• How to get to Mongolia?
• What are the national holidays?
• Which time zone Mongolia is located in?
• Are there taxis available?
• Can I call home from Mongolia?
• What is Mongolian currency?
• Are the medical services available?
• What type of wall-plug is used in Mongolia?

Access to Mongolia

By Air

The majority of visitors arrive in Mongolia by air through Buyant Ukhaa International Airport located 18 kms to the southwest of Ulaanbaatar. Been reconstructed in 1990, immigration and customs formalities as well as luggage delivery are very prompt. The international air transport is operated by MIAT, Aeroflot, Korean Airlines and Air China. Japanese Airlines and All Nippon Airways have recently started operating new charter flights between Japan and Mongolia during summer tourist season.

Possibilities to get to Mongolia from Europe by air:

1. from Europe to Moscow and to Ulaanbaatar with AEROFLOT (Russian Airline)
2. from Europe to Beijing with the major foreign companies and then to Ulaanbaatar with MIAT (Mongolian Airlines) or AIR CHINA (Chinese Airline)
3. from Berlin to Ulaanbaatar direct with MIAT (OM)
4. from Frankfurt to Ulaanbaatar direct with MIAT (OM)
   

Travellers from the USA are recommended to go through the Asian gateways.

Gateways to enter Mongolia from Asian countries:

1. Beijing, China
2. Osaka, Japan
3. Seoul, Korea

MIAT Mongolian Airlines, the national flag carrier of Mongolia, which is responsible for 95% of all air transportation in Mongolia, operates scheduled flights to overseas destinations such as Moscow, Beijing, Berlin, Irkutsk, Hoh hot, Seoul, and Osaka using a fleet of various aircrafts: Airbus, Boeing B727-200 and Antonov (AN24, AN26, AN30)

By Train
Trans Mongolian Railway operates some 1,110 kilometers of "Trans-Mongolian Main Line" (inside Mongolia). Dating back to 1938, the Trans Mongolian runs from Russian border via Ulaanbaatar to the Chinese border. Exploring Mongolia following the rail lines of the legendary Trans Mongolian and Trans Siberian Railways is more than a simple way of transportation, it is an expedition in itself. Total distance by rail from Beijing to St Petersburg is 7,925 km. Travellers can join in Moscow (or St Petersburg) or in Beijing (or Hong Kong and Hanoi). There are usually nine compartments in each carriage with four berths in each (twin-share rail compartments are available for a supplementary price).

Mongolian National Holidays

Mid-February - Mongolian New Year (Tsagaan Sar) June 1 - Mother and Children's Day July 11, 12, 13 - National Day and Naadam Festival November 26 - Independence Day

Time

Difference between GMT and Ulaanbaatar time is + 8 hours.

Taxi

There are many official taxi companies operating in Ulaanbaatar.

Communication

International Direct Dial (IDD) phone calls are available from hotels in main cities and post offices in country-side. Country code for Mongolia is 976 and the area code for Ulaanbaatar is 11.
Internet access is also available.

Currency

The basic monetary unit in Mongolia is TUGRUG, which is equal to 100 mungu. At the present, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1 tugrug notes are in circulation. Commercial banks in Ulaanbaatar and province centers are the official organizations authorized to exchange foreign currency. They have network of branches in Ulaanbaatar and exchange bureaus at main hotels.

Medical Services

Medical services are available everywhere. All necessary expenses connected with any medical treatment have to be paid by the patient.

Electric Current

The standard voltage in Mongolia is 220 volts/50Hz. Sockets require a European type plug or adapter.