Quick Facts
Currency
Mongolian Tögrög (MNT). USD widely accepted in cities. ATMs common in Ulaanbaatar, rare in the countryside.
Language
Mongolian. English is spoken by guides and in hotels. A few phrases in Mongolian go a long way with locals.
Time Zone
Ulaanbaatar Time (UTC+8). No daylight saving. Western Mongolia uses UTC+7.
Safety
Mongolia is generally safe. Locals are famously hospitable. Standard precautions in crowded areas apply.
Visa Information
🌐 Visa-Free Entry
Mongolia grants visa-free entry to ordinary passport holders from 61 countries. Visa-free status is valid for citizens of 34 of these 61 countries through 2025, and subject to updates for 2026.
If your country does not appear on the visa-free list, please check whether you are eligible for a Mongolian e-visa.
💻 Mongolian E-Visa
Citizens of eligible countries can apply for an e-visa online for tourism purposes.
- — Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
- — Check eligibility and submit documents online
- — E-visa issued within 2–5 working days
✈️ Visa on Arrival
Available for travelers whose country has no Mongolian diplomatic mission. Obtainable at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Ulaanbaatar.
Required Documents
- — Official invitation letter from the Immigration Agency of Mongolia (arranged by your tour operator, approved at least 14 days before arrival)
- — Invitation letter processing fee (paid to the tour operator)
- — Return air or train tickets
- — Tour itinerary
- — Visa fee (paid upon arrival) — 108,000 MNT (approx. $45 USD)
- — Two passport-sized photos
- — Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity from entry date)
Tourist Visa — Required Documents
- — Completed visa application form
- — Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- — 3.5 × 4.5 cm passport photo
- — Copy of hotel booking or accommodation details
- — Copy of flight or train tickets
- — Proof of sufficient funds (e.g. bank statement, if required)
- — Visa fee (non-refundable)
Official Information Sources
Best Time to Travel
Mongolia has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. With 230–260 sunny days per year, Mongolia is known as 'The Land of the Blue Sky.'
Summer (June – August)
Average 20–25°C. Gobi can reach 40°C. The most popular time — festivals, green steppes, accessible countryside. Naadam Festival: July 11–13.
Autumn (September – October)
Average 3–10°C. Golden landscapes, fewer crowds, perfect photography conditions. Eagle Festival season in Bayan-Ulgii.
Winter (November – February)
Temperatures drop to –25 to –40°C. Dramatic and beautiful for adventurous travelers. Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) in February. Ice Festival on Khuvsgul Lake in March.
Spring (March – May)
Average 5–15°C. Unpredictable weather — four seasons in one day. Festival season: Camel, Ice, and Eagle festivals. Livestock birthing season.
What to Pack
Luggage
- Medium-to-large travel backpack or suitcase (preferably soft material)
- Small padlock
- Daypack for cameras, water, personal items
Clothing
- Comfortable walking or hiking boots
- Rubber slippers for ger camp bathrooms
- Waterproof and windproof rain jacket
- Warm coat or insulated jacket
- Scarf, hat, gloves (all seasons)
- Short-sleeved shirts (2–3), long-sleeved (1–2)
- Quick-drying trousers (2 pairs)
Travel & Technical
- Sunglasses with case
- Reusable water bottle (1L)
- Flashlight or headlamp + spare batteries
- Basic first-aid kit with personal medication
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Travel adapter (Type C and E plugs, 230V/50Hz)
Accommodation
In Ulaanbaatar
We partner with carefully selected 3-star to 5-star hotels in central locations — including Shangri-La Hotel, Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace, Blue Sky Hotel, Best Western Premier Tuushin, and Bayangol Hotel.
In the Countryside
During journeys through Mongolia, guests stay in traditional ger camps — round Mongolian dwellings adapted for travelers, with 2–4 beds per ger, clean linens, wood-burning stoves, and traditional decor.
Ger camps feature separate bathroom buildings with flush toilets and hot showers, restaurant service with Mongolian and European cuisine, charging facilities, and small shops. Some offer ensuite gers with private bathrooms for an additional fee.
Transportation
Mongolia is vast — daily countryside drives average 200–250 km over 3–6 hours, including scenic stops. While main roads between provinces are paved, many tour routes use unpaved dirt and gravel roads.
Our Vehicles
4WD Jeeps
Toyota Land Cruiser / Lexus / Prado — ideal for 2–3 travelers who value comfort and performance on rough countryside roads.
Japanese Minivans
Toyota Hiace 4WD / Mitsubishi Delica — rugged, air-conditioned, best for families and group tours. Capacity: 5 passengers + driver & guide.
Russian Vans
UAZ-452 — Mongolia's iconic countryside vehicle, built for dust, mud, sand, and water. Drivers everywhere can repair these. Capacity: 6–7.
Domestic Flights
MIAT Mongolian Airlines and Hunnu Air serve regional destinations including Ulgii, Murun, Dalanzadgad, Khovd. Free checked baggage: 15kg.
Getting to Mongolia
All international flights arrive at Ulaanbaatar's Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Main routes connect via Seoul, Beijing, Istanbul, Tokyo, Moscow, Berlin, and Osaka.
Trans-Mongolian Railway
A legendary rail journey — Moscow to Ulaanbaatar takes approximately 5 days (2,215 km), and Beijing to Ulaanbaatar takes about 36 hours. One of the world's most iconic train routes.
Staying Connected
Most hotels in Ulaanbaatar offer free Wi-Fi. In remote ger camps, Wi-Fi is limited — some camps now offer Starlink, but most don't. Mobile network coverage is available near towns and main routes.
📶 Tourist SIM Card
A local prepaid Tour SIM card is the easiest way to stay connected — saves money on data, calls, and texts while avoiding expensive international roaming charges.
Prepaid Data Plans
Call & SMS Rates
- — Local calls: 70 units / minute
- — SMS: 20 units / message
- — International calls: 188–688 MNT / minute
Validity Options
Phone Compatibility
Mongolia operates on GSM 900 / GSM 1800 with 4G LTE in most populated areas. Most modern unlocked smartphones are compatible.
🔌 Power Plugs & Electricity
Mongolia uses Type C and Type E plugs with a supply voltage of 230V / 50Hz.
Two round pins. Common across Europe and many other countries.
Two round pins with a hole for the socket's earthing pin. Standard in France, Belgium, Poland, and similar countries.
Voltage Guide
- — Dual voltage (INPUT: 110–240V on label) — only need a travel adapter
- — Single voltage (e.g. US 110V) — require a voltage converter or transformer
- — Most phones, laptops, and camera chargers are dual voltage — check the label