Mongolia

Most journeys in Mongolia begin in Ulaanbaatar (UB), a city of sharp contrasts where glass towers sit beside traditional gers and Soviet-era blocks. Give yourself at least a day or two here to adjust, gather supplies, and understand the rhythm of the country before heading into the steppe.

Start at Sükhbaatar Square, then duck into the Gandantegchinlen Monastery to see monks chanting and giant Buddha statues. For a sense of modern UB, explore the cafes and bars around Seoul Street and the State Department Store area, where you can buy anything from trekking gear to cashmere.

Traffic can be intense, so plan extra time to cross town. Taxis are common, but agree the fare in advance or ensure the meter is used. For shorter distances, ride-hailing apps work well. Staying connected helps with navigation and translation; activating a Hello eSIM before you land means you can order rides and check maps as soon as you leave the airport.

If you’re short on time, join a day trip to the Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park for your first taste of open landscapes, granite formations, and riverside gers—an easy introduction to the wild country that lies ahead.

Distances in Mongolia are huge, and outside Ulaanbaatar many roads are rough tracks rather than paved highways. Expect long driving days: 6–10 hours on the move for multi-day trips is normal. Many travellers book tours with a driver and 4x4; self-driving is possible but only for confident off-road drivers with solid navigation skills.

Domestic flights link UB with hubs like Dalanzadgad (Gobi Desert), Khovd, and Murun (for Khuvsgul Lake). These cut travel time dramatically but seats can sell out in peak summer, so book ahead. Your Hello Trip Planning tools are useful here to keep flight times, guesthouse contacts, and pickup details in one place.

Buses and shared minivans are the budget option. They are cheap but can be crowded and depart when full rather than on a strict schedule. Pack snacks, water, and downloaded maps in case signal drops on the road—even with a Hello eSIM, reception can disappear once you’re truly remote.

When you travel with friends, use Hello expense splitting to share the cost of hiring a vehicle and driver. This can make private transport surprisingly affordable compared with per-person tour prices, especially on popular routes to the Gobi or the central Orkhon Valley.

A highlight of Mongolia is spending nights in a ger (yurt), either at tourist ger camps or with nomadic families. Gers are circular felt tents warmed by a central stove; they’re cosy but basic, so bring a headlamp, warm layers, and any personal toiletries you can’t do without.

Ger camps range from simple to semi-luxury. Budget-friendly ones usually offer:

• Shared outdoor toilets and simple showers
• Set menus of hearty food (mutton, rice, noodles, salads)
• Limited electricity, often from generators or solar

Always follow local customs: don’t step on the threshold when entering a ger, accept tea or snacks with your right hand or both hands, and move clockwise around the interior. Small gifts like fruit, sweets, or photos from your trip are appreciated when staying with families.

Because many ger camps are cash-only and card machines are rare in the countryside, keep enough Mongolian tögrög (MNT) for several days. Use Hello budget tracking to log cash spending as you go; this helps you see how much you’re really using on accommodation, tips, and snacks in remote areas where ATMs may not exist.

Translation apps work better when you’re always online, so a Hello eSIM can bridge language gaps and make it easier to arrange horse rides, hikes, and onward transport with your hosts.

Mongolia is generally good value, but costs add up quickly for remote travel. In Ulaanbaatar, a simple meal in a local restaurant might be around 4,000–8,000 MNT (roughly $1.20–$2.50), while coffee in a modern cafe can be 5,000–8,000 MNT. Beer is often about 1,500–3,500 MNT in supermarkets and bars. In the countryside, prices are often bundled into tour or ger camp packages, so clarify what’s included.

Use Hello budget tracking to set a daily limit in MNT and monitor how much goes on food, transport, and activities. When sharing tours, jeeps, or big restaurant meals, Hello expense splitting makes it easy to divide costs fairly without arguing over exchange rates.

For food, try buuz (steamed dumplings), khuushuur (fried meat pastries), and tsuivan (stir-fried noodle dish). In UB, you’ll also find Korean, Japanese, Western, and vegetarian-friendly options, but in rural areas expect meat and dairy-heavy menus, often based on mutton and horse milk products. If you have dietary restrictions, learn key phrases and keep them handy in your notes or language app.

ATMs are widely available in UB but rare in small towns. Carry a mix of cash and cards, and use your always-on Hello eSIM connection to check exchange rates and find ATMs or banks before you leave the city.