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Riding the longest train in the world, known as the Iron Ore Train Mauritania, is an incredible experience and one of my best adventures.
Sitting on top of the iron ore and looking around at the endless desert, wild camels, and night sky with millions of stars is incredible.
This is a unique 20-hour train journey across the Sahara desert you must have done if you like real adventures!
Mauritania is one of the least visited countries in Africa, tourism is not developed, and you don’t find many travel tours. So what do you need to know before you go?
Table of Contents
⬇️ Watch our video from the Iron Ore train in Mauritania ⬇️
About the Iron Ore Train Mauritania
The Iron Ore Train Mauritania is the longest and heaviest train in the world. Consists of 3-4 diesel-electric locomotives, about 200 cars each carrying 84 tons of iron ore, and 2-3 passenger cars.
The train uses a 704km (437 mi) single-track.
Since the tunnel in Choum was closed, a 5km (3,1 mi) railway is going through a part of the unrecognized country of Western Sahara.
The state agency Société nationale industrielle et minière (SNIM) controls the railway line.
How long is the Mauritania Iron Ore Train?
The Iron Ore Train is incredible about 2,5km (1,6 mi) long! It would take you about 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other end of the train.
Where does the Iron Ore Train go?
The beginning of the line is in the mines of Zouerat, then the train continues to the small town of Choum and ends in the port city of Nouadhibou on the Atlantic Ocean coast.
Iron Ore Train Mauritania schedule
There is no exact schedule. But the train runs every day for the whole year. Normally the train leaves Zouerat around 12 pm but you never know when it comes.
Just be patient and wait.
Our train arrived around midnight and we came to the waiting spot in Zouerat before 12 pm, so we waited for the train for 12 hours.
Tip: Check our article about what to know before you go to Cairo.
Iron Ore Train Mauritania tickets and price
Riding the Iron Ore Train Mauritania is completely free!
You do not need any tickets.
However, if you decide to take a passenger car for some reason, (you miss the whole point of this adventure) a ticket costs around 15€.
How do you ride the iron ore train in Mauritania?
First things first. You have few options. Decide if you want to ride an empty carriage or a carriage with iron ore and in which direction.
Empty or full carriage
Empty carriage
The Iron Ore Train Mauritania with empty carriages starts in the port city of Nouadibhou heading to Zouerat.
Because the carriages are empty you don’t have good views like when you sit on top of a pile of iron ore and the wind inside must be crazy too, so a better option is to take a carriage with iron ore.
As always there is no exact timetable. I saw one empty train depart around 7 pm. But you just must go and wait.
Carriage with iron ore
The Iron Ore Train Mauritania with carriages starts in the mines of Zouerat and continues to Nouadhibou via Choum.
There are 2 types of iron ore. One is soft like a powder but you get more dirty.
The other type is more stoney, it’s less comfortable but you get less dirty.
Here you have another 2 options.
You can hop on in the mines of Zouerat and ride the whole route of Iron Ore Train Mauritania as I did.
Or hop on in a small town of Choum and make your ride shorter for about 6 hours.
For me, Zouerat was an obvious choice, once you are in Mauritania why make one of the best adventures in your life shorter? Go to the full!
Also, normally trains arrive in Choum around 6 pm so most of your ride you will spend in total darkness.
It’s true you never know when the train will come, the Iron Ore train Mauritania I took arrived at Choum at 6:50 am so you would be lucky and have a full day of light.
But still, you would have a journey shorter!
Choose a direction for the Iron Ore Train
Zouerat/Choum – Nouadhibou
In this direction, the train goes filled with iron ore.
So you can sit on top of a pile of iron ore and enjoy incredible views of the Sahara desert. Also, the good thing is that Nouadhibou is a big city with many options for hotels, good showers (which you will definitely need), and restaurants.
In Zouerat Iron Ore Train starting point is a small hidden shop with snacks, water, a torch, and some other useful stuff!
Tip: The exact location of the Zouerat Iron Ore Train starting point I used.
There is also an Iron Ore Train hop-on point but for example, our train didn’t stop there.
Nouadhibou – Choum/Zouerat
In this direction, trains go empty (without iron ore).
You will arrive in a very small town with very limited options of hotels and restaurants.
Tip: The exact location of Nouadhibou train station.
Zouerat-Choum / Choum-Zouerat
In case you want to make just a short journey, you can go from Zouerat to Choum only, or the opposite way. The journey takes only about 6 hours.
A good option for somebody who doesn’t feel brave enough for a full more-less 20-hour journey.
Note: The Iron Ore Train Mauritania will stop in Choum for only 10-15 minutes!
And sometimes the train doesn’t stop in Choum at all!
Tip: The exact location of Choum train station.
How to get to Zouerat, Choum, Nouadhibou
From Nouakchott
There are daily mini buses from Nouakchott to Zouerat.
