Trans Siberian Train
 

I plan on taking the Trans Siberian Train Mongolian Route starting from Moscow next year. I have found a trip with Real Russia where I can personalize it to keep the costs down and see what I want to see. Two questions: has anyone used Real Russia and what are your thoughts? The trip ends in Beijing but I've already seen Beijing so I have no want to see it again.I can stay on the train from Ulan Bator to Beijing, then go to the airport. What is cheaper, is to fly from Ulan Bator to Beijing and go home from there. Will I be missing much if I end the trip in Ulan Bator and don't continue on the train? I live in the U.S. - desert surrounded by mountains so I'm ok with missing that part of the trip if it looks like home.

You might want to post this question on the Asia forum.
Good luck!

The Trans Siberian goes to Vladivostok, not Beijing. Why not take that if you're not interested in going back to China? Maybe by the BAM route? If you are set on the Trans Mongolian and fly from Ulan Bator you will miss seeing the bogies changed at the Chinese border (but if it takes you six hours to clear the Russian-Mongolian border as it did me you may not care by then, lol). You could also stop off in Datong where there are a couple of worthwhile sights. If you are going to the trouble of getting a Chinese visa you might as well get some use out of it.

I did not use Real Russia, I used a company that bought my train tickets, arranged home stays (not recommended), a few transfers and some sightseeing.

Real Russia are fine, with good after-sales service and they get good reports.

Yes, you'll be missing perhaps the best bit, crossing the Gobi desert with camels and yurts, the entry into China, the mountains of China and Great Wall in the distance. See photos on https://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberia...ow-beijing.htm

Why not go on to Shanghai? Just 5h from Beijing. Xian?

I've been to Beijing twice now and would happily go back, great city.

Trans-Siberian Railway I took ages ago must still have the same BORING scenery the whole way Moscow to Khaborvisk/Valdivastock as when I took it? Longest train ride of my life in more ways than one.

Mongolian version sounds a lot more scenic but you have taken it.

I certainly didn't find the Trans Mongolian boring, but I stopped off several times. Plus the trees in Siberia were wearing autumn colors. Would love to go back and ride it with snow on the ground. Also, the routes are the same as far as Ulan Ude, unless you take the BAM route which diverges at Tayshet, so not sure why you think the Trans Mongolian is more scenic.

If the OP doesn't want to cross the Gobi, s/he could also consider the Trans Manchurian route, perhaps with a stop in Harbin.

I am wondering if the smog in Beijing is as bad as has been reported.

my old corporation had a string of people off sick when returning to the West from respitory caught in Beijing.

It varies seasonally and over time. When it is bad, it can be very, very bad -- potentially life threatening to those with certain susceptibility. You might take a look at post #4 on this old thread:
https://www.fodors.com/community/asi...-april-965698/
and look for other posts on the matter by Peter N-H.