East Asia
Money, cards and tipping in Mongolia
MNTTugrik
Money in Mongolia
Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in most Ulaanbaatar shops, restaurants and hotels; carry tugrik cash for markets, rural shops and nomad homestays. US$1 ≈ ₮3,636.87 (03 Oct 2026).
Key facts
- Tipping: Not traditional, but tour drivers, guides and cooks expect a tip at the end of a trip; 10% in tourist restaurants.
- ATMs: Khan Bank and Golomt Bank ATMs accept foreign cards; fees vary by bank. Few ATMs outside provincial centres.
- Paying by phone: Local QR wallets (QPay, SocialPay) need a Mongolian account; foreign contactless cards work widely in Ulaanbaatar.
- Price level: about 34% of US prices (World Bank PPP).
Cash or card, by place
| Place | Cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ulaanbaatar | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards work in shops, restaurants and hotels in the city; carry tugrik cash for markets, taxis and rural trips. |
| Gobi Desert | Mostly cash | Bring enough tugrik cash from Ulaanbaatar; ATMs are only in Dalanzadgad and a few towns. Cards rarely work in camps. |
| Terelj | Mostly cash | Camps often take cash only; bring tugrik. Cards work at a few large lodges. |
| Lake Khuvsgul | Mostly cash | Bring tugrik from Ulaanbaatar or Murun; ATMs are rare in Khatgal and cards rarely work in camps. |
Quick answers
Do you tip in Mongolia?
Not traditional, but tour drivers, guides and cooks expect a tip at the end of a trip; 10% in tourist restaurants.
Is Mongolia cashless?
Mixed: cards and cash. Cards work in most Ulaanbaatar shops, restaurants and hotels; carry tugrik cash for markets, rural shops and nomad homestays.
What currency does Mongolia use?
The Tugrik (MNT). US$1 ≈ ₮3,636.87 (03 Oct 2026).
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- 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
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.