Visa to Mongolia
Citizens of Russia do not need a visa to visit Mongolia. But it is still worthwhile to issue a medical insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip in advance.
- Can a child go to Mongolia without parents
Customs
Import of foreign currency is possible in an amount not exceeding 2000 USD. It is recommended to declare the currency, since its export is possible only within the amount indicated upon entry. It is allowed to import and export Mongolian tugriks without additional documents in the amount of no more than 815 MNT; if this amount is exceeded (which is unlikely to happen, since tugriks are not useful anywhere in the world), you will need to provide documents confirming the legality of acquiring the national currency.
Duty-free you can import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of wine and 3 liters of beer, goods for personal use in the amount of not more than 1000 USD per person. Photo, film and video equipment is imported in the amount of 1 piece of each item.
The import of drugs, psychotropic drugs and explosives, weapons and ammunition, samples of animal and plant tissues, as well as pornography is prohibited. When exporting, it is necessary to present to the customs office furs and skins, gold, precious metals and precious stones, as well as items of cultural or artistic value. The cost of each item should not exceed 500 USD; if this amount is exceeded, a duty from 10% to 100% must be paid.
The national dish of the Mongols – “boodog” is a lamb fried from the inside with hot stones.
Transport
You can move around Mongolia by intercity buses, trains and planes. Renting all-wheel drive jeeps with a driver is popular. Travelers can also use more exotic means of transport, from bicycles and motorcycles to horses. Public transport runs mainly between Ulaanbaatar and major cities in the country; if you need to travel from one locality to another, you will almost certainly need to transfer in the capital. Most of the buses are of the old Soviet type. Modern minivans serve Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan and Erdenet. Buses depart from the bus station, where you need to buy tickets (you will need a passport), which indicate the baggage allowance. You will be asked to pay for the excess. There is a schedule, and Mongolian drivers try to follow it.
By train you can get from Ulaanbaatar to Darkhan, Sukhbaatar and Erdenet. The Mongolian railways did not develop without the participation of the Soviets, so the division of cars into classes is known: compartments, reserved seats and seats. Comfort is the most basic thing, besides, the MRR often sell “extra” tickets for sold-out destinations. It is better to buy tickets in advance, especially from June to August. When buying, you will be asked to show your passport.
You can also travel by plane in Mongolia: there are 44 airports in the country, of which, however, only 12 have designed runways. Air tickets are relatively inexpensive, however, the difference in price for the local population and foreigners is still significant. The national air carriers are Mongolian Airlines (MIAT), AeroMongolia (the most popular) and Ez Nis.
For avid motorcycle racers, Mongolia is a real paradise: you just want to ride at high speed on perfectly flat steppes. The hospitality of the Mongols relieves the hardships of a nomadic motorcycle life: wherever you stay, you are guaranteed to be provided with a table and shelter.
Riding tours are another highlight of Mongolian tourism. Local residents, as they say, were born in the saddle and are able to ride long distances on horseback without getting tired. Those wishing to follow their example should remember that traditional saddles are wooden, and it is better to clarify this detail before starting the journey. For foreign tourists, familiar leather saddles can be provided upon request.
Rent a Car
To rent a car in Mongolia, you will need a valid driver’s license, a credit card or cash for a deposit and an amount of at least 80 USD per day. It is generally not recommended to rent a car – it is difficult to find a new car, in addition, there will most likely be several accidents in the “history” of the vehicle. In addition, the roads often leave much to be desired, especially in spring and autumn, since most of them are unpaved. There is also a great danger of getting lost. The best way out is to rent a jeep with a local driver. Rent will cost from 90 USD per day. The prices on the page are for December 2021.
Climate of Mongolia
The climate of Mongolia is sharply continental, with frosty winters and hot dry summers. In Ulaanbaatar, the average temperature in January is -25…-30 °C, and in July it is almost the same, only with a different sign: +27…+32 °C. Most of the precipitation falls in the north and northwest of the country, the southern regions and, in particular, the Gobi Desert may not see rain for several years. See Citypopulationreview for weather information.
Mongolia is often called the “Land of the Blue Sky”, and this is not just a beautiful epithet: there are more than 260 sunny days a year.
In general, the most favorable time to visit the country is from mid-May to October, with the peak season in July-August. In September-October it is good to travel around the Gobi – the heat of the day subsides, and the nights are not too cold yet.
In early spring and late autumn in Mongolia, you can feel all four seasons during the day: the weather changes rapidly, and you have to change from a T-shirt to a jacket and back several times a day.
See also the current weather forecast in Mongolia.