The price is about 1000MRU.
The journey takes about 11 hours.
The roads are actually very nice until the city of Atar after the last few hours is a little bit bumpy.
The driver will stop on the way to pray.
From Zouerat take a taxi to the train yard. It takes about 10 minutes. We paid 400MRU.
Tip: The exact location of Nouakchott bus station.
From Nouadhibou
All directions from Nouadhibou go via Nouakchott.
The only way to get from Nouadhibou to Choum/Zouerat is with Iron Ore Tain Mauritania.
The journey from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott takes about 7 hours and costs 700MRU.
Note: Don’t trust the times that Google Maps shows you! In Mauritania, everything takes longer.
What to know before riding an Iron Ore Train
Which part of the train should you hop on?
The beginning of the train is the best, You will have the best view of the whole train. But not very first cars because smoke from the locomotive will go directly to your face.
At the end of the train were passenger carriages with people, so it was quite busy there.
At the beginning of the journey we hopped on the 4th car but later during the day, they attached many other cars and we ended up almost in the middle, so you can’t really plan it.
We changed position 3 times during the journey.
How fast does the Iron Ore Train go?
The Iron Ore Train Mauritania doesn’t go very fast.
The average speed is 35km/h (21 mph).
How long does the train journey take?
Zouerat to Nouadhibou takes about 20 hours.
Choum to Nouadhibou takes about 15 hours
Zouerat to Choum takes about 6 hours.
Our full journey from Zouerat to Nouadhibou took 21 hours and 15 minutes. Mostly during the daylight.
Eating on the train
Eating on the train is quite a challenge. Try to eat well before the journey. Your hands will be dirty immediately, so bring food which is covered and you don’t have to touch it with your hands. Like bananas, biscuits, or energy bars. Even bread gets dirty.
When the train stops is the best time to eat because the iron ore is flying all around!
Sleeping on the train
Sleeping on the Iron Ore Train Mauritania can be uncomfortable. But if you are well-prepared even night can be ok. I used a sleeping bag and blanket. Made iron ore flat. Hide in the corner and fall asleep. I wasn’t cold at all. It can be windy so a sleeping bag is a must.
The toilet on the train
On the carriages with iron ore is no toilet of course. Just use the corner and in the Sahara desert, it will disappear almost immediately.
What to pack for your Mauritanian train journey
There are a couple of things that make your journey with Iron Ore Train Mauritania easier!
- Handkerchiefs for blowing the nose
- Ski goggles
- Lip balm
- A torch
- Warm clothes
- Rubbish+ small plastic bags to wrap all your luggage (iron ore gets everywhere!)
- Sleeping bag
- Easy-to-eat food
- A lot of water for drinking+washing yourself (We had about 5l per person)
- Camera protection
- Mask to prevent breathing iron ore
- A head scarf or any kind of t-shirt to protect you from the sun and iron ore
- Umbrella! This is the thing I never saw somebody mention. There is no shadow on the train!
What is the best time for riding the Iron Ore Train?
I rode the Iron Ore Train Mauritania in December. And it’s a good time to go.
The weather in Mauritania is usually dry all year round and hot during the day.
Summer temperature in a day is way too hot but nights are warmer.
From May to September, morning temperatures are a more favorable 16°C / 60°F, but afternoon temperatures can climb up to 49°C / 120°F.
In a winter days are less hot but nights are colder.
Low morning temperatures usually occur from December to March when the temperature can drop to 0°C / 32°F.
My experience of riding Iron Ore Train Mauritania
Many people ask me how I found out about Iron Ore Train Mauritania. I think it was in some documentary many years ago when I wasn’t even thinking about it to go there. Some years after I saw it again, but this time from travelers. So I started asking around who would be up to do it! Of course, there are not many people with such a spirit!
When one friend mentioned he wants to do it I didn’t hesitate for a second!
So in December, we decide to go. He flew to Nouakchott and I went there by land all the way from Amsterdam.
On the way I accidentally met other guys heading for Iron Ore Train Mauritania too! We spent together a full day traveling from Western Sahara to Mauritania. 2 guys went to Nouadhibou, and I with the other 2 guys continued to Nouakchott where our ways split again.
I reached Nouakchott in 5 days of traveling by train, bus, and ferry.
Tip: Read one of our articles about a ferry ride from Malta to Sicily or a ferry ride from Corfu to Albania.
After a few days of traveling around Mauritania, it was time to take Iron Ore Train Mauritania!
Taking a minibus from Nouakchott to Atar, spending 2 days there, and continuing to Zouerat directly to the starting point of Iron Ore Train Mauritania where we arrived before 12 pm.
After 12 hours of waiting and one security check from the police (just kindly asked for a copy of our passport and said welcome to Mauritania), our Iron Ore Train finally showed up!
