Mongolia Travel Guide

Getting to Ulaanbaatar

1. Get to a gateway city.
2. Fly from the gateway city to Ulaanbaatar.
3. Take a taxi or transfer to the Novotel Ulaanbaatar (30 – 45 depending on traffic).

Flights to Ulaanbaatar

Approximate return fares and flight times from the most common gateway cities into Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). Prices vary by season and booking window — use this as a starting point when comparing routes.

Return fare estimates as of September 2026.

About MIAT

MIAT Mongolian Airlines is Mongolia's flag carrier fully owned by the state. It is based at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) in Ulaanbaatar. In our experience, it is an excellent airline.

Booking Tips

1. Compare fares from your hometown to every gateway city — prices vary.
2. Try booking each leg separately (hometown → gateway city, then gateway city → Ulaanbaatar).
3. Check several travel dates; non-weekend flights are often cheaper.
4. Compare multiple booking sites: Expedia, Skyscanner, CheapoAir.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

The easiest option is booking through a tour agent or taking a taxi. You can also pre-book with our local organiser, EvenTour, via their registration form. We highly recommend them — they can also help if you run into any arrival issues. Contact: Uuree, EvenTour — [email protected].  

VISAS

Mongolia designated 2023–2026 the "Years to Visit Mongolia." Nationals of 34 countries (including 32 in Europe, plus Australia and New Zealand) are visa-exempt through the end of 2026. This is expected to be extended through 2028 but this has not been confirmed. Always confirm current requirements with your nearest Mongolian embassy or consulate.

Also check: your passport is valid for 6+ months from your entry date, and the visa rules for any countries you'll transit through. Need a supporting letter from RacingThePlanet? Just ask.

THINGS TO SEE

In and around Ulaanbaatar: Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, National History Museum, Genghis Khan Statue Complex, Hustai National Park, Genghis Khan Square, Migjid Janraisig Sum, Gandantegchenling Monastery, Zanabazar Museum of Fine Art, Zaisan Memorial, Choijin Lama Temple Museum, Bogd Khaan Palace Museum of Mongolia.

Across Mongolia: Southern Gobi Desert, Khuvsgul Lake, Terelj National Park, Orkhon Valley, Flaming Cliffs (dinosaur fossils), Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes (camel riding), Hustai National Park (wild Przewalski's horses).

PLANNING TIPS

1. Arrive a few days early if you can. It reduces stress from flight changes or delayed luggage (usually catches up within a couple of days) and gives you time to recover from the journey and acclimatise. You can leave any time on Sunday, June 29 — a later flight leaves room for post-race adventures.
2. Check your insurance. Consider a flexible ticket and coverage for flight changes, cancellations, and lost luggage.
3. Pack hard-to-replace gear in carry-on (e.g., sleeping bag, dehydrated food), in case checked bags are delayed or lost.

Recommended Tour Agent

EvenTour — our local organiser since 2018, for extra hotel nights or tours in Mongolia. Contact: Uuree — [email protected].