How to get to Mongolia

Planning your ideal trip to Mongolia, while often time-consuming, is incredibly rewarding and fun. The secret to a successful trip itinerary lies in careful methodical planning which anyone can achieve, however daunting the prospect may seem at first. There can be a myriad of questions that arise regarding what to do and in which order, stemming from how to juggle bookings and where to even start. When travel planning to Mongolia is done right, the whole process is smooth and seamless.

How to travel to Mongolia ? 

Mongolia is one of few landlocked countries in the world, the principle ways to Mongolia are by train and by air. Flights are run all year round by National carrier MIAT Mongolian Airlines to Europe: Berlin via Moscow, as well as to Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, and Irkutsk (Russia). Some additional flights are scheduled to Osaka and Nagoya during the summer time. Foreign Airlines such as Aeroflot, Air China, Korean Air are operating flights connecting Ulaanbaatar with Moscow, Beijing, and Seoul. The Trans-Mongolian railway which connects Moscow and Beijing passes through Ulaanbaatar. Mongolian railway runs to Ulaan- Ude, Irkutsk, and Beijing. 

International Flights to Mongolia

Are you wondering to how get to Mongolia from Europe, America, Asia or somewhere else?  The principal ways to Mongolia are by train and by air. Flights are run all year round by National carrier MIAT Mongolian Airlines to Europe: Berlin via Moscow, as well as to Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, and Irkutsk (Russia). Some additional flights are scheduled to Osaka and Nagoya during the summer time.

Foreign Airlines such as Aeroflot, Air China, Korean-Air are operating flights connecting Ulaanbaatar with Moscow, Beijing, and Seoul. We can offer direct ticketing and booking service for trans-sib train tickets (one way, round and transfer) and airport ticket for our customers.

Internal Flights in Mongolia

Most of the closest center of provinces are connected with the paved road. It has flights to the western Mongolian provinces and only one destination to Choibalsan- Dornod Province from Eastern Mongolia. Because of paved road to Khovsgol and South Gobi Province, flights are scheduled only in summer time by two local aviation operators. It is the easiest way to reach your targeted destination for only one to four-hour trip.

Train to Mongolia

One of the most exciting railroads in the world- the Trans-Siberian Railway runs from Moscow to Vladivostok. There are several branches on the line, one which goes through Mongolia. The Trans-Mongolian Railway is connected to the Trans-Siberian by a branch line from Ulan-Ude, providing a link between the Trans-Siberian and the Chinese railway system. The Mongolian sections were joined from the main line to Ulaanbaatar in 1949 and to China in 1955.

The total distance from Moscow to Ulaanbaatar is 6304 km, and from Moscow to Beijing is 7865 km. The Trans-Mongolian covers 1000 km from the Russian border to the Chinese border passing through Ulaanbaatar and several other towns. There are Russian, Chinese and Mongolian trains go and return to Mongolia, China, and Russia once or twice every week. Check out Trans-Mongolian Tours.

Travelling by Car in Mongolia 

Many travelers love to take an overland adventure in Mongolia and challenge themselves in the legendary endless steppe of the country. If you are one of those who plans to bring a vehicle into, Mongolia you should know on informing the tax authorities and border troops in advance at any of the border crossings in the country. You should complete the customs declaration form and make sure you have all valid vehicle documents, including driving license, ownership records (if the vehicle is rented or not yours- need papers to prove it) and insurance.

One of the most important things you must know is that if you enter Mongolia in a private vehicle you must leave in the same vehicle, or otherwise pay customs tax. Before starting your travel, you should check your engines and prepare it to be ready on off-road and bumpy roads in Mongolia. If your vehicle is good enough to travel on Mongolian roads, you won’t have trouble and stress.

Where are Border Crossings in Mongolia?

Except for Chinggis Khan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, there are several border crossings to China and Russia which is available by train or car. Maybe if you are planning to enter or exit Mongolia by crossing these border points, you should research and get know that some of the border points are open only to Mongolians, Chinese or Russians and you may not cross into China or Russia. After your trip in Mongolia, if you want to go your next destination by crossing to China or Russia, you should choose bigger border points for your successful exit and enter. The biggest borders points are road & train crossing to China at Zamin Uud, the road crossings to Russia at Altanbulag and the train crossing to Russia at Sukhbaatar. Others are the road crossing to China at Bulgan in the west, the road crossing to China at Bichigt in the southeast, the road crossing to Russia at Tsagaannuur in the far west, and Ereen-Tsav in the northeast and the road crossing to Russia at Khankh in the north.

After your trip in Mongolia, if you want to go your next destination by crossing to China or Russia, you should choose bigger border points for your successful exit and enter.

How to get Mongolia Visa?

If you are a frequent traveler, you would definitely know about the pain of getting the visa. Sometimes, even though you plan an international trip, you are in a situation to either postpone or cancel your trip. Except for visa-free countries, every visitor to Mongolia needs a visa. But you don’t need to worry about it. Visa Application process is very simple. If there is Mongolian embassy or Consulate in your country, you should complete the application form and hand it at the embassy, with a number of passport photos, your passport (with passport copies) and pay the fee. Download Mongolian visa application from here.

