What awaits travelers in Mongolia?
Mongolia is one of the most sparsely populated countries on Earth: nearly half of its roughly 3.5 million inhabitants live in Ulaanbaatar, the country's only international airport location and starting point for practically every trip. From there, routes lead into the steppes and monasteries of the Orkhon Valley or into the dunes and rock formations of the Gobi Desert in the south.
A classic trip combines two to three days in Ulaanbaatar, with monasteries, museums and the nearby equestrian statue of Chinggis Khaan, with a multi-day tour into the Gobi Desert or the central Mongolian steppe, usually by 4x4 with overnight stays in ger camps.
This page summarizes Ulaanbaatar, the best time to visit, entry requirements (as of September 2026), health advice and the guidance from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and BMEIA.
What is Mongolia like as a travel destination?
Mongolia is a country of vast open space: at around 1.56 million km², it is more than 37 times the size of Switzerland, yet has few paved roads outside the main routes. Those wanting to experience the steppe and desert beyond Ulaanbaatar almost always travel with an experienced local guide, since distances, weather and limited communication infrastructure place high demands on travelers.
Ulaanbaatar itself is a city of contrasts: high-rises, a growing café and nightlife district, and multi-lane roads meet ger districts on the city's edges, where, according to the FDFA and the Federal Foreign Office, an estimated 60% of the city's population lives in traditional round tents heated with coal.
Nomadic pastoralism still shapes the country today: a large part of the population outside Ulaanbaatar lives a seasonally migratory life herding horses, sheep, goats, cattle and camels, which is reflected in dairy products, felt crafts and the three traditional Naadam competitions.
Mongolia borders only Russia and China and has no access to the sea; the landscape ranges from taiga in the north through steppe and lakes in the middle to the Gobi Desert in the south, with an average elevation of around 1,580 m above sea level.
What can you see in Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding area?
Ulaanbaatar brings together the Buddhist monastery Gandantegchinlen, the central Sükhbaatar Square with the National Museum, and the lively café and arts district around Peace Avenue. About 54 km east of the city stands the 40 m tall equestrian statue of Chinggis Khaan, the largest statue of its kind in the world.
Ulaanbaatar
The Gandantegchinlen monastery, dating from the early 19th century, is the country's most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery and houses a roughly 26 m tall gilded statue of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara; monks continue to hold daily ceremonies there.
The National Museum of Mongolia on Sükhbaatar Square traces the country's history from the Bronze Age through the Mongol Empire under Chinggis Khaan to the socialist era and democratization in 1990; the square itself is lined with government buildings and an equestrian statue of Chinggis Khaan.
The ger districts on the city's outskirts show the other side of Ulaanbaatar: traditional round tents without continuous connection to the power, water and district heating networks, whose coal heating contributes significantly to the city's sometimes extreme air pollution in winter.
Tsonjin Boldog
The 40 m tall stainless-steel equestrian statue of Chinggis Khaan in Tsonjin Boldog was erected in 2008 for the 800th anniversary of the founding of the empire and is the tallest equestrian statue in the world; an elevator leads up into the horse's head, from where the surrounding steppe can be viewed.
Orkhon Valley and Kharkhorin
About 380 km west of Ulaanbaatar lies the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, with the former Mongol Empire capital of Kharkhorin (Karakorum) and the Erdene Zuu monastery, the country's oldest Buddhist monastery, partly built from the stones of the destroyed city.
Gobi Desert
The Gobi in the south is mostly stone and gravel desert rather than classic sand dunes, with exceptions such as the dunes of Khongoryn Els. The usual starting point is Dalanzadgad, about 580 km south of Ulaanbaatar, reachable by domestic flight in around 1.5 hours or by vehicle in 7 to 10 hours; most travelers overnight in ger camps along the way.
Near Dalanzadgad lies Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park ("Three Beauties of the Gobi"), named after three mountain ranges and protected since 1965; besides the Khongoryn Els dunes, it also includes the rock gorge Yolyn Am, where ice persists in shaded sections into early summer. Further west are the red Flaming Cliffs at Bayanzag, where researchers discovered the first dinosaur eggs in the 1920s.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
When is the best time to visit Mongolia?
