about Russian, Mongolian and Chinese visas here.

Planning Vaccinations

Vaccination and inoculations needed or recommended for a Trans-Siberian trip visiting Russia, Mongolia and China. Updated for Covid-19.

Planning FAQs

Our guide to the most frequently asked questions when planning your rail tour and holiday along the Trans-Siberian routes.

Planning Top Tips

Top Tips for a Trans-Siberian railway adventure based on experiences both good and bad from the trips we have done with specific lists for Mongolia and China.

Planning Reading List

The Trans-Siberian Travel Company's suggestions for a good read as you travel along the greatest railway in the world including reading lists for China, Russia and Mongolia.

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