Mongolia Travel Tips: 15 Things to Know Before You Go

Mongolia rewards preparation more than most destinations, the payoff (empty landscapes, genuine nomadic culture, some of the darkest skies on earth) comes with a few practical realities most guidebooks gloss over. Here's what actually matters before you go.

1. Bring cash to Mongolia to exchange. Mongolian tugrik (MNT) is rarely available outside Mongolia, so bring USD and exchange it on arrival. EUR and GBP are also commonly accepted, while CNY, KRW, and JPY may be accepted at some counters. Credit cards work in Ulaanbaatar hotels and larger shops, but rural areas, ger camps, and markets are often cash-only.

2. ATMs thin out fast outside the city. Once you're on a multi-day countryside or Gobi itinerary, assume there's no ATM access until you're back in Ulaanbaatar. Budget your cash accordingly before departure.

3. Mobile coverage drops off almost entirely outside major towns. Expect solid signal in Ulaanbaatar and patchy-to-none in the Gobi and remote countryside. Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me both work well) before you leave, and tell people back home not to expect quick replies for days at a time.

4. Pack in layers, even in summer. Daytime temperatures can hit 30°C in the Gobi while nights drop into single digits, a good midlayer and warm layer matter even on a July trip.

5. Wind and dust are more of an issue than rain. A buff or scarf for dust, and a windproof (not just waterproof) outer layer, will serve you better than a heavy raincoat in most regions.

6. Bring a physical adapter and a power bank. Ger camps often run on generator power for limited hours, and outlets can be scarce, don't count on charging everything overnight.

7. Toilets outside cities are basic, plan accordingly. Long-drop or pit toilets are standard at most ger camps and rural stops. Pack your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, since neither is guaranteed to be provided.

8. Showers on multi-day countryside routes can be inconsistent. Some ger camps have hot showers, others don't, if this matters to you, we've got you covered. Just make sure to select the tourist ger camp option when booking with us and you'll be guaranteed daily shower access.

For visual references, see our guide on what to look for in a Mongolia tour operator, where you can view sample shower facilities from the camps we use.

9. Learn basic ger etiquette before your homestay. Don't step on the threshold when entering (it's considered disrespectful), accept food or drink offered with your right hand or both hands, and take a small taste even if you don't finish it.

10. Dress modestly at monasteries and temples. Covered shoulders and knees are appreciated, similar to visiting religious sites elsewhere in Asia.

11. Photograph people with permission, always. This is especially true with nomadic families, a quick gesture asking first goes a long way and is standard practice for guided tours.

12. Tipping isn't a deep-rooted local tradition, but it's expected on tours. For guides and drivers on multi-day trips, a rough guideline is $10 to $15 USD per traveler per day (split between guide and driver), though this varies by operator and trip length, ask your tour company for their specific guidance.

13. From Asia (Singapore, Seoul, and regional hubs): the most common route is a connecting flight via Seoul (Incheon) or Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, typically 8 to 10 hours total including the layover.

14. From Europe: direct or connecting options via Moscow, Istanbul, or Beijing are most common, with total travel time usually in the 10 to 14 hour range depending on your departure city and connection.

15. From the US: expect a connection through Seoul, Beijing, or Tokyo, with total travel time often 16+ hours, book flights and tour dates together early, since Mongolia-bound flight schedules are less frequent than major international routes and fill up around Naadam season (July).

What currency should I bring to Mongolia? Bring USD to exchange on arrival as Mongolian tugrik (MNT) is rarely available outside Mongolia. Credit cards are only reliably accepted in Ulaanbaatar, rural areas and ger camps are cash-only.

Is there phone signal in Mongolia? Coverage is reliable in Ulaanbaatar and largely absent in the Gobi and remote countryside, download offline maps before traveling outside the capital.

How should I dress in Mongolia? Pack in layers for large temperature swings between day and night, bring wind and dust protection, and dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) when visiting monasteries.

How do I get to Mongolia from Singapore, Europe, or the US? Most routes connect through Seoul, Beijing, Moscow, or Istanbul, since there are very few direct long-haul flights into Ulaanbaatar, expect total travel times of roughly 8 to 10 hours from Asia, 10 to 14 hours from Europe, and 16+ hours from the US.

Ready to plan your trip? Explore our Mongolia tour packages or get in touch and we'll help you plan around flights, season, and what you want to see.