What currency should I bring to Mongolia?

Euros or US dollars. Both exchange easily at banks in Ulaanbaatar. Bring clean, undamaged notes. Exchange only what you need on arrival and withdraw tugrik from ATMs for the best rates.

Can I use my European bank card in Mongolia?

In Ulaanbaatar, yes — Visa and Mastercard work at ATMs and many card terminals. Outside the capital, cards are essentially useless. Maestro cards may work at Khan Bank ATMs. Notify your bank before travel.

Is tipping expected in Mongolia?

Tipping is not traditional in Mongolian culture but is increasingly expected in tourist contexts. Ger camp staff, drivers, guides, and interpreters appreciate tips — roughly 10,000–20,000 MNT per day for drivers/guides. Restaurant tipping is not customary.

How expensive is Mongolia?

Mongolia offers good value for adventure travel. Budget travellers can manage on 30–50 EUR/day (guesthouses, local food). Mid-range ger camp tours with driver and guide cost 60–120 EUR/day per person. Ulaanbaatar is more expensive than the countryside. Domestic flights (to Gobi, western Mongolia) add significant cost.

Mongolia

🇲🇳

Phone Code

+976

Capital

Ulan Bator

Population

3.4 Million

Native Name

Монгол улс

Region

Asia

Eastern Asia

Timezones

Choibalsan Standard Time

UTC+08:00

+2 more

Mongolia is a vast landlocked country in Central/East Asia between Russia (north) and China (south), known for nomadic culture, endless steppes, Gobi Desert, and Genghis Khan heritage. World's least densely populated country (2 people/km² vs Netherlands 500/km²), Mongolia is 1.56 million km² with only 3.4 million people - half live in capital Ulaanbaatar. Former Mongol Empire (1206-1368) under Genghis Khan conquered largest contiguous land empire in history (stretching from Korea to Hungary). Modern Mongolia gained independence from China in 1911, became communist satellite of Soviet Union (1924-1992), transitioned to democracy in 1990. Ulaanbaatar, the capital and coldest capital city in world (average -1.3°C annually, -40°C winter common), contains half the population but rest of country remains nomadic herding lifestyle unchanged for centuries. Visitors are drawn to nomadic culture and ger/yurt stays with herding families, horseback riding across steppes, Gobi Desert sand dunes (Khongoryn Els singing dunes), Naadam Festival (July, wrestling/archery/horse racing), Genghis Khan Statue Complex (40m tall, 1 hour from Ulaanbaatar), Terelj National Park hiking, Erdene Zuu Monastery (oldest Buddhist monastery), Eagle hunting in western Mongolia, throat singing performances, and Trans-Siberian Railway journey. Mongolia offers authentic nomadic experience, extreme wilderness, and rich cultural heritage in one of world's most remote destinations.

Visa Requirements for Mongolia

Mongolia offers visa-free entry to citizens of over 60 countries for tourism stays up to 30 days, including United States (30 days), Canada (30 days), United Kingdom (30 days), Germany (30 days), Japan (30 days), and many other developed nations. E-visas are available online for citizens of 100+ countries (including Australia) for stays up to 30 days - simple application process taking 3-7 days with $60 USD fee. Those not eligible for visa-free or e-visa entry must apply through Mongolian embassies. IMPORTANT: Even visa-free travelers must register with Mongolian immigration authorities within 7 days of arrival if staying beyond 7 days - hotels do this automatically, but if staying in gers/yurts or with families, must register at immigration office (₮3,000 fine per day if not registered). Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay. Mongolia's visa policies are relatively liberal to encourage tourism, though infrastructure remains limited outside Ulaanbaatar. Peak season June-September requires advance planning. Winter tourism (November-March) possible but extremely cold and many tourist camps closed.

Common Visa Types

Visa-Free Entry

30 days typically (varies by nationality - check specific); passport valid 6 months beyond stay; MUST register with immigration within 7 days if staying beyond 7 days (hotels do automatically, ger camps and homestays may not - register yourself); no work permitted; return ticket recommended; can be extended.

For tourism for citizens of 60+ countries including US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, France, and other developed nations.

E-Visa

30 days; apply online at evisa.mn; processing 3-7 days; costs $60 USD; requires passport scan, photo, travel itinerary, accommodation booking; print e-visa approval and show at border; single entry; MUST still register if staying beyond 7 days; straightforward process.

For citizens of 100+ countries (including Australia) not eligible for visa-free entry or preferring pre-approved e-visa.

Embassy Visa

30-90 days depending on type; requires application form, passport, photos, invitation letter (for non-tourism), hotel booking; Mongolia has limited embassy network; processing varies; relatively few applicants due to visa-free/e-visa availability.

Traditional visa obtained through Mongolian embassy for nationalities not eligible for visa-free or e-visa entry.

Transit Visa

Up to 10 days; useful for Trans-Siberian Railway travelers stopping in Ulaanbaatar between Moscow and Beijing; may be visa-free depending on nationality; if required, apply through embassy or e-visa system; many travelers break Trans-Siberian journey in Mongolia.

