Shipping by rail has become one of the smartest alternatives for moving goods from China to Europe, Russia, and surrounding regions. The network connecting China to more than 30 major cities across Europe gives businesses a reliable middle-ground option between slow ocean freight and expensive air freight. And thanks to strong rail links, the cost especially for long distances often beats other transportation methods.
If you’re exploring rail freight from China, this guide breaks down transit times, pricing, routes, and why companies choose this method. And if you need a logistics partner, DDPCHAIN offers competitive rates and fast handling for both FCL and LCL shipments.
China’s rail network now covers export hubs such as:
Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Yiwu, Suzhou, Shenyang, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin, Urumqi, and more.
From these origins, trains can reach destinations including:
Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, United Kingdom, and Iran.
This extensive coverage makes rail a strong option for importers who want:
Transit time varies depending on the destination country, distance, customs procedures, and the type of cargo. But the general timelines below give you a realistic idea of how long delivery usually takes.
| Country | Transit Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | 10–15 days | First entry point on the main corridor |
| Russia | 10–16 days | Longest segment of the route |
| Belarus | 14–16 days | Important transit hub |
| Poland | 12–16 days | Main EU entry gateway |
| Germany | 14–18 days | Major distribution hub |
| Netherlands | 14–16 days | Often routed via Germany |
| Belgium | 12–14 days | Usually through Germany/Poland |
| France | 14–17 days | Western Europe delivery |
| Czech Republic | 15–18 days | Central Europe route |
| Spain | 20–22 days | Longest Western Europe path |
| Italy | 18–22 days | Southern Europe connection |
| Lithuania | 14–16 days | Reached via Belarus/Poland |
| Latvia | 14–17 days | Northeastern corridor |
| United Kingdom | 18–20 days | Includes Channel crossing |
| Iran | 12–18 days | Middle corridor; transit varies |
If you ship with DDPCHAIN, you’ll receive updated ETAs based on the latest schedule and route availability.
Rail freight pricing depends on several factors:
Below is a general cost estimate for 20ft containers shipped from China to major European destinations.
| Country | Cost Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Russia | 1,500 – 3,500 |
| Germany | 3,000 – 4,500 |
| Netherlands | 3,200 – 4,800 |
| Belgium | 3,200 – 4,800 |
| France | 3,500 – 5,000 |
| Poland | 2,800 – 4,200 |
| Italy | 3,800 – 5,500 |
Actual pricing may fluctuate depending on seasonal demand, fuel rates, or customs requirements, but these ranges help set realistic expectations.
Several major rail corridors link China to Europe and neighboring regions. Depending on your destination, freight forwarders use one of the following routes.
| Route Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Northern Corridor (Trans-Siberian Route) | From China → Mongolia → Russia → Belarus → Poland → Germany |
| Middle Corridor (New Eurasian Land Bridge) | From China → Kazakhstan → Russia → Belarus → Poland → Germany |
| Southern Corridor (Central Asia–Caucasus Route) | From China → Kazakhstan → Azerbaijan → Georgia → Turkey → Europe |
| China–Russia Direct Route | From China directly into Russia, ending in Moscow and other cities |
| China–Iran–Turkey–Europe Route | From China → Kazakhstan/Turkmenistan → Iran → Turkey → Europe |
| Yiwu–Europe Railway Route | From Yiwu → Kazakhstan → Russia → Belarus → Poland → Germany, Netherlands, Spain, or the UK |
| Chongqing / Chengdu / Xi’an Routes | From these major hubs → Kazakhstan → Russia → Belarus → Poland → Germany and beyond |
Each route is chosen based on the final destination, customs requirements, and the fastest available schedule.
If you’re looking for a reliable way to move goods from China to Europe or Russia, DDPCHAIN can arrange:
Tell us your destination, cargo details, and preferred service we’ll handle the rest.
Transit time usually ranges from 12 to 22 days depending on the destination and route.
Rates typically fall between 1500 and 5500 USD based on the country, service type and route.
Yes. Rail freight is cost-effective for LCL cargo and offers stable weekly departures.
Key hubs include Yiwu, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Top rail freight providers on the China–Europe route operate from hubs like Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Yiwu, and Zhengzhou, connecting to countries such as Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, and Italy. For a fully managed solution, DDPCHAIN is a leading choice, offering reliable FCL/LCL rail shipping, customs handling, and door to door delivery.
Rail routes connect to Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran and more.
The Northern Corridor and Middle Corridor are the most stable due to strong infrastructure and consistent traffic.
Yes. Many forwarders, including DDPCHAIN, offer full door to door rail solutions for both FCL and LCL.
Distance, customs processing, route selection and cargo type all influence total delivery time
Booking rail freight from China is simple with a forwarder like DDPCHAIN. You just share your cargo details (weight, CBM, destination), and we handle the pickup from your supplier, export paperwork, rail booking, customs processing, and final delivery. This gives you a fast, cost-efficient China–Europe shipping option without dealing with multiple steps yourself.
