Mongolia's isolated location, as well as its large, sparsely populated countryside, mean that both getting to and from the country, as well as getting around, will be an issue of relative importance. Air and rail are the two main ways people travel to the country, and both offer various positives and negatives. There are a few Mongolia transport options for getting around within the major towns, but once outside the options are much more limited.

Many people take organised tours to get around once they are in the country, and this is often the easiest and cheapest way to travel!

This Mongolia Transportation Guide gives information about both getting to and from Mongolia, as well as getting around once you are there. As tours are the most common ways of getting around the countryside, you should also take a look at our Mongolia Tours page, which offers a number of tour companies that you may wish to contact. To book accommodation, go to our Mongolia Hotels page.

Mongolia Transportation Guide

Getting To & From Mongolia

Air

The main airline serving Mongolia is MIAT (Mongolian International Air Transport: www.miat.com), the national carrier of the country. It operates flights to Ulaanbaatar from cities such as Beijing, Berlin, Moscow and Seoul, Tokyo as well as summer flights from Hong Kong, Osaka and other city. Other national carriers which have been expanding rapidly are Eznis Airways and AeroMongolia.

Aeroflot, Air China, Korean Air, Aero Mongolia, and Eznis Airways also serve Mongolia from various cities.

Chinggis Khan International Airport (ULN) (formerly known as 'Ulaanbaatar Airport') is located about 15 kilometres outside and to the west of the city. Transport options include mainly taxis to the city centre which take about 20 - 30 minutes. Taxi fee costs around USD 15.00 - 20.00. It's common that taxi drivers don't speak any English except few words like 'Hello' 'Taxi?' etc.

Facilities at the airport include duty free shops, a bank, car hire offices, a post office and a restaurant. In the incoming flight waiting hall, there are some ATMs and you can change some cash for local currency.

Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN) flight information telephone 976-11-1980 (hotline).

For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we recommend Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.

Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Mongolia.

Flights to Mongolia

Rail

The Trans-Mongolian Railway links Ulaanbaatar to China and Russia. There is an express train that runs weekly between Moscow, Ulaanbaatar and Beijing. The international trains offer sleeping and restaurant cars. Other weekly trains also operate between Ulaanbaatar and Moscow, as well as between Ulaanbaatar and Beijing.

Road

Travelling by road is not a very common way to get to and from Mongolia due to its isolated location. Prior permission from the Mongolian authorities to enter Mongolia by road is normally required. The main route to Ulaanbaatar is via Irkutsk, in East Siberia, and via Erlian, in North China.

Getting Around Mongolia

Air

MIAT, Eznis Airways, and Aero Mongolia also operate domestic flights. Due to the poor quality of many of the roads outside the larger towns, and the large distances and general remoteness of some areas of Mongolia, air transport can be the best option.

Rail

The main line through Mongolia is one that runs from north to south, passing through Sukhbaatar-Darkhan-Ulaanbaatar-Sainshand and Ulaanbaatar-Darkhan-Erdenet. There are also various branch lines that service the main industrial areas.

Road

The road network in Mongolia covers about 49,000 kilometres, and connects Mongolia's cities, towns and villages. Of these, only about 1,700 kilometres are paved, with the rest either gravel or dirt, bumpy roads.

The paved roads are generally found around the major cities and urban areas. Car rental is not possible without a driver, due to the poor state of many of the roads.

Urban Transportation

Throughout the cities there are much frequent bus and trolleybus services. Mini-vans are also quite popular, especially in suburbs and around Ulaanbaatar. Mini-vans and private buses are common transportation between Ulaanbaatar and other cities such as Darkhan, Erdenet as well as remote towns in countryside. The main auto stations are 'Teevriin Tovchoo' (Transport Bureau) which is located around 1 km from Ulaanbaatar Railway Station, and the one which is located near the Dragon Center in westernmost part of the city. These stations serve commuting transportation between Ulaanbaatar and other cities and towns. 

Taxis are another option of getting around the capital. There are several taxi companies such as City Taxi, Olloo Taxi, and Imperial Taxi etc. Private taxis can be hired or shared with other passengers for commuting between cities.