The Tsar’s Gold Train

Photo credit: Ross Hillier

About the Train

A journey by rail is an ideal way to take a comfortable, relaxed, wide-ranging tour of some of the most fascinating destinations MIR travels to. On the Tsar’s Gold private train you can relax and enjoy the panorama rolling past your private window and disembark for guided off-train tours of the fascinating towns and cities along the way.

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Train & Hotel Accommodations

On the Tsar’s Gold, six classes of accommodations all provide basic comforts with a range of amenity levels. Higher-end Bolshoi Class cabins are en suite, while more basic classes share bathrooms. The Nostalgic Comfort Class is retrofitted to resemble cabins used by Communist Party leaders in the 1950s. Each car on the Tsar’s Gold has its own attendants who provide bed turndown service.

MIR’s Trans-Siberian Express route includes an approximately 16-hour overnight journey between Beijing and Erlian at the China-Mongolia border. This part of the trip is aboard a chartered Chinese train with only one style of accommodation.

Please note that a variety of cabins styles may be in use aboard the train. Decor, layout, and type and number of dining and sleeping cars on your journey may differ from the examples depicted in MIR’s literature and on our website.

Bolshoi Platinum Class

Each cabin in Bolshoi Platinum Class, the most comfortable option available on the Tsar’s Gold, has an upper and a lower sleeping berth, a window-side table, and a bathroom with shower, toilet, and washbasin. Guests are provided with bathrobes and slippers.

Bolshoi Platinum Class cabin dimensions (5 compartments per carriage):

Cabin length: 6′ 8″ (203 cm)

Cabin width (including closet): 8′ 2″ (250 cm)

Cabin height: 8′ 4″ (255 cm)

Bed 1 length: 6′ (184 cm)

Bed 1 width: 3′ 11″ (120 cm)

Bed 2 length: 5′ 8.5″ (174 cm)

Bed 2 width: 2′ 8″ (82 cm)

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  • Sample Bolshoi Platinum Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Platinum Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Platinum Class Sleeper (night) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Platinum Class Sleeper (night) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Platinum Sleeper compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Platinum Sleeper compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Platinum Sleeper compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Platinum Sleeper compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Platinum Sleeper car layout - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Platinum Sleeper car layout - Tsar's Gold

Bolshoi Class

Bolshoi Class cabins feature the same modern en suite amenities as Bolshoi Platinum, but in a smaller space, including a smaller bathroom with a wet room-style shower area.

Bolshoi Class cabin dimensions (6 compartments per carriage):

Cabin length: 6′ 8″ (203 cm)

Cabin width: 5′ 10″ (178 cm)

Cabin height: 8′ 4″ (255 cm)

Bed 1 length: 6′ (184 cm)

Bed 1 width: 3′ 7″ (110 cm)

Bed 2 length: 5′ 8.5″ (174 cm)

Bed 2 width: 2′ 7.5″ (80 cm)

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  • Sample Bolshoi Class Sleeper - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Class Sleeper - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Bolshoi Class cabins feature modern en suite amenities, including a bathroom with a wet room-style shower area (Tsar's Gold train). Bolshoi Class cabins feature modern en suite amenities, including a bathroom with a wet room-style shower area.
  • Sample Bolshoi Sleeper compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Sleeper compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Sleeper compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Sleeper compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Bolshoi Sleeper car layout - Tsar's Gold Sample Bolshoi Sleeper car layout - Tsar's Gold

Nostalgic Comfort Class

Nostalgic Comfort Class cabins are decorated in a style reminiscent of the sleeping cars used by Communist Party leaders in the 1950s. Cabins include convertible upper and lower berths, an armchair, and storage space above the door. Each cabin has a small washroom with handheld shower that it shares with a neighboring cabin. There are WCs at both ends of the car.

Nostalgic Comfort Class cabin dimensions (8 compartments per carriage):

Cabin height: 8′ 4″ (255 cm)

Bed length: 6′ 2″ (187 cm)

Bed width: 2′ 7.5″ (80 cm)

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  • Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Each Nostalgic Comfort cabin has a small washroom with handheld shower that it shares with a neighboring cabin. There are WCs at both ends of the car. Each Nostalgic Comfort cabin has a small washroom with handheld shower that it shares with a neighboring cabin. There are WCs at both ends of the car.
  • Each Nostalgic Comfort cabin has a small washroom with handheld shower that it shares with a neighboring cabin. There are WCs at both ends of the car. Each Nostalgic Comfort cabin has a small washroom with handheld shower that it shares with a neighboring cabin. There are WCs at both ends of the car.
  • Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class car layout - Tsar's Gold Sample Nostalgic Comfort Class car layout - Tsar's Gold

Superior Plus, Superior, and Classic Classes

There are three levels of more basic accommodation on the Tsar’s Gold train: Superior Plus, Superior, and Classic.

All three offer comfortable accommodation with twin-berth compartments featuring two lower berths. Beds convert to comfortable sofas for daytime travel, and there is storage space under the berths and above the door. WCs are found at both ends of the car in all cases, and typically every other car has a shower compartment at one end.

  • Superior Plus Class cabins feature new upholstery and modern design, include an electrical outlet in the cabin, and have a shower in every carriage.
  • Superior Class cabins also have new upholstery and modern design, but no electrical outlet and one shower for every two carriages.
  • Classic Class cabins, the best-value option, don’t have some of the design details of the Superior classes and share a shower between two to four carriages.