Young local guys told us to hop in the passenger car which brought us to the carriages with iron ore.
Quickly climbing an old rusty dirty ladder and jumping into the iron ore. We left soon after around 00:45 am.
But after 20 minutes we stopped again. They attached other carriages with more iron ore! And because we wanted to be almost in the front we had to jump off and climb into other carriages.
We start preparing our “bed” with the hope no more carriages will be attached.
When we were in total darkness I looked up and saw the sky like I never before! Full of stars, millions of them, incredible!
After taking a few crazy photos for this travel blog I went to sleep. It was windy so I completely hid in my sleeping bag and fell asleep quite well.
At 6:50 am we stop at Choum for 10-15 minutes. Eat quickly while we stop because of no wind and then the day of crazy adventure can begin!
Enjoying the sunrise in the Sahara desert before the sun starts burning.
Because our train was late about 12 hours we had most of our journey during the day. Which had mostly pros but one con. The heat without shadow during 40 degrees!
That’s why I’m recommending you take an umbrella. You can’t hide from the sun. The carriages are hot, the wind is hot, and iron ore too.
It’s crazy to imagine local people have to take Iron Ore Train Mauritania because they have to. It’s tuff dirty ride.
During the day in the middle of nowhere, they attached other carriages with even more iron ore, so we ended up almost in the middle of the train.
Sitting on top of the iron ore looking at the never-ending Sahara Desert, camels and breathtaking sunset was an incredible experience.
We reached Nouadhibou at 22:00 where another policeman was waiting for us to check if we arrived safely.
Tip: I used Nouadhibou Guest House. Very clean place, with comfortable beds, a hot shower (you will definitely need it), and great wifi. The host from the Guest House was waiting for us near the train and drove us to the Guest house. Very nice and helpful guy!
Tip: Here you can see all your options for hotels in Nouadhibou.
Our full journey from Zouerat to Nouadhibou took 21 hours and 15 minutes.
Iron Ore Train Mauritania is the best experience and adventure I ever had!
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to ride the Iron Ore Train?
Riding this train is not illegal, but tourists are sometimes checked while waiting for the train. A copy of the passport will be required. So they know you arrived safely! it happened to me.
What is unique about the train that was built in Mauritania?
The Mauritania railway line is 704 km (437 mi) long and connects the iron mines of Zouérat with the port of Nouadhibou.
Travelers looking for adventurous experiences are increasingly coming to Mauritania. It is not only tourists who ride on top of the iron ore, locals often use this train to get through the Sahara desert.
There is no other train journey like this in the world!
How much does the Iron Ore Train weigh in Mauritania?
This train weighs about 17,000 tons and transports 16.6 million tons of iron ore annually.
How many carriages on an Iron Ore Train
This train is one of the longest in the world, it is about 2.5 km (1,6 mi) long and contains 200 to 210 cars, each of them carrying approximately 84 tons of iron ore.
Can tourists ride the Iron Ore Train?
Yes, you can hop on the Iron Ore Train Mauritania as a tourist.
It is widely known that locals use this train to transport across the Sahara desert. The train usually contains one or two carriages for passengers. Many adventurers have visited Mauritania in recent years precisely because of the Iron Ore Train Mauritania.
Is it safe to ride the Iron Ore Train?
Well, there are a few things good to know.
The weather in the Sahara desert can be contrasting, during the day the temperatures can rise above 40°C, and during the night the temperature drops to 0°C in some months. In addition, there are sandstorms and strong winds, which are not the best conditions for passengers on top of the train. But if you are well prepared you will be good!
Another dangerous thing is the risk of falling off the train. But if you don’t do anything stupid you will be fine.
It is worth considering whether every traveler is in sufficient condition to cope with the drastic conditions on a train in the middle of nowhere.
Just be sure you have travel insurance!
OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES
Accommodation: We use Booking.com where we always find great deals for hotels.
For hostels, we use Hostelworld where we find cheaper options and meet new people.
Rental cars: To rent your car with free cancellation check out Discover Cars.
Ferries: For cheap ferry tickets worldwide we use Direct Ferries.
All travel options in one place: Omio.com we use for easy travel planning where we can find trains, buses, ferries, and more.
Tours and other activities: Wherever we go we look at GetYouGuide to find the best tours and many other activities around the world!
Travel insurance: Never travel without travel insurance! Ekta works all over the world and has 10 years of experience in the industry. It is your right choice!
Reviews: Before we travel somewhere we always look at Tripadvisor, where we always find a summary of restaurants, places to visit, or hotels with current ratings and photos from people who have visited this place recently.
Luggage storage: Radical storage is such a helpful Luggage storage network! When we have a late check-in or an early check-out we don’t need to carry our luggage with us, we just simply put it in the Radical storage which operates in over 70 countries!
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