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Trip Preparation

Basic Information on Mongolia

Flag: red represents fire, meaning prosperity, and blue represents the blue sky, meaning peace and eternity. The yellow design on the left is called the "Soyombo", an emblem symbolizing the nation, made up of fire, the sun, the moon, an inverted triangle (spear), rectangles (honesty), fish (prosperity and vigilance), fortress walls on left and right, and more.

Currency and Exchange Rate

The currency unit is the tugrik (Tg or MNT). Exchange rates change daily, so please check the current rate (as of October 2026). US dollars can be exchanged at exchange offices, banks and hotels in the capital Ulaanbaatar. Small amounts of leftover tugrik cannot be exchanged back. Mongolia in principle prohibits taking Mongolian currency out of the country. For details see the "Currency and Exchange" page.

How to Make Phone Calls

Public Holidays

Officially celebrated holidays are all celebrated by the new (Gregorian) calendar, except "Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)", which is celebrated by the Mongolian calendar, the Tibetan Buddhist day, and Chinggis Khaan's Day.

Unlike the lunar new year in China and elsewhere, it is decided every year by high Tibetan Buddhist monks based on the Mongolian calendar, so the date changes every year (Tsagaan Sar in 2027 is February 7).

Typical Business Hours

A two-day weekend is the norm. The following are general guides; shops and restaurants differ by establishment.

• Banks: Monday to Friday, about 9:00–18:00
• Shops, department stores: generally 9:00–18:00 (extended in summer in some cases)
• Restaurants: generally about 11:00–22:00 (lunchtime about 13:00–14:00). Even shops that are open every day mostly close for the Lunar New Year (Tsagaan Sar).
• Convenience stores: open 24 hours and almost always open every day. A strong ally for travelers too.

Voltage, Plugs, Video Format

• Voltage and plugs: 220V, 50Hz. Plug shapes are types B, B3 and C, with type C the mainstream. A universal-type outlet can take a Japanese A plug as is, but it is safest to bring a universal adapter. Most Japanese electrical appliances cannot be used without a transformer.
• Video format: When buying video software such as DVDs and Blu-rays, pay attention to the region code. The DVD region code is 2 for Japan and 5 for Mongolia. For Blu-ray, it is A for Japan and C for Mongolia. If the codes of the software and the player do not match, it cannot be played, but if either is all-region, it can be viewed.

Tipping

Generally there is no custom of tipping. At upscale restaurants and for hotel stays, a service charge is added in advance. When you receive special service or ask for something out of the ordinary, give something as a gesture (a guide is about 20,000–40,000 tugrik, the price of a simple meal).

Drinking Water

Always boil drinking water or use mineral water (tsever us) sold in shops and supermarkets. Never drink water from lakes or ponds.

Climate

A continental climate, basically dry all year round. In summer the average temperature is around 19°C and comfortable, but there are days above 30°C. Probably because of global warming, sudden rain can also occur. It turns cold suddenly, so warm clothing and rain gear are also needed. In late October temperatures fall below freezing, and from December to February there are many days of minus 20°C or lower. Spring, when winds rage and sandstorms hit, has unstable weather and is not suited to travel.

Sunrise and sunset times in Ulaanbaatar (data for the beginning of each month):

Flight Time from Japan

About 5 hours 35 minutes by direct flight from Narita International Airport (operated all year). About 4 hours 40 minutes by direct flight from Kansai International Airport (operated June to September). From Seoul to Ulaanbaatar there are daily direct flights by several airlines, so connecting at Seoul is also possible. Connecting at Beijing is another option. Flight availability changes with the season.

Time Difference

Ulaanbaatar is 1 hour behind Japan (when it is noon in Japan, it is 11:00 in Ulaanbaatar). The west is 2 hours behind. Daylight saving time was adopted in 2015 but has now been abolished.

Postal Service

• Opening hours of the Ulaanbaatar Central Post Office: Monday to Friday 8:00–20:00, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9:00–19:00
• Airmail rates to Japan: postcard 3,300, letter 3,630 tugrik. Parcels up to 1 kg 35,000 tugrik (approximate).
• Airmail to Japan takes about one week to ten days. In Mongolia there is no delivery to individual homes; parcels and EMS from Japan and other countries are held at the Central Post Office, and you go in person to collect them after receiving a phone call.

Entry and Exit

• Visa: as of October 2026, regardless of the purpose of travel, a visa is waived for short stays of up to 30 days. For long stays of more than 30 days, you must apply for and obtain a visa.
• Remaining passport validity: at least 6 months on arrival in Mongolia, and at least 2 blank pages in the visa section are needed.
• Documents needed on entry: submit a customs declaration form if required.

Foreigner Registration

If you stay in Mongolia more than 30 days, you are required to register as a foreigner at the Immigration Agency within one week of entry. Fingerprints are taken at registration. In addition, you must report to the khoroo (administrative district) office of your residence within 14 days of entry, and submit a certificate of enrollment (issued by the school or company) to the Immigration Agency within 21 days. When you return home (depart), deregistration procedures are needed. If you neglect foreigner registration and deregistration, you may be forced to postpone your departure or be fined.

Safety and Trouble

With the recent economic slump, public safety has tended to worsen. This trend has spread not only in Ulaanbaatar but also to provincial cities and tourist spots. Violent crimes such as snatching, robbery and murder occur frequently, and pickpocketing is also common in crowded places such as the zakh (market), department stores and buses. Also, in Ulaanbaatar traffic accidents have increased as the number of cars has suddenly risen. Take particular care when crossing roads.

Toilets

• Public toilets are few, so it is best to use them when you stop at hotels, restaurants, museums and so on. Convenience stores are increasing in towns, and most have a toilet attached.
• Basically, toilet paper clogs the toilet if flushed, so throw it in the special trash bin after use.
• Along the roads to tourist spots there are also roadside stations (service areas), many with flush toilets attached.
• Toilets in the countryside are often just a small hut built over a dug hole, and no toilet paper is provided, so it is a good idea to bring your own.

Mobile phone

Mongolian mobile phones use GSM, which is almost common worldwide. If you have a SIM-free smartphone, you can buy a SIM card from a local mobile carrier and use it. SIM cards are sold at mobile shops and kiosks, and prepaid ones can be topped up. Showing your passport is required to buy one. eSIM-compatible smartphones can also be used. If you use it within Mongolia, it is far cheaper than international roaming. The main mobile carriers are four: MobiCom, Unitel, G-Mobile and Skytel.

Taxes, Weights and Measures, Age Limits

• Tax: as value-added tax, 15% is added to restaurant bills, international calls and the like. No tax is charged on purchases at town shops or the zakh (market).
• Weights and measures: as in Japan, the metric system (cm, m, g, kg and so on) is used for distance and weight.
• Age limit: tobacco and alcohol are for those aged 21 and over.