Superior Plus, Superior, and Classic cabin dimensions (8 or 9 compartments per carriage):

Cabin length: 6′ 3″ (190 cm)

Cabin width: 5′ 11.5″ (182 cm)

Cabin height: 8′ 4″ (255 cm)

Bed length: 6′ 3″ (190 cm)

Bed width: 2′ 2.8″ (68 cm)

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  • Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Superior Plus Class has a shower in every carriage and WCs are found at both ends of the car. Superior Plus Class has a shower in every carriage and WCs are found at both ends of the car.
  • Superior Plus Class has a shower in every carriage and WCs are found at both ends of the car. Superior Plus Class has a shower in every carriage and WCs are found at both ends of the car.
  • Sample Superior Plus Corridor - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus corridor - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Plus Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Plus Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Plus Class car layout - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Plus Class car layout - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Superior Class has one shower for every two carriages and WCs are found at both ends of the car. Superior Class has one shower for every two carriages and WCs are found at both ends of the car.
  • Superior Class has one shower for every two carriages and WCs are found at both ends of the car. Superior Class has one shower for every two carriages and WCs are found at both ends of the car.
  • Sample Superior Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Class compartment layout (day and night variations) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Superior Class car layout - Tsar's Gold Sample Superior Class car layout - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Classic Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Classic Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Classic Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Classic Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold Sample Classic Class Sleeper (day) - Tsar's Gold

One Night Aboard a Chinese Train

For the approximately 16-hour overnight journey between Beijing and Erlian at the Chinese/Mongolian border, guests travel aboard a chartered Chinese train. It is furnished in a modern and practical manner, but does not have the features of the Tsar’s Gold Nostalgic Comfort or Bolshoi Class cabins. Passengers travel in comfortable compartments with either two or four berths.

The number of cabins available for single occupancy is limited. Guests booked for single occupancy in Tsar’s Gold Nostalgic Comfort, Superior Plus, Superior, and Classic classes are not guaranteed single-occupancy cabins for this overnight travel segment.

View Photos
  • Sample Chinese train on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train Sample Chinese train on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train
  • Sample Chinese train cabin (day) on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train Sample Chinese train cabin (day) on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train
  • Sample Chinese train cabin (night) on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train Sample Chinese train cabin (night) on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train
  • Sample Chinese train corridor on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train Sample Chinese train corridor on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train
  • Sample Chinese train washroom on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train Sample Chinese train washroom on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train
  • Sample Chinese train WC on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train Sample Chinese train WC on the Tsar's Gold Rail Journey by Private Train

Hotel Accommodations

Five or six nights of the tour (depending on which direction you are traveling) are spent in hotels — two or three in Beijing, one in Ulaanbaatar, one in Irkutsk, and one in Moscow.

In Beijing and Moscow, Bolshoi Platinum and Bolshoi class passengers are accommodated in upgraded rooms, with standard rooms booked for guests in other classes.

Please note that the hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Irkutsk are moderate — basic but comfortable. Additional nights before and after the tour can be arranged on request.

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  • Sample hotel accommodation Sample hotel accommodation

Life Aboard the Train

The Tsar’s Gold private train provides everything you need for a pleasurable journey. Join travelers from around the world to enjoy the relaxed and casual environment onboard, with no need to wear formal attire on excursions or while dining.

The Tsar’s Gold train is a comfortable, but not luxurious, private train that can accommodate up to 200 passengers. The configuration and number of cars on a specific train depends on the number of passengers and may not be determined until close to departure.

Dining Cars

Dining cars feature Russian and European cuisine and function as lounges after dinner. Water, tea, and coffee are included with your meals. A selection of soft drinks, wine, beer, and spirits is available for purchase.

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  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • A seafood sampler in the Dining Car - Tsar's Gold A seafood sampler in the Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • A stellar presentation in the Dining Car - Tsar's Gold A stellar presentation in the Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car - Tsar's Gold
  • Sample Dining Car's Bar - Tsar's Gold Sample Dining Car's Bar - Tsar's Gold

Off-Train Tours

Rail journeys feature an extensive selection of off-train tours at the stops along our routes. Private coaches and local guides whisk you away from your train for fascinating half- or full-day forays into the principal towns and cities, sometimes including an in-city dining opportunity. Your tour’s itinerary includes all the details.

View Photos
  • Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest and most important structure in the Forbidden City Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest and most important structure in the Forbidden City.
The Tsar's Gold private train winds its way around Lake Baikal, one of the most scenic legs of the Trans-Siberian route
The Tsar's Gold train. Photo credit: Denis Solovjov
The Tsar's Gold train.
All aboard the Tsar's Gold private train.
The Tsar's Gold train. Photo credit: Denis Solovjov
  • The Tsar's Gold private train winds its way around Lake Baikal, one of the most scenic legs of the Trans-Siberian route The Tsar's Gold private train winds its way around Lake Baikal, one of the most scenic legs of the Trans-Siberian route.
  • The Tsar's Gold train. Photo credit: Denis Solovjov The Tsar's Gold train. Denis Solovjov
  • The Tsar's Gold train. The Tsar's Gold train.
  • All aboard the Tsar's Gold private train. All aboard the Tsar's Gold private train.
  • The Tsar's Gold train. Photo credit: Denis Solovjov The Tsar's Gold train. Denis Solovjov

Traveler Reviews

  • "It was one of the best organized trips enabling relative novices, but experienced travelers, to make a truly exotic journey."

    J. Vasquez

    Hinsdale, IL

  • "My favorite part of the trip was actually riding the train, enjoying the expansive scenery and crossing so many great Siberian rivers, as well as the local tours exploring more of the place history. It was a fabulous journey and I appreciate all that your company does to make a trip like this work so well."

    B. Lestrange

    Reseda, CA

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