June to September is considered the main travel season, with the warmest and driest conditions in July and the nationwide Naadam festival in mid-month. With lows regularly below −25 °C, winter is one of the coldest anywhere in the world for a capital region and is only suitable for most travelers to a limited extent.
| Ulaanbaatar | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -15 | -10 | 1 | 10 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 17 | 8 | -5 | -14 |
| Low °C | -32 | -29 | -16 | -6 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 1 | -9 | -21 | -29 |
| Rainfall mm | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 29 | 48 | 68 | 61 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 4 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CHINGGIS KHAAN INTL / BUYANT UKHAA INTL (14 km, 1330 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Ulaanbaatar reaches highs of around 25 °C in July with comparatively low precipitation of about 68 mm; from November to February, lows remain consistently below −20 °C, averaging around −32 °C in January. The shoulder months of May and September offer milder temperatures with fewer tourists, though nights can already turn noticeably cold.
Mongolia lies in one of the driest inhabited regions in the world; precipitation is concentrated in the summer months of June to August, while autumn and winter remain almost entirely dry.
The three-day Naadam festival with wrestling, archery and horse racing takes place every year around 11 to 13 July, with horse races sometimes lasting until 14 July; around this festival, flights and accommodation in Ulaanbaatar are in much higher demand than usual.
Ger camps outside Ulaanbaatar usually open only in May and close again in October, since water supply and access roads are not maintained continuously through winter; those traveling outside these months need to plan their route around fixed accommodation in larger towns instead.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
What do you need to enter Mongolia?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals can enter for tourist stays of up to 30 days without a visa, but must register online within 48 hours of arrival, which hotels usually handle for their guests. Anyone staying longer than 30 days or traveling for another reason needs a visa from a Mongolian mission.
- Switzerland, Germany, Austria: visa-free for up to 30 days for tourist purposes; the passport must remain valid for at least 6 months on entry.
- Registration requirement: online within 48 hours of arrival, usually handled by the hotel or host; for self-arranged accommodation or private stays, it is the traveler's own responsibility.
- Stays over 30 days: additional registration with the Foreign Citizens' Bureau in Ulaanbaatar within 7 days of arrival is required; a visa must be applied for in advance.
- Other nationalities: different rules apply; the relevant Mongolian embassy or consulate in the country of residence is authoritative.
Border crossings are only possible at select, official crossing points and, according to the FDFA, can be closed at short notice, among other reasons due to livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease; anyone planning an overland border crossing should check the route in good time before departure.
The current information from the FDFA, Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA and the Mongolian immigration authority at the time of travel is authoritative; the visa-free arrangement for numerous countries has been extended several times in recent years, but always for a limited period.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
What vaccinations and health precautions does Mongolia require?
No vaccination is required for entry from Europe, and according to healthytravel.ch there is no malaria risk. Recommended are the standard vaccinations per the Swiss immunization schedule, hepatitis A for all travelers, and a pre-exposure rabies vaccination for travelers with contact to dogs or other animals, since infected dogs are, according to the CDC, widespread.
According to the CDC, plague occurs among wild marmots in 17 of Mongolia's 21 provinces; hunting marmots and eating their meat is explicitly discouraged, even though this is traditionally common.
Outside Ulaanbaatar, medical care is, according to the Federal Foreign Office, very limited, which means even minor accidents in remote regions can become serious. Travel and repatriation insurance with evacuation coverage is strongly recommended, since there is no social security agreement with Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
In the winter half of the year, Ulaanbaatar ranks, according to IQAir, among the cities with the worst air quality in the world, with particulate matter levels exceeding the WHO guideline by an average of 8 to 14 times; travelers with respiratory conditions should avoid this season or plan for protective masks.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
How safe is Mongolia for travelers?
The FDFA, Federal Foreign Office and BMEIA consider Mongolia a fundamentally safe but, for independent travelers, demanding country. Pickpocketing in crowds and occasional muggings after dark occur mainly in Ulaanbaatar, while outside the city, risks from distance, weather and poor road conditions predominate.
According to the FDFA, sporadic political demonstrations are possible and should be avoided; otherwise the security situation is considered stable throughout the country. Women are advised to pay particular attention to personal safety in the evening and in busy areas.
