Is it still legal to get in to the Iron Train in 2025? No, and here’s a practical guide on how to do it!

As you probably already know it, riding the Iron Train and having one of the most dangerous experiences on Earth (I’ll explain later why it’s so dangerous) and has been illegal since November 2024, and the police no longer tolerate it. We did it in September 2025, we planned each step of our journey preventing our intentions from being clear from the first day we arrived in Mauritania and…we succeeded!

This is my step by step guide on how to succeed, and survive then as well.

The Route – Zouerat to Nouadhibou

The Iron Train runs every day from the mining city of Zouérat to the port of Nouadhibou, and you can take the journey in both directions.

Keep in mind that from Nouadhibou to Zouérat the train is empty, and the experience is quite different from what you might expect. I recommend living the full experience by traveling from Zouérat to Nouadhibou, fighting with the iron dust and crossing the Sahara Desert at sunset, through the night, and into the sunrise.

Where to catch the train – Fderik or Choum?

The Iron Train journey starts in Zouérat, a mining city in the heart of Mauritania. Here, in the mines, the train is loaded with iron and departs every day, but no one (except my trusted contact in Zouérat) knows exactly what time it leaves. Zouérat station is full of police officers, and here it is actually impossible to jump on the wagons. So, go to Zouérat station only if you have standard tickets to start the journey in a cabin. You can purchase tickets there.

Only a few kilometres away from Zouérat, the train stops in Fderik to complete the connection of the wagons. Here there are multiple good spots where you can start your 19 to 20 hour journey on the train. This area is supervised by police, but you have a better chance of succeeding from here.

If you do not want to take such a long journey, it is also possible to catch the train in Choum, a city in the middle of the desert. From here to Nouadhibou the train takes around 14 hours, so most of the time it arrives here late in the afternoon when it is already dark.

My personal advice is to experience the full journey and run the train from Fderik, you will probably do this experience just once in your life…Do you want to regret not making the full trip?

Don’t be a “Merenderos“.

How to arrive in Zouérat from Nouakchott

If your journey starts from the capital, Nouakchott, it will take approximately 11 hours to arrive in Zouérat. I decided to divide the trip into two parts: from Nouakchott to Atar, and then from Atar to Zouérat. I spent a total of three nights in Atar, which is definitely worth a visit.

Nouakchott to Atar. There are two ways to travel from the capital to Atar: by taxi, which is extremely expensive, or by taking a shared minibus. We decided to use the second option obviously because it is more convenient and offers a more authentic experience. The mini busses are for 9 people but don’t be surprised if you will be in 12 + 2 goats in them.

To take the bus, you have to go to the “Bus to Atar/Zouérat” station and buy tickets in the desk there.

If you are going to use a taxi to get there, I do not recommend asking on the street, as they will overcharge you. Instead, you have two options:
1. If you have a Mauritanian sim card, call 1122 (or ask to someone you can speak with) to reserve a taxi for you.
2. Download the Mauritanian taxi app, classride and request a run. It work exactly the same as Uber or Bolt, you can pay only cash. For the first access, the app requires you to have a local number for verification. You can definitely ask someone at your hotel to help you.

There are only two mini busses that runs daily, one is at 7.00 AM and the second is at 3.00 PM. We went there at 10.00 AM and we were so lucky that the first bus didn’t depart yet (they were loading some goats still). The cost is 700 Mauritan Ouguiya (around 18USD) for a 7 hours trip.

Atar to Zouérat.I hope that once you’re in Atar, you’ll plan to visit at least the Terjit Oasis and Chinguetti. For both you can use a shared pickpup (4×4), just go to the Atar bus station and ask for timing and prices. A one way trip to Terjit Oasis costs 250 Ouguiya (6USD), and to Chinguetti it’s 300 Ouguiya (7.5 USD).

Chinguetti is one of the oldest cities in the Sahara, known for its historic libraries filled with ancient Islamic manuscripts and its stone houses surrounded by desert dunes. Terjit, on the other hand, is a peaceful oasis tucked between rocky cliffs, with natural springs, palm trees, and the perfect atmosphere to relax after the heat and sand.

At the same station, you can also book the bus to Zouérat for 600 Ouguiya (15USD) one way, but make sure to do so at least one day in advance. There are two mini busses that departs from Atar to Zouérat, one at 7.00 AM and the second one at 03.00 PM, in our case we had to wait for the first one a couple of hours (again the goat loading takes time…).

The road from Atar to Zouérat offers beautiful views of the desert with vast sand dunes and rocky landscapes. The changing colors at sunrise and sunset create unforgettable scenery. Along the way, you can see small villages and nomads living their traditional lives. It is a journey full of natural beauty and culture.

Zouérat (Fderik) – How to get the Iron Train

Here we go. You’re in Zouérat after a long journey and you can’t wait to start the adventure of a lifetime. Ready?
Before I give you the crucial information you need, let’s have a quick safety briefing.

What risks do you face during this crazy adventure?