For travelers transiting through Mongolia on Trans-Siberian Railway or by land between Russia and China.

Important Travel Information

Registration requirement CRITICAL: ALL visitors (including visa-free) must register with Mongolian Immigration Agency within 7 days of arrival IF staying more than 7 days. Hotels and guesthouses in Ulaanbaatar register automatically. Problem: tourist ger camps in countryside often DON'T register guests - you must register yourself at local immigration office or in Ulaanbaatar. Penalty: ₮3,000/day fine plus potential exit problems. Keep registration certificate. If staying under 7 days, no registration needed.

World's coldest capital: Ulaanbaatar averages -1.3°C annually, coldest national capital. Winter (November-March) regularly -25°C to -40°C. Summer (June-August) pleasant 15-25°C. EXTREME temperature range: -40°C winter to +40°C summer possible. Visit June-September for best weather. May and October shoulder seasons cold but possible. Winter tourism exists but requires serious cold weather gear and many tourist ger camps closed.

Least densely populated country: Mongolia has 2 people per km² - world's lowest density (compare Singapore 8,000/km²). Vast empty landscapes. Half population (1.6 million) lives in Ulaanbaatar. Countryside extremely remote. Can drive hours seeing only nomadic gers and livestock. No towns between destinations. Requires good planning, supplies, and preferably guide/tour for countryside travel. Easy to get lost.

Travel Guide

Mongolia is one of the world's last great wilderness frontiers — a country three times the size of France with a population smaller than Berlin's, where nomadic herders still move with the seasons across endless steppe and the Gobi Desert stretches to the Chinese border. The Naadam Festival (July), featuring wrestling, horse racing, and archery, is the cultural highlight. Ger (yurt) stays with nomadic families, camel treks through the Gobi, eagle hunting with Kazakh nomads in the Altai Mountains, and the Trans-Siberian Railway stopover in Ulaanbaatar are among Central Asia's most compelling travel experiences.

Ways to Experience This Destination

Nomadic culture & ger stays

Staying with nomadic herder families in traditional gers (yurts) on the open steppe is Mongolia's signature experience. Families welcome travellers to share fermented mare's milk (airag), horsemeat meals, and the rhythms of pastoral life. The Orkhon Valley (UNESCO) preserves the heartland of Mongol nomadism.

Naadam Festival

The Naadam Festival (11-13 July) is Mongolia's national celebration, featuring the Three Manly Sports: wrestling, horse racing (children ride across vast distances), and archery. The main event in Ulaanbaatar fills the National Stadium, but smaller local Naadams across the countryside offer a more intimate experience.

Gobi Desert & wildlife

The Gobi stretches across southern Mongolia — flaming red cliffs at Bayanzag (dinosaur fossil site), singing sand dunes at Khongoryn Els, and the Yolyn Am ice gorge in summer. Wild Bactrian camels, snow leopards, and Gobi bears inhabit one of the world's least-visited desert ecosystems.

Trans-Siberian Railway

Mongolia is the natural midpoint of the Trans-Siberian/Trans-Mongolian Railway between Moscow and Beijing. Many travellers break the journey in Ulaanbaatar for days or weeks, using it as a base to explore the countryside before continuing to China or Russia.

Eagle hunting & Altai Mountains

In the far west, Kazakh eagle hunters of the Altai Mountains train golden eagles for hunting on horseback — a tradition spanning centuries. The Golden Eagle Festival (October) in Olgii draws photographers and adventurers from around the world.

Money & Currency

₮

Mongolian Tögrög (MNT)

Currency code: MNT

Practical Money Tips

Mongolia uses the tugrik (MNT)

The local currency is the Mongolian tugrik (MNT), trading at roughly 3,700–3,900 MNT per euro. Euros and US dollars are the preferred currencies for exchange. Banks and licensed exchange offices in Ulaanbaatar offer competitive rates. Outside the capital, exchange facilities are extremely limited — carry sufficient tugrik when heading to the countryside.

ATMs in Ulaanbaatar, scarce elsewhere

ATMs are widely available in Ulaanbaatar (Khan Bank, Golomt Bank, Trade and Development Bank). Most accept Visa and Mastercard. Outside the capital, ATM access drops sharply — provincial capitals may have one or two machines, rural areas have none. Plan to withdraw all cash needed for countryside trips before leaving Ulaanbaatar.

Cards in Ulaanbaatar only

Card payments (Visa, Mastercard) work at hotels, restaurants, and shops in Ulaanbaatar. Everywhere else — ger camps, countryside markets, local transport, petrol stations — payment is exclusively in tugrik cash. Mobile payments (QPay, SocialPay) are popular among locals but require a Mongolian bank account.

Carry plenty of cash for the countryside

Mongolia outside Ulaanbaatar is a cash-only economy. Ger camp fees, horse and camel treks, driver/guide tips, fuel, and food purchases all require tugrik banknotes. Carry a mix of denominations — larger notes (10,000, 20,000 MNT) for ger camps and fuel, smaller notes for food and small purchases.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions