Getting to Mongolia

Flights and flight tickets

Mongolia - Outer Mongolia to some - is a remote place and getting there can be a trial. Flying is by far the easiest option but, since there are only a limited number of flights from the Chinggis Khaan Airport serving Ulaanbaatar, you will almost certainly need to change airlines en-route. This is where the services of a knowledgeable travel agent pay off. Be sure you know which day is which; it is easy to get confused with the change of time zones, especially if flying from the USA, across the International Date Line.

For easy to use websites, check prices with the following at least:

• Expedia; and
• Vayama.com - International Travel Solved!

Luggage allowances

Flights from the US often have a luggage allowance of two bags. This is not standard in Europe and Asia so check that your ticket shows this allowance on all sections if you plan to take more than the otherwise standard 20 Kg (though usually you can get away with up to 24 Kg before paying an excess fee).

Our domestic flight in Mongolia has a luggage allowance of 20 Kg, and you are responsible for paying any excess. This is currently charged at about USD 3 per Kg - but, remember, you have to pay in both directions.

Flying from Europe, and all parts west

You have two main options:

1. Via Beijing: Miat¹ and Air China offer daily services (some code shares) to Beijing. It is usually possible to connect flights in the eastbound direction, and usually not when returning. Schedules do vary so get your travel agent to check. You should look at connection times in Beijing. Some are unrealistic and, even if you make it, your baggage is not always so quick. You'd hate to be left with no tackle!
2. Via Moscow: Miat¹ and Aeroflot offer services to Moscow but these do not always cover all the days, especially outside of the summer peak. If you can get one of these flights on a day that suits then the connections with Moscow and European cities are very good and you should be able to complete your journey in one day.

Please note:

¹ Miat is a Mongolian airline, code OM

Flying from the US and the East

Again, you have two main options:

1. Via Beijing: Miat¹
2. Via Seoul: Miat¹ and Korean Air offer daily services (some code shares) to Seoul². It is also worth checking with Asiana, another Korean airline with a less regular schedule. All you need to do is find a connecting flight from home to Seoul, which should be relatively easy. With an early start you may be able to complete this journey in the one day without incurring hotel costs. Even if you have to stop a night, you will (for most nationalities) be given a visa on arrival (unlike flights via Beijing), which saves time and hassle.

Please note:

¹ Miat is a Mongolian airline, code OM

² Seoul's airport is at Incheon on the coast; its code is ICN

Arriving by train

The intrepid traveller may decide to travel overland on the famous Trans-Siberian Railway (actually the Trans-Mongolian branch).

If you are considering this option it is well worth contacting one of the specialist agencies for tickets. They will have access to the latest timetables, and will be able to advise on baggage restrictions.

This classic journey takes days, and should take longer. If you do use an agency to arrange your ticket it is easy to have stopovers along the way, and even to be met by a local guide who can get you past the language hurdle. You can do a search for agency websites. One that we know is reliable is Monkey Shrine

If you are opting to travel overland one way and fly the other then it is probably best to take the train eastbound (Moscow to Ulaanbaatar). Tickets are easier to arrange and, presuming this is the start of your trip, it is good to get the long journey behind you. It also means that you won't be travelling with a whole host of souvenirs. You will need your Mongolian visa in advance, unless you plan for a stopover in Irkutsk where there is a Mongolian consular service.

It is also feasible to just complete the shorter Beijing to Ulaanbaatar section by train. Again, using an agency is recommended as tickets are scarce and you will need to be sure of your visa requirements. Tickets on this leg are only sold at the full cost to Irkutsk in Russia. This is not a scam that the agencies have created.