Going to en Mongolie: Formalities and administrative steps
Organize your stay en Mongolie
Money en Mongolie
Mongolian currency is called the tugrik, or tögrög, abbreviated to "T" or, more rarely, "Tg". The banking system also uses the abbreviation "MNT". The currency in circulation takes the form of banknotes only, featuring the national heroes Chinggis Khaan or Sükhbaatar on one side, and landscapes with gers and horses on the other. The bills are for T10, T20, T50, T100, T500, T1,000, T5,000, T10,000 and T20,000. There are no coins.
In January 2025, the exchange rate is €1 for 3,565 T.
Tögrög, euro or US dollar? This guide repeatedly indicates the prices of certain establishments or travel agencies in US dollars, and for a simple reason: the Mongolian tourist industry ( gers camps, travel agencies, hotels...) often displays prices in US$ so as not to have to take into account the country's sometimes unstable inflation. In this guide, Petit Futé transcribes prices as they are presented to the public, sometimes in tögrög (T), sometimes in dollars (US$) and sometimes even in euros (€).
Budget & Tips en Mongolie
By exchanging euros for tugriks, any visitor can quickly become a millionaire. Life in Mongolia is not very expensive on a Western salary. Food is inexpensive: you can easily eat for T10,000 in a guanz and have a gourmet meal for T30,000.
Small budget: 30 €/day: this is a very tight budget for those who want to discover the Mongolian countryside in depth. You'll need to use the few local means of transport, not use an agency, eat in the guanz and camp most of the time, or take low-end guesthouses.
Medium budget: €100/day: this budget allows you to travel in Mongolia in a small group, via a travel agency that provides driver, guide, accommodation and food.
Big budget: €250/day: with this budget, you can organize a tailor-made trip. You can sleep in good hotels, fly from one end of the country to the other and hire a private guide and driver.
Passport and visas en Mongolie
Since 2023, citizens of 34 countries - mainly EU countries including France, Belgium and Switzerland - have been exempt from tourist visas for stays of up to 30 days in Mongolia, until the end of 2025. There are no administrative formalities or steps to take to enter Mongolia, and all you need is a valid passport.
For travelers to neighboring countries: since November 30, 2024, French and Belgian citizens have been exempt from tourist visa requirements for stays in China not exceeding 30 days. While it used to be complicated to obtain a Chinese tourist visa in Ulan Bator, this will no longer be an issue until December 31, 2025: holders of a French or Belgian passport will be able to cross the border without a visa. Stays in Russia are strongly discouraged, except for imperative reasons.
Driver's license en Mongolie
To drive in Mongolia, you'll need to show both your French driving license and the International Driving Permit. The latter is recognized for a period of 12 months and authorizes you to drive for up to 3 months in Mongolia (beyond that, you'll need to obtain a local license). You can apply for an international driving license online at https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11534.
Health en Mongolie
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 en Mongolie
There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Mongolia. However, some are recommended, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rabies. It is also advisable to be up-to-date on vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria and poliomyelitis.
Security en Mongolie
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 en Mongolie
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 en Mongolie
Mongolians speak Mongolian. Russian is also sometimes understood and even spoken by everyone over 40. Mongolians involved in tourist activities generally speak English, especially the guides. There are also a few French-speaking guides, but their services are much more expensive than those of English-speaking guides. For travelers who intend to go it alone, you can expect to encounter enormous communication difficulties. We strongly advise you to bring along a French-Mongol or English-Mongol dictionary. It will come in very handy, as the population is almost 98% literate. Translation applications such as Google Translate also work very well, and you'll be able to use them even in the most remote parts of the country, where 4G reception is surprisingly good (provided you have a local SIM card).
Communication en Mongolie
Data usage abroad is subject to surcharges, so it's best to buy a SIM card on arrival. Not only will you be able to use the country's 3G and 4G network, but you'll also be able to make calls without being overcharged. Network coverage is very good in Mongolia, even in remote areas in the middle of nowhere.