Outside Ulaanbaatar, the Federal Foreign Office is explicit: trips into the steppe and desert should only be undertaken with an experienced local guide, overnight overland drives should be avoided, and horseback riding and water sports carry elevated injury risk without suitable equipment and supervision.
Mongolia lies in an earthquake-prone zone; in winter, snowstorms (dzud) can cut off entire regions from the outside world, which further complicates planning overland trips during that season.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How do you get to Mongolia and travel around the country?
International flights land exclusively at Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN), opened in 2021 about 52 km south of Ulaanbaatar, the country's only international airport. The national carrier MIAT Mongolian Airlines flies nonstop to Frankfurt several times a week, with other connections via Seoul, Istanbul, Beijing or Moscow.
| Route | Mode of transport | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chinggis Khaan Airport – Ulaanbaatar center | Airport bus or taxi | around 45–60 min |
| Ulaanbaatar – Chinggis Khaan equestrian statue (Tsonjin Boldog) | Car | around 1 h |
| Ulaanbaatar – Kharkhorin/Orkhon Valley | Car | around 6–7 h |
| Ulaanbaatar – Dalanzadgad (Gobi) | Domestic flight | around 1.5 h |
| Ulaanbaatar – Dalanzadgad (Gobi) | Car | around 7–10 h |
MIAT Mongolian Airlines connects Ulaanbaatar nonstop with Frankfurt several times a week and also offers connections via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines; from Berlin, Vienna or Zurich, travelers usually continue via a European or Asian hub.
Within Asia, the connection to Seoul-Incheon, with daily flights by Korean Air and Asiana, is the densest; other regional connections include Beijing, Hong Kong and Istanbul. The historic Trans-Mongolian Railway also connects Ulaanbaatar with Russia to the north and China to the south, though with far longer travel times than by air.
Outside Ulaanbaatar, paved roads are the exception; overland tours are practically always done in 4x4 vehicles with a local guide, since tracks, river crossings and changing weather make independent driving difficult.
Sources: Wikipedia
What money do you need in Mongolia and how do you pay?
The national currency is the Mongolian tögrög (₮, MNT). In Ulaanbaatar, card payment is common in hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets, while outside the capital and in ger camps, payment is made almost exclusively in cash.
ATMs accepting international cards are found in Ulaanbaatar at bank branches and shopping centers; outside the capital they are rare to nonexistent, so travelers should stock up on sufficient cash beforehand for multi-day tours into the steppe or Gobi.
US dollars or euros can be exchanged for tögrög in Ulaanbaatar at banks and official exchange offices; exchanging money on the street or with unofficial vendors is not advisable due to the risk of fraud.
Tipping was traditionally uncommon in Mongolia but is increasingly accepted due to growing tourism in Ulaanbaatar; it is not obligatory, but 5 to 10% has become customary in restaurants with an international clientele.
Sources: CLEARSKIES
Where is the best place to stay in Mongolia?
In Ulaanbaatar, the hotel offering is concentrated around Sükhbaatar Square and Peace Avenue, with short distances to museums, restaurants and the Gandantegchinlen monastery. Outside the capital, most travelers stay in ger camps, seasonally operated facilities with traditional round tents and mostly shared bathroom facilities.
Ger camps range from simple, family-run operations to more comfortable options with a private bathroom; many open only between May and October, and outside this season the selection in the steppe is markedly limited.
In the Gobi Desert, ger camps are usually located near the main attractions such as the dunes of Khongoryn Els or the Flaming Cliffs at Bayanzag; a pre-organized tour with a fixed route and chain of accommodation is the usual way to travel in this remote region.
What do people eat in Mongolia?
Mongolian cuisine is strongly shaped by meat and dairy products, with filled dumplings (buuz, khuushuur) and mutton or beef dishes as its staples. In Ulaanbaatar, a growing international restaurant scene supplements the traditional offering.
Buuz, steamed dumplings filled with minced meat, are considered the national dish and are prepared in large quantities especially for the New Year festival Tsagaan Sar; khuushuur, the fried version, is also common at Naadam festivals.
In the steppe and countryside, dairy products such as fermented mare's milk (airag), dried curd (aaruul) and milk tea with salt form a large part of the everyday diet; travelers with a sensitive stomach are advised to acclimatize gradually.
