馃悗 Mongolia

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 34% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Your passport decides which visa rules apply, so before you book, consult the nearest Mongolian embassy and the official e-Visa system of Mongolia. Where a visa is needed, start early, as processing takes days. Travellers are typically asked for an onward ticket, proof of accommodation and a passport that stays valid for 6 months. Rely solely on official sites.

Culture and practical - take note

The country is vast, rugged and nomadic in character. Inside a ger (yurt), enter only when invited, avoid stepping on the threshold or leaning against the central support poles, and take any food or drink in your right hand, touching the cup, whether or not you drink. Keep your feet from pointing at the stove or altar. Walk clockwise three times around a sacred stone pile (ovoo). Show respect for Chinggis Khaan, a national hero. Beyond Ulaanbaatar the roads are often unpaved, so hire a guide or driver, and avoid going off-road alone. Summers are short, while winters are extremely cold, at -30 C and below. Outside the capital you will need cash, in tugrik. Halal food is limited anywhere other than the Muslim Kazakh west, so ask in advance. The main festival is Naadam, held in July.

Emergency

Police 102. Fire 101. Ambulance 103.

Good to know

Currency, cards and rural cash

The currency is the tugrik, says Canadian advice. US dollars and credit cards are accepted at hotels and some restaurants, mainly in Ulaanbaatar, and the advice is to carry local currency, especially in rural areas.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, photography and ID

UK advice says possessing or using any drug, cannabis included, is prohibited, and traffickers could face a life sentence. It also says photographing or filming police, police escorts or military personnel is illegal. Both UK and Canadian advice tell visitors to carry ID at all times; the UK says police do not accept copies of a passport. UK advice says same-sex relationships are not illegal but not generally accepted socially.

Taxis and scams

Licensed taxis and apps

When hailing a ride, only licensed taxis should be used, UK travel advice says, citing VIP Taxis as an example, or else the trackable taxi app UBCab; it also suggests asking a hotel, restaurant or club to arrange a car. Canadian advice recommends licensed taxis with meters, calls shared taxis unreliable, and reports that taxi drivers have robbed passengers.

Fake police officers

Foreigners have been robbed by people posing as police officers, particularly around Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar, according to Canadian travel advice. If someone approaches you, ask to see police credentials or offer to go to the police station instead. UK advice adds that pickpockets operate in markets and crowded places, and that groups, including children, sometimes harass pedestrians for money.

Who can help

local government

Mongolia tourist hotline (Government of Mongolia tourism site)

Helps with: The government's official tourism site lists a tourist hotline, along with police 102, ambulance 103 and fire 101.

Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors in Mongolia.

Phone: +976 1900 1234

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Helps with: Mongolia's national emergency management agency. Its contact page lists emergency calls 101 and 105 and an office line and email for other enquiries.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Mongolia affected by an emergency or disaster.

Phone: 51-263581

Email: info@nema.gov.mn

Address: 6th khoroo, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Mongolian Red Cross Society

Helps with: Mongolia's national Red Cross society. It runs first aid courses, disaster preparedness training, volunteer programmes and blood donation work.

Who qualifies: People in Mongolia who need its first aid, disaster or community services.

Phone: +976 77770508

Email: info@redcross.mn

Address: Peace Avenue (Enkhtaivan Street), Red Cross head office building, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mongolia

Helps with: The UN migration agency, with an office in Ulaanbaatar since 2011. It supports migration management, research and anti-trafficking training.

Who qualifies: Migrants and the government bodies that serve them. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +976 7014 3100

Address: United Nations House, Room 207, United Nations Street 12, Sukhbaatar District, 14201 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Police emergency number 102

Helps with: Reaches the police, including traffic police. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 102

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Ambulance emergency number 103

Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 103

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Fire emergency number 101

Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 101

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Ulaanbaatar UlaanbaatarTravellers arrive in this capital and can visit Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum and Gandan Monastery prior to leaving for the countryside.Photo: Zazaa Mongolia, CC BY-SA 4.0 Gorkhi-Terelj National Park Gorkhi-Terelj National ParkGranite rocks (Turtle Rock among them), horse riding and ger camp stays draw people to this park, an easy trip from the capital.Photo: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0 Gobi Desert Gobi DesertIn the south, this desert offers the Khongor sand dunes, rides on Bactrian camels, and the Flaming Cliffs, a site for dinosaur fossils.Photo: Christopher Michel from San Francisco, USA, CC BY 2.0 Kharkhorin (Karakorum) Kharkhorin (Karakorum)The scenic Orkhon Valley and Erdene Zuu Monastery are nearby here, where the capital of the old Mongol Empire once stood.Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC0 Lake Khuvsgul Lake KhuvsgulForest and mountains surround this clear northern lake, where visitors go boating, horse riding and meet reindeer herders.Photo: Alex Ang, CC BY-SA 3.0

City selection based on: Mongolian tour-operator destination guides and travel guides (no official city-level statistics found)

Festivals and events

culture

Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)

around Feb 2027 路 Ulaanbaatar

Many places stay shut for several days during this family holiday for the new year.

culture

Naadam Festival

11-15 Jul 2027 路 Ulaanbaatar

This is Mongolia's biggest festival, with archery, horse racing and wrestling.

culture

Golden Eagle Festival

around Oct 2027 路 Bayan-Olgii

Western Mongolia is where Kazakh eagle hunters take part in a competition.

culture

Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)

around Jan 2028 路 Ulaanbaatar

Many places stay shut for several days during this family holiday for the new year.