Mongolia visa on arrival

Mongolia visa on Arrival – the service is only intended for travelers who cannot normally obtain a visa at their originating point or no Mongolian consular conventions in their home country. The Mongolian Immigration office requests that travelers wishing to obtain a visa on arrival should email that office in advance of their arrival providing their full name, date of birth, citizenship, passport number and expiry date and arrival date, time and flight number. Only when you receive an invitation from the Immigration Office, you can get the visa on arrival at the airport in UB. If you choose us your travel partner in Mongolia, we will give you visa supports and stress free travel for you. Please keep in mind that if you want to get Mongolian visa on arrival, you have to enter the country only by air at Chinggis Khan Airport, not any other border point of entry to Mongolia.

Mongolia Visa Info

If you are citizen of the following countries/ of Belarus, Brazil, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Serbia, Ukraine, USA, Canada, Cuba, Germany, Israel, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong/ , you are welcome and feel free to tour Mongolia without visa. And only diplomatic passport holders of nearly 30 countries also can travel Mongolia without a visa. For more detailed info about Mongolia visa related info- read Our Traveler’s checklist.  Visa-free travel countries to Mongolia are differed by a stay of durations. So please check it and plan your travel to Mongolia be smart and accurate.

Travel to Mongolia from European Countries

According to the newly updated official inform from Mongolian Visa requirement which has revised by Government resolution in July 2018:
Especially, tourists coming from European countries, where there is no Mongolian diplomatic presence or visa issuing honorary consuls, are eligible to obtain on arrival visa at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar.
For your preference, the European countries where there is no Mongolian diplomatic presence are Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
Passengers from European countries where there is no Mongolian diplomatic presence, traveling for tourism to Mongolia do not need a confirmation before departure and can obtain a single entry visa (tourist) on arrival at Ulaanbaatar.

How long can a visitor stay in Mongolia on a tourist visa?

Mongolian tourist visa, designated as J on your passport, is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and you can enter Mongolia at any time up to the last day on the visa. Once you have entered before the last date shown on the visa, this will be the start of your 30 days inside the country and only single entry. But if you want to travel more, you can extend your visa up until 4 days before expiry in Immigration office in Ulaanbaatar and Bayan-Ulgii province. Please be aware of your expiry day in case of extending your Mongolia visa.

More than 30 day trip in Mongolia- Mongolian Visa Extension

If you are planning your trip in Mongolia for more than 30 days, you have to extend your visa after your arrival within 7 days. Plus, you need request letter from your Mongolia tour operator for extending visa and other essential documents. If you are traveling by yourself, it is not difficult. The process of your extension will take 3-5 business days. 

Double Entry Visa to Mongolia 

A double-entry tourist visa is also available, but only where the traveler is making a side trip from Mongolia and returning within a short time. The double-entry visa cannot be used to make two separate trips to Mongolia.

Transit Visa to Mongolia

Transit visas can be applied at an international airport if the applicant has an onward ticket or obtained a visa to destination country he or she plans to visit Mongolia. Transit visa is issued up to 10 days depending on the duration of the intended stay.
Passengers from European countries where there is no Mongolian diplomatic presence, traveling with onward ticket and already obtained a visa to the destination country if applicable, can obtain a transit visa on arrival with a maximum stay of 10 days. If you are crossing Mongolia by train, you can have a transit visa. But you can’t leave the train while in Mongolia, except for the Ulaanbaatar train station area. Once you have a transit visa, you can hop off only Ulaanbaatar and explore Mongolia within short times before arriving next Trans-Mongolian train come. To make your limited times in Mongolia more wise and worthy, please contact with local tour operates who arrange your short trip to most visited and must-see destinations in Mongolia within that time.

Travel Insurance and Medication

Maybe, you may think alike- Do I have to get travel insurance to Mongolia? Probably no matter where you’re going or how long, travel insurance is essential. You should choose the most suitable travel insurance for yourself in your home country and decide to get fully or separately covered for your trip to Mongolia.

Your travel in Mongolia may not go wrong and travel insurance can provide you peace of mind.  As a responsible travel expert in Mongolia, all our tours and cars are fully insured for your safety and trouble free travel around the country. Unlike African or other tropical countries, there are no risks or concern about the disease in Mongolia- actually, it is almost safe –area. However, please don’t forget to visit your doctor or travel medicine clinic at least a week ago before starting your trip in Mongolia. Mongolian pharmacists may be unfamiliar with American or your used brand names, so you may have to use the generic name instead. Before you leave, ask your doctor for a list of the precise generic names of your medications, and the names of equivalent medications. It's best to take a full supply of any medications and nonprescription medications such as vitamins or supplements with you which they may not be available in the same form you’re used to.

Mongolia is an idyllic destination for cultural and adventurous travelers. But it isn’t until you arrive and discover the must visit places in Mongolia that you truly understand the multitude of once-in-a-lifetime-experiences this nomadic country has to offer. These are five most popular destinations why every traveler needs to visit. Read More about Mongolian Top Destinations.