East Asia
Mongolia
Vast steppe, Gobi dunes and nomad hospitality, reached from Ulaanbaatar. Summer is easy for solo travelers who join shared tours; independent countryside travel means long drives and real self-reliance.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa65 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyMNTUS$1 ≈ ₮3,636.87Details
- Price level34%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English2/5LimitedDetails
- PlugsType C, E, F220 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency102Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101
- Tap waterFilter or boilUlaanbaatar's water is treated, but locals boil or filter it.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalStrong legal protections on paper, but social acceptance is low.Details
- Internet86 MbpsMedian fixed broadbandDetails
- DrivingOn the rightYou need a 1968-convention IDP plus your licence; 1949 IDPs are no longer accepted.
Where to go in Mongolia
4 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UlaanbaatarCapital city | 3/5 | $825–1,370 | Jun–Sep | 52/100 |
| Gobi DesertRegion | 4/5 | $687–1,240 | Jun–Sep | 79/100 |
| TereljRegion | 4/5 | $550–962 | Jun–Sep | 91/100 |
| Lake KhuvsgulRegion | 4/5 | $687–1,240 | Jun–Sep | 78/100 |
When to visit Mongolia
June–September for steppe and Gobi travel; Naadam festival is 11–13 July. Winters reach −30°C, and Ulaanbaatar smog is severe November–March.
Good to know
Entry
- Temporary visa waivers for many nationalities run until 31 December 2026; others apply for an e-Visa at evisa.mn.
- Staying over 30 days: register with the Immigration Agency within 7 days. Hotels and landlords register guests by app.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry; foreigners may only use specific land crossings with China and Russia.
- Always carry your original passport; police don't accept copies.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Don't photograph police, police escorts or soldiers.
- Border zones up to 100 km deep need a frontier guard permit.
- Buying or exporting protected wildlife parts without a licence is a crime.
Etiquette
- In a ger, don't step on the threshold and move clockwise inside.
- Accept food, drink and gifts with your right hand or both hands.
- If you bump someone's foot, shake their hand straight away.
- Don't point your feet at the stove or the family altar.
Tipping
Not traditional, but tour drivers, guides and cooks expect a tip at the end of a trip; 10% in tourist restaurants.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Mongolia e-Visa
- Immigration Agency of Mongolia
- UK FCDO travel advice: Mongolia
- Speedtest Global Index: Mongolia
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.