10 Things to Know Before Visiting Mongolia

Mongolia is one of the last truly wild places on earth — a country the size of Western Europe with a population of just 3.4 million people, most of whom live in the capital. It is extraordinary, humbling, and deeply rewarding. It is also not the easiest destination to navigate if you arrive without a clear picture of what you're walking into. These are the ten things we wish every visitor knew before they landed.

1. Check your visa situation before you book anything

Citizens of over 60 countries — including the EU, UK, USA, Japan, South Korea, and most of Southeast Asia — can enter Mongolia visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. Some nationalities (including Australia and Canada as of 2026) receive 14 days visa-free. A handful of countries still require a visa in advance from a Mongolian embassy.

If you need more than 30 days, you can extend your stay at the Immigration Agency in Ulaanbaatar (Enkhtaivan Avenue). Extensions cost around 50,000–80,000 MNT and take a few days to process. Do not overstay — fines are steep and the process of leaving becomes complicated.

Always verify your specific nationality's requirements at the official Mongolian e-Visa portal before booking flights.

2. The countryside has no roads — and that is the whole point

Mongolia has roughly 50,000 km of classified roads, but only around 4,000 km are paved. Outside of the Ulaanbaatar–Darkhan–Erdenet corridor, you are largely travelling on dirt tracks, dried riverbeds, and open steppe. GPS helps but is not always reliable — tracks split, merge, and disappear. In the Gobi, the "road" is simply the direction everyone seems to be going.

This is not a negative. It is exactly why Mongolia feels like nowhere else. But distances on a map bear no relation to travel times. What looks like 200 km can take 6–8 hours in a 4x4.

3. You need a driver — we are not exaggerating

There is no public transport network outside Ulaanbaatar. Renting a car independently is technically possible but strongly discouraged for first-time visitors — breakdowns are common, remote roadside assistance does not exist, and navigating without a local who knows the terrain is genuinely risky.

The standard way to travel is to hire a driver with their own vehicle (almost always a Russian-made UAZ minivan or a Toyota Land Cruiser). A good driver doubles as a navigator, fixer, and cultural translator. Rates range from $80–$150 USD per day depending on the route and vehicle. At eMongolia.eu, every driver we work with is vetted, English-speaking, and experienced on the specific routes we operate.

4. Cash is still king outside Ulaanbaatar

UB has ATMs, card terminals in most restaurants and hotels, and mobile payment apps (QPay, SocialPay). Once you leave the city, assume cash only. Ger camps, local family stays, petrol stations between towns, and small shops will almost always require Mongolian Tögrög (MNT).

The exchange rate as of 2026 sits around 3,400–3,500 MNT to 1 USD. Withdraw more than you think you'll need before leaving UB. There are no ATMs in the Gobi.

5. The weather will surprise you — even in summer

July is the warmest month with average highs of 22–28°C on the steppe and up to 35°C in the Gobi. It can also drop to 8°C at night at altitude and feel genuinely cold in a ger. Rain can arrive suddenly and turn dirt tracks into mud that stops even a 4x4.

Pack layers regardless of when you visit. A lightweight down jacket, waterproof shell, and merino base layers cover the full range of Mongolian summer conditions. In spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), expect cold nights and possible snow at altitude. Winter (November–March) sees temperatures as low as −40°C in parts of the country — not recommended for first-time visitors.

6. The food is meat-heavy, and it's worth embracing

Traditional Mongolian cuisine is built around mutton, beef, and horse meat — grilled, stewed, dried, or cooked in extraordinary ways like khorkhog (meat pressure-cooked with hot stones inside a sealed pot). It is rich, warming, and deeply satisfying after a day on the steppe.

Vegetarians and vegans will find Ulaanbaatar manageable — there are several dedicated restaurants. In the countryside it becomes genuinely difficult. If you have dietary restrictions, communicate them to your driver or guide before departure so alternatives can be arranged. Don't expect ger camp menus to be flexible without advance notice.

7. Mobile data works in the cities but fades fast

Mobicom and Unitel are the two main carriers with the broadest rural coverage. Both offer prepaid SIMs from around 3,000–5,000 MNT at their shops in UB. 4G is reliable throughout the capital and in most provincial centres. On routes between towns, expect to drop to 2G or lose signal entirely for hours at a stretch.

Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps offline) before you leave UB. Save key contacts locally. If you're travelling with eMongolia.eu, your driver will always have a local SIM and we also provide satellite communication options for remote expeditions.

8. Naadam Festival changes everything (for better and worse)

Naadam runs 11–13 July every year in Ulaanbaatar, celebrating Mongolia's "Three Games of Men" — horse racing, wrestling, and archery. It is one of the great cultural events in Asia and genuinely worth witnessing.

It also means hotel prices triple, accommodation books out months in advance, and the capital is chaotic. If you're visiting in July, either book UB accommodation by January at the latest, or plan to be in the countryside during Naadam and return afterwards. Many travellers catch regional Naadam events — smaller, less crowded, and often more atmospheric than the main ceremony.

9. Distances are vast and completely deceptive

Mongolia is the 18th largest country in the world. Domestic flights connect UB with Ölgii, Khovd, Mörön, and Dalanzadgad, but they are infrequent and weather-dependent.

A common first-timer mistake is planning too much. Trying to see the Gobi, Orkhon Valley, Lake Khövsgöl, and the Altai Mountains in two weeks is technically possible but not enjoyable. Pick two or three regions and spend real time in them. Mongolia rewards slowness.

10. A trusted local contact transforms the entire trip

Mongolia is not a country you can fully plan from a laptop at home. Conditions change — a bridge washes out, a ger camp closes, a festival relocates. The difference between a frustrating trip and an extraordinary one almost always comes down to having a reliable local person who knows the terrain and has relationships on the ground.

This is what eMongolia.eu exists to provide. We are based in Ulaanbaatar, we know the country intimately, and we are available 24/7 — before your trip, during it, and for anything that goes sideways.

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If you have questions about any of the above — visas, drivers, routes, timing, budget, or anything else — feel free to reach us on WhatsApp (+976 9909 5306) or by email at mugi@emongolia.eu. We reply fast and there's no obligation — we just like helping people get Mongolia right.