According to healthytravel.ch, tap water should not be drunk; bottled water is readily available in Ulaanbaatar but should be carried in advance for multi-day tours into the steppe, since resupply along the way is not guaranteed.
What culture and festivals shape Mongolia?
Nomadic pastoralism and Tibetan Buddhist faith continue to shape Mongolia's cultural identity today, even though most of the population now lives in Ulaanbaatar. The largest festivals are the three-day Naadam in July, with wrestling, archery and horse racing, and the Mongolian New Year festival Tsagaan Sar in winter.
Inside a ger, fixed rules of behavior apply: you enter with your right foot first, do not step on the threshold, and move clockwise around the central stove; as a guest, you are traditionally served milk tea and small snacks, and declining them is considered impolite.
Naadam takes place every year from 11 to 13 July, with the horse races sometimes extended to 14 July; the festival is celebrated nationwide, the largest programme takes place in the National Stadium in Ulaanbaatar and also attracts many international visitors.
Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian lunar New Year festival, is usually celebrated in February; families visit one another, exchange gifts and eat large quantities of buuz, making the festival one of the most sociable times of the Mongolian year.
What experiences are worthwhile in Mongolia?
Highlights include the equestrian statue of Chinggis Khaan, the Gandantegchinlen monastery in Ulaanbaatar, a multi-day tour into the Gobi Desert, and a stay with a nomadic family offering insight into horseback riding, dairy processing and life in a ger. Those traveling at the right time can add the Naadam festival in July.
Ulaanbaatar
A visit to the Gandantegchinlen monastery in the early morning shows monks at their daily prayer ceremonies; the State Department Store offers an unassuming glimpse into everyday life in the capital, away from the classic sights.
Steppe and Gobi
Horseback excursions with nomadic families can usually be arranged as a day tour or a multi-day route from Ulaanbaatar; the Federal Foreign Office explicitly recommends a helmet and tested saddle equipment, since the risk of injury is higher without this gear.
In the Gobi Desert, the sand dunes of Khongoryn Els and the rock gorge Yolyn Am with its residual ice are among the best-known destinations; both can be built into a multi-day round trip from Ulaanbaatar.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
How do you travel responsibly in Mongolia?
Mongolia's grassland landscape is ecologically sensitive; vehicles should stick to existing tracks rather than cutting new ones through the steppe, since vegetation in this dry region recovers only slowly. A stay with a nomadic family should be arranged through an organized, fairly paid tour rather than as an unannounced visit.
- Use existing vehicle tracks instead of driving new ones through untouched steppe.
- Avoid hunting and eating marmots because of the plague risk.
- Book ger camps and nomadic family stays through reputable, locally rooted providers rather than unarranged spontaneous visits.
- Behave quietly in monasteries such as Gandantegchinlen and Erdene Zuu during ceremonies and observe photography rules.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
What countries can Mongolia be combined with?
The most obvious choice is China, reachable via the Trans-Mongolian Railway or flights from Ulaanbaatar, followed by South Korea via the daily flight connection to Seoul-Incheon. Russia can also be connected via the rail line to the north.
To Beijing there are both direct flights and the historic train connection of the Trans-Mongolian Railway, which takes around 30 hours depending on the train category and has a travel value of its own.
Daily nonstop flights by Korean Air and Asiana serve Seoul-Incheon; the route is well suited to combining a trip through the Mongolian steppe with a city stay in East Asia.
Who is Mongolia suited for, and who less so?
Mongolia suits adventurous travelers interested in open space, nomadic culture and little-developed nature, who are also willing to accept simpler accommodation and long drives. It is less suited to anyone expecting continuous comfort, short distances or a dense tourist infrastructure outside the capital.
Travelers interested in horseback riding, photography and night skies free of light pollution will find an environment in the steppe and Gobi that is hardly comparable to anywhere in Europe. For rail enthusiasts, too, the Trans-Mongolian route is a destination in its own right.
Those with little time or who depend on continuous comfort should know that overland routes take several hours to days, and medical care outside Ulaanbaatar is limited. In winter, the country is less suitable for most travelers because of the extreme cold and air pollution in Ulaanbaatar.