East Asia
Can you drink tap water in Mongolia?
Boil itFilter or boil
Can you drink the tap water in Mongolia?
Tap water is treated, but filter or boil it. Ulaanbaatar's water is treated, but locals boil or filter it. In the countryside, treat all water.
Key facts
- Safely managed drinking water: 43% of people (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water by place in Mongolia
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ulaanbaatar | Filter or boil | Treated but locals boil or filter it. Drink bottled water in the countryside and avoid ice. |
| Gobi Desert | No, drink bottled | Do not drink tap water here. Camps supply boiled or bottled water; bring purification tablets or a filter. |
| Terelj | No, drink bottled | Do not drink tap or river water. Camps supply boiled or bottled water. |
| Lake Khuvsgul | No, drink bottled | Do not drink untreated lake or tap water. Camps boil water; bring a filter or purification tablets for treks. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- 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 Spotted something out of date?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.