Getting Around Mongolia
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use buses and taxis in Ulaanbaatar. Rural: Rent a 4x4 or join guided tours for steppes and Gobi. Nomad Regions: Horses or jeeps. For convenience, book airport transfers from Ulaanbaatar to your destination.
Train Travel
Ulaanbaatar Railway
Limited domestic network mainly along the Trans-Mongolian line connecting major towns with overnight services.
Cost: Ulaanbaatar to Darkhan 10,000-15,000 MNT, journeys 2-12 hours between key stops.
Tickets: Buy at stations, online via UBTS, or agents. Hard/soft sleepers available.
Peak Times: Book ahead for summer (June-Aug) and Naadam Festival for availability.
Rail Passes
No national passes, but multi-journey tickets or international combos via Trans-Siberian for cross-border travel.
Best For: Long-distance to borders, savings on multiple segments for 2+ trips.
Where to Buy: Ulaanbaatar main station, official website, or travel agencies with e-tickets.
International Trains
Trains to Beijing (China) and Irkutsk (Russia) via Sukhbaatar or Zamyn-Uud borders.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 months ahead for best berths, discounts for advance purchase up to 30%.
Main Stations: Ulaanbaatar Central for departures, with connections to border points.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for countryside exploration with 4x4 vehicles. Compare rental prices from $50-100/day at Ulaanbaatar Airport and city centers.
Requirements: International license, credit card, minimum age 21, driver experience preferred.
Insurance: Full coverage mandatory for off-road, includes gravel roads and basic repairs.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 100 km/h highways (where paved).
Tolls: Minimal, but border fees apply; no vignettes needed.
Priority: Yield to livestock and oncoming traffic on narrow roads, right-of-way at unmarked junctions.
Parking: Free in rural areas, paid zones in Ulaanbaatar $1-2/hour near Sukhbaatar Square.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations in cities at 2,000-2,500 MNT/liter for petrol, scarcer in remote areas—carry extra.
Apps: Use Maps.me or offline Google Maps for GPS, as signals are spotty in steppes.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Ulaanbaatar rush hours, potholes and dust common outside cities.
Urban Transport
Ulaanbaatar Buses & Trolleys
Network of buses and trolleybuses covering the city, single ticket 500 MNT, day pass 1,500 MNT.
Validation: Pay cash to conductor on board, exact change required, no transfers.
Apps: Ulaanbaatar Transport app for routes, schedules, and real-time tracking.
Bike Rentals
Bike-sharing in Ulaanbaatar parks and tourist areas, $5-10/day with stations near Gandan Temple.
Routes: Paved paths along Tuul River and in National Park, avoid heavy traffic.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours for city sights, including Bogd Khan Mountain trails.
Taxis & Minibuses
Marshrutka minibuses and taxis operate city-wide, fares 1,000-3,000 MNT per ride, negotiate upfront.
Tickets: Cash only, apps like UBCab for metered rides from $2-5.
Airport Link: Fixed-fare taxis from airport to center $10-15, 30-45 minutes.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near Ulaanbaatar train station for easy access, central Sukhbaatar District for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 1-2 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and Naadam Festival (July).
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates for weather-dependent rural plans, especially in winter.
- Amenities: Check for heating, WiFi, and ger insulation before booking in remote areas.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for current conditions and tour inclusions.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G in Ulaanbaatar, spotty 3G/2G in rural areas with no coverage in deep steppes.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, ideal for nomad travel.
Activation: Install pre-trip, activate on arrival, roaming works in cities.
Local SIM Cards
Mobicom, Unitel, and Skytel offer prepaid SIMs from 5,000-10,000 MNT with urban coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, markets, or stores with passport registration required.
Data Plans: 5GB for 10,000 MNT, 10GB for 20,000 MNT, top-ups via apps.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, guesthouses, and Ulaanbaatar cafes, limited in ger camps.
Public Hotspots: Train stations and tourist sites offer free access in cities.
Speed: 10-50 Mbps in urban areas, use VPN for restricted sites if needed.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Mongolia Standard Time (UTC+8), no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Chinggis Khaan Airport (ULN) 17km from city center, bus 500 MNT (45 min), taxi $10-15, or book private transfer for $15-25.
- Luggage Storage: Available at Ulaanbaatar station (3,000 MNT/day) and airport lockers.
- Accessibility: Urban buses limited, trains have steps; rural tours offer adapted vehicles.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains with permit ($5 fee), check ger camp policies.
- Horse Transport: Horses for tours free with guides, rentals $10-20/day in nomad areas.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Mongolia
Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN) is the main hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Chinggis Khaan (ULN): Primary international gateway, 17km east of Ulaanbaatar with bus links.
Ulaanbaatar Domestic (UBN): For internal flights to Gobi or Lake Khuvsgul, 5km from center.
Khovd Airport (HVD): Regional for western Mongolia, limited flights from UB.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer (June-Aug) to save 20-40% on international fares.
Flexible Dates: Mid-week flights (Tue-Thu) cheaper, avoid Naadam peak.
Alternative Routes: Fly via Seoul or Beijing for connections, then domestic to save.
Budget Airlines
MIAT Mongolian Airlines and Hunnu Air for domestic, Air Astana for regional.
Important: Include baggage and rural airport fees in total costs.
Check-in: Online 24 hours prior, arrive early for security in ULN.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Common in Ulaanbaatar, rare elsewhere; fees 3,000-5,000 MNT, use bank machines.
- Credit Cards: Visa/Mastercard in cities, cash preferred in rural and ger camps.
- Contactless Payment: Growing in UB shops, limited outside; apps like QPay useful.
- Cash: Essential for markets, taxis, and nomad areas, carry 100,000-200,000 MNT in small notes.
- Tipping: Not customary, but 5-10% for guides or drivers appreciated.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airports for poor exchanges.