Organize your stay Mongolia
Money Mongolia
The Mongolian currency is called the tugrik, or tögrök, which is written as "T" or, more rarely, "Tg". The banking system also uses "MNT". The currency in circulation is only in the form of banknotes, on which the national heroes Chinggis Khaan or Sükhbaatar on one side, and landscapes with ger and horses on the other. The banknotes are T10, T20, T50, T100, T500, T1,000, T5,000, T10,000 and T20,000. There are no coins.
Some tourist establishments display their prices in U.S. dollars to avoid the sometimes unstable inflation in the country.
Tögrög, euro or U.S. dollar? This guide indicates several times the prices of some establishments or travel agencies in U.S. dollars, and for a simple reason: the world of tourism in Mongolia (ger camps, travel agencies, hotels ...) often displays prices in U.S. dollars to avoid having to take into account the inflation, sometimes unstable, that the country is experiencing. In this guide, Petit Futé transcribes the prices as they are presented to the public, sometimes in tögrög (T), sometimes in dollars (US$) and sometimes even in euros (€).
Budget & Tips Mongolia
By exchanging euros for tugriks, any visitor can quickly become a millionaire. Life in Mongolia is not very expensive when you earn a western salary. The food is not very expensive: you can easily eat for 6 000 T in a guanz and make a gastronomic meal for 30 000 T.
Small budget : 30 €/day: this budget is very tight for those who want to discover the Mongolian countryside in depth. It imposes to use the few local means of transportation, not to go through an agency, to eat in the guanz and to camp most of the time or to take low-end guesthouses.
Average budget : 100 €/day: this budget allows to travel in Mongolia in small group, via a travel agency which provides driver, guide, accommodation and food.
Big budget : 250 €/day: with such a budget, we can organize a customized trip. It is possible to sleep in good hotels, to take the plane to go from one end of the country to the other and to rent the services of a private guide and driver.
Passport and visas Mongolia
Mongolia recently introduced an online visa system, valid for tourist stays of less than 30 days. To obtain a visa, you need to apply via the following website: www.evisa.mn. It costs around 50 euros. In addition to a passport valid for more than six months after the return date and a passport photo, you'll need to provide round-trip tickets, a hotel reservation, proof of travel insurance and proof of funds. For further information, please consult the website of the Mongolian Embassy in France: https://paris.embassy.mn/frn/index.php.
Please note: from 2023 to 2025, visitors from certain countries, including France, will be exempt from the tourist visa requirement. Visas are therefore no longer required to visit the country.
Driver's license Mongolia
In order to drive in Mongolia, you must present both your French driving license and the international driving license. The latter is recognized for a period of 12 months and can be requested online on the public service website (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11534).
Health Mongolia
There are no particular risks in Mongolia. However, as for any trip abroad, it is more than recommended to take out a medical insurance policy before departure, to be able to cover any hospitalization or repatriation.
Mandatory vaccination Mongolia
There are no mandatory vaccinations to go to Mongolia. Some are nevertheless recommended such as hepatitis A and rabies. It is also advisable to be up to date in vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
Security Mongolia
There are no particular risks in Mongolia, the country is very safe. It is only necessary to take the usual precautions, as for any trip abroad.
Time difference Mongolia
Mongolia is divided into two time zones. There is a one hour difference between the three western aimag and the whole country.
The three westernmost aimag (Bayan-Olgiy, Khovd and Uvs) have a time difference with France (GMT +1) of six hours in winter and five hours in summer (GMT +7).
The rest of the country is seven hours behind France in winter and six hours in summer (GMT +8).
Spoken languages Mongolia
Mongolians speak Mongolian. Russian is also sometimes understood and even spoken by all people over 40 years old. Mongolians involved in tourist activities usually speak English, especially the guides. There are also some French-speaking guides, but their services are much more expensive than those of English-speaking guides. For travelers who plan to travel alone, you should expect to face enormous communication difficulties. It is strongly recommended to bring a French-Mongol or English-Mongol dictionary. It will be very useful, as the population is almost 98% literate.
Communication Mongolia
As data usage abroad is overcharged, it is recommended to buy a SIM card upon arrival. Not only will you be able to use the 3G and 4G network of the country, but you will also be able to make calls without being overcharged. The network coverage is very good in Mongolia, and you can get it even in remote areas, in the middle of nowhere.
Electricity and measurements Mongolia
Electricity. The electric current is 220 V and the plugs are similar to those used in France. No need to bring an adapter, therefore.
Weights and measures. Mongolia uses the metric system.
Floors. In Mongolia, the first floor is always designated as the second floor. In elevators, there is never a zero level.
Luggage Mongolia
The climate has the particularity to be very changeable in Mongolia, and the temperature variations can be very important between day and night, or even according to the altitude level. Even in summer, it is advisable to leave with warm clothes and rain gear! Nights can be very cold, especially in the desert or in the mountains, so it is necessary to take something to cover yourself. In winter, it is important to bring excellent equipment to withstand the sub-zero temperatures that affect the country.