1. Police. As I mentioned above, the police don’t allow you to hop on the Iron Train. So, as long as you don’t get caught, you’re safe.
   I personally spoke with an Italian guy who was caught by the police at the Nouadhibou port and spent 4 hours at the police station, being questioned and waiting for a guarantee from Italy to be released. However in my trip, 3 Polish guys were caught by police in Choum. They had to pay 35 USD each to continue the journey, while me and my friend were properly hiding on the wagon.
2. Fall from the train. As long as you don’t do anything stupid, it’s almost impossible to fall off the train. Just don’t jump from one wagon to another, and avoid sitting on the edges, the train makes a lot of sudden movements while it’s running. Anyway, if you do fall and somehow survive, you’ll have a great story to tell me!
3. The “Predoni” or “Marauders”…the desert pirates. Is it rare to meet them? No. I can say that I spoke with 10 people who made this adventure, and at least 3 of them met them. What can you do? Nothing. But every time the train stops at night, don’t use your light, stay hidden, and don’t do anything.

So, once you’re in Zouérat, you have to consider that it’s not guaranteed you’ll be able to get on the train on your first attempt. Plan to spend at least two extra days in the city as a buffer.

As I’ve mentioned before it’s not possible to jump on the train in the main station and you must go to the Iron Ore Train Hop-on Point. The point is near to the city of Fderik, just 15 minutes driving from Zouérat. You can get there by taking a random taxi, which will cost you around 500 Ouguiya per person (12 USD). However, the driver will drop you off and then disappear as soon as you arrive to avoid getting into trouble. You risk waiting at the spot for hours for the train and being easily caught by the police.

Instead, I have someone to recommend, my trusted “Gancio.” I don’t know his real name, but for 1000 Ouguiya he organized our perfect “crime.” He was in touch with the train driver, so he knew the train’s schedule and stops (the train rarely skips Fderik stop). He took us to get frozen water, helped us get on the train after hiding behind a bush (You must jump on the train in less than 2 minutes, and then remain hide until when the train departs and leave Fderik), and explained how to behave during stops to avoid marauders and police.

He suggested to us which wagon to choose, that is extremely important.

Don’t choose those wagons too close to the beginning of the train, you’ll be subjected to more controls from police. And don’t choose wagons too far, if you’ll be attacked by Marauders you’ll be too far from other people.

We jumped on the 30th / 35th wagon and were always safe.

My “Gancio” is a legend, that with his two phones and the 007 glasses will guarantee to you to get the train! Ask me on IG for his contact.

The Iron Train Journey – Fderik to Nouadhibou

From Fderik to Nouadhibou the journey takes approximately 19 hours. No one knows in advance how many stops the train will make along the way or if any problems will occur. So settle in comfortably, create your own bed and space for your needs and prepare to live a memorable adventure!

After about 5 hours, you’ll arrive at Choum station. This is where locals usually get on the train. It’s also the station where the police asked a group of Polish travelers for 35 USD each to avoid being arrested. So once you’re here, stay quiet and hidden as much as possible. The police often climb onto the wagons to look for tourists. If you’re not on the first 20 or 30 wagons, you’re likely safe.

The sunset, seen from the train, was absolutely breathtaking. The sky turned into a canvas of deep oranges, purples, and gold, fading slowly behind the endless desert horizon.

Then during the night, as the train rumbles through the vast emptiness of the desert, you can admire what is likely the most incredible sky you will ever see, a wide blanket of stars stretching endlessly above you, untouched by light pollution and glowing with a clarity that is hard to describe.

But while the beauty of the night is unforgettable, it is important to stay alert, as the train often stops in the middle of nowhere, far from any settlement, and in those isolated moments there is a real risk of being approached or attacked by marauders moving under the cover of darkness.

Early in the morning, you will wake up near the Moroccan border, in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Make sure to keep plenty of water for the morning, because being covered in iron dust under the midday sun is not easy. The train usually arrives at the Nouadhibou port around 2:00 or 3:00 PM if no delays occur during the journey. And here comes the last important piece of advice you need to keep in mind.

Nouadhibou – Where to leave the train

Nouadhibou port is full of police, the Italian I spoke before was arrested there as soon as he left the train. We left the train 20km before the port, in the “End station Iron Ore Train“. This spot is safe and I’ve only seen one police officer there while train was stopping, but as soon as you’re not at the end of the train you don’t stop in front of them.

Once you arrive at the station, a couple of taxis will follow your wagon if you make eye contact with the drivers. I suggest to use one of them and don’t request a driver by the classride app, you don’t have time to stay there waiting for someone. Those drivers in the station know that the time is strict and they help you go down your things on the way down.

From the end station point to the city center the cost is standard and it’s 500 Ouguiya per person (12USD), it’s a lot but…would you like to risk being arrested right now?

Once you’re in the taxi…YOU DID IT!

It is estimated that between 1,500 and 4,500 travelers undertake this adventure annually, and you’re one of them.

Nouadhibou to Nouakchott

From Nouadhibou you can actually leave Mauritania by two ways:

1. By the Dakhla airport in Morocco. Dakhla is a nice city on the ocean, great to relax and surf after this adventure.
2. From the capital Nouakchott.

We decided to complete our journey spending two days on the Mauritania coast, so we had to depart from Nouakchott airport. To arrive in Nouakchott from Nouadhibou use a shared mini bus (as always), there are two busses per day: one that departs at 7.00 AM and the second one at 03.00 PM. You can purchase ticket for 600 Ouguiya ( 15USD) by going to the “Premiere Class Station” the day before because usually this lane is very busy.

Extra – Download the PDF Guide with all the local contacts

In this PDF, you’ll find all the essential contacts you need to travel safely and ensure you secure a spot on the Iron Train.

I hope this guide helps you have an unforgettable experience…and keeps you out of trouble along the way!

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