Chita to Irkutsk by train
Irkutsk lies 628 km (390 mi) west of Chita, -1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 9 h 1 min at the speeds typical of Russia rail, over roughly 766 km (476 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
| Chita | Irkutsk | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Russia | Russia |
| Population | 349,005 | 623,869 |
| Elevation | 690 m (2,264 ft) | 415 m (1,362 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+9 (Asia/Chita) | UTC+8 (Asia/Irkutsk) |
| Stations on record | Chita II, Peschanka railway station, Chita-1 Station | Voyenny Gorodok, Melnikovo railway platform |
Clocks in Irkutsk are 1 h behind Chita right now, so a 9 h 1 min journey lands only 8 h 1 min later by the destination clock.
Where to book trains from Chita to Irkutsk
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Staying in Irkutsk
Our booking partner lists 67 places to stay in Irkutsk. Of the 67 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (39), and 1 are five-star. Guests have left 452 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Irkutsk
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Irkutsk from Chita?
628 km (390 mi) in a straight line, west of Chita; by road roughly 766 km (476 mi).
How long does it take to get from Chita to Irkutsk by train?
About 9 h 1 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Chita and Irkutsk?
Irkutsk is 1 h behind at the moment (Asia/Irkutsk against Asia/Chita).
Where can I stay in Irkutsk?
Our booking partner lists 67 places to stay in Irkutsk, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.