Getting Around Mongolia: A Practical Transport Guide

Trains and the Trans-Mongolian Railway

Mongolia's rail network is small but iconic. The Trans-Mongolian Railway runs through Ulaanbaatar, linking Russia and China, and is a memorable way to arrive or leave. Domestically, the most useful line connects Ulaanbaatar to Darkhan, Sukhbaatar, and Zamiin-Uud on the Chinese border. Trains are slow but cheap and scenic. Buy tickets at Ulaanbaatar railway station or via the UBTZ counters a day or two ahead, especially in summer.

Getting around Ulaanbaatar

The capital has no metro, so buses are the backbone of city transport. Pay with a U Money (U Mooney) smart card, which you tap when boarding; single rides cost roughly 500-700 MNT. Buses are frequent but extremely crowded at rush hour, and signage is in Cyrillic only.

• Buses cover most of the city for under 1,000 MNT
• Avoid driving downtown during the morning and evening gridlock
• Keep small change and your card topped up

Taxis and ride apps

Ulaanbaatar has few official taxis, so locals flag down any private car. For tourists, apps are safer and clearer. UBCab is the main ride-hailing app, and many drivers also use it informally. Fares run around 1,200-1,500 MNT per kilometre. Always confirm the price or that the meter is running before you set off.

Car and driver hire

Renting a self-drive car is uncommon and not recommended outside the city, as roads in the countryside are often unpaved tracks with no signs. Most travellers hire a 4x4 with a driver, typically a Russian UAZ van or a Toyota Land Cruiser, through a Ulaanbaatar tour operator. Expect to budget around 150,000-250,000 MNT per day including fuel, which is excellent value when split among a group heading to the Gobi or Khovsgol.

Intercity travel

For long distances, you have three main options:

• Shared minivans and buses leave from the Dragon bus terminal in western Ulaanbaatar to provincial capitals like Kharkhorin, Murun, and Dalanzadgad. They are cheap but slow and depart when full.
• Domestic flights with Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia reach far-flung aimags such as Khovd and Ulaangom, saving days of driving.
• Hired jeeps remain the only practical way to reach remote national parks.

Distances are huge and a 'road' may simply be a faint track across the steppe, so always carry water, snacks, and a paper backup of your route.

Stay connected in Mongolia

A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online for offline maps, translation, and booking transport even far out on the steppe, with no roaming bills. Activate it before you land so you are connected the moment you arrive.