To buy a local SIM card, you have two options: Mobicom and Unitel. Both operators offer equivalent packages for tourists, but it's advisable to opt for Unitel, which has better coverage. With Mobicom, there's a risk that you won't be able to pick up the network in some remote areas, particularly in the north of the country. You'll find a store for each operator at Ulaanbaatar international airport, but also in the city if you arrive by train.
Electricity and measurements en Mongolie
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 en Mongolie
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.
Daily life en Mongolie
Hello? en Mongolie
The most practical option is to buy a local SIM card from a Mobicom or Unitel store in the capital. A SIM card with a tourist package costs a minimum of 35,000 ₮.
To call from Mongolia to France, dial +33 followed by your correspondent's number without the 0.
To call from France to Mongolia, dial +976 followed by your correspondent's number.
Mobile numbers. They often start with 99 and have only eight digits.
It may come as a surprise to some, but the mobile network is particularly well developed in Mongolia. Even in the countryside and in particularly remote areas, you'll be able to find a 4G network and make calls without too many problems. Be careful if you keep your French SIM card: all calls made from abroad are, in principle, not included in the package. Find out about the cost of using data abroad, which can be very high, depending on the operator.
Accessibility en Mongolie
Traveling alone. Mongolians are very courteous, and traveling alone poses no problem in Mongolia. The only risk is stumbling across a few drunk Mongolians on a street or ger, who may then forget all their manners. But, on the whole, there's nothing to worry about.
Travelling with children. Children are always welcome in Mongolian families. The only difficulty in traveling in Mongolia with children is the fatigue caused by long car journeys, on roads and tracks that are often very chaotic. Also, the comfort level of a stay in Mongolia is rarely optimal. Not all children can stand eating the same dish for several days in a row, or sleeping on a wooden plank. Here again, fatigue will quickly set in. On the plus side, there are plenty of activities in the countryside. Many of you will enjoy horse-riding, camel-riding, fishing or the exotic experience of spending the night in a ger.
Disabled travelers. The country is not at all equipped in this respect. Public transport, hotels, restaurants and sanitary facilities are not wheelchair accessible, making daily life extremely difficult. The best solution is to contact local tourist agencies to arrange a tailor-made trip.
Health en Mongolie
No vaccinations are required for travel to Mongolia. However, it is advisable to be up to date with tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccinations, as well as hepatitis A and rabies vaccinations. For long, very rural trips, it may be prudent to include vaccinations against hepatitis B and typhoid fever. Vaccines should be inoculated several months in advance, as some of them require several injections months apart before they become active.
Insects. The good news about mosquitoes is that they do not carry disease in Mongolia. However, a mosquito repellent can be a great comfort, especially by the lakes. The scourge of the country, especially around bodies of water and rivers, is the swarm of flies, which quickly become a real nuisance. You also need to watch out for dogs and snakes. If you are bitten, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Toilets. Outside the capital, Mongolian toilets are the equivalent of a hole, and sometimes the steppe. While men have fewer privacy problems during stops, women have to deal with them. Wearing a very long t-shirt, a dress, a tunic, or even a large shawl, they can avoid being seen. If the steppe "offers" toilets in sublime settings, don't forget that urine and excrement are highly polluting: never squat near watercourses. It's advisable to make a hole in the ground which can then be filled in, or to burn all paper. That said, many ger camps and hotels are starting to install Western-style toilets, especially in tourist areas. In the city, this will be in conventional bathrooms; in the countryside, communal toilets or dry toilets.
Water. Water is precious, and tourists need to be aware of this and act accordingly. In national parks, it is forbidden to wash within several dozen meters of bodies of water, but unfortunately many tourists do not respect this vital precaution for people and animals. The best thing to do is to use biodegradable (soap-free) shower gels and shampoos, available in pharmacies and drugstores. In regions where water is scarce, you can use hydroalcoholic gel or antibacterial wipes. However, the latter are highly polluting, so you'll need to keep them with you. Finally, the presence of bathrooms in hotