The corridor leaves China at Khorgos, crosses Kazakhstan to Aktau, ferries the Caspian, and comes ashore at Alat for the Azerbaijan and Caucasus railways. It does not pass through Russia or Belarus. Indicative transit is 20–25 days to Baku and 27–32 days to Tbilisi or Poti.
What gets called the Trans-Caspian is rail, then a ferry, then rail again. China is standard gauge and Kazakhstan is broad gauge, so the container is lifted at the border before it can run to Aktau. The Caspian crossing is a ferry, not an ocean liner: about 24–48 hours underway, with waiting and port work on top. After Alat the box can stop in Baku, or continue south on the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway.
| Destination | Indicative transit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Baku | 20–25 days | FCL. LCL enquiries use the Baku FCL page |
| Tbilisi, Poti | 27–32 days | The extra days are the Caucasus rail leg; Poti connects to the Black Sea |
| Tehran via Aktau–Anzali | 28–35 days | That ferry lands at Anzali in Iran, not at Alat. It is one of the three Iran corridors |
Block trains via Manzhouli, Erenhot or Alashankou into Russia and on to Europe are the northern route. Their transits sit on the China to Russia and China to Europe pages. The Trans-Caspian is the route that stays out of Russia and Belarus, for cargo destined to Azerbaijan, Georgia, or onward from Poti.
Iran via Sarakhs or Incheh Borun stays on rail the whole way and does not board a Caspian ferry. That difference is set out on Is there a railway from China to Iran?. Only the Aktau–Anzali branch is both “Trans-Caspian” and “destination Iran”.
First, the destination: Baku, Tbilisi, Poti or Tehran. Clearance and delivery sit in different countries. Second, whether the cargo can absorb the ferry connection. Do not plan the delivery date on the shortest day in the range. Third, the box type and whether destination clearance is included. Rates follow space and the ferry schedule; this page does not list a fixed price.
Pickup and loading can be handled from the Xi'an warehouse (6,000 m²) before the container joins the corridor. Office: Room 110, dry port bonded building, 88 International Harbour Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. WhatsApp：+8618092829394. Email info@ydxtrans.com.
No. The path is China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian and Azerbaijan, then south to Tbilisi and Poti when Georgia is the destination.
About 24–48 hours underway. The door-to-station figure also includes waiting, loading and work in both ports, which is why Baku is planned at 20–25 days rather than as a two-day hop.
After Baku the container still has to run the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway. Tbilisi and Poti are 27–32 days, against 20–25 days for Baku.
Iran DDP is described on Iran DDP door delivery. Aktau–Anzali is one of the rail corridors into Iran. Sarakhs and Incheh Borun do not use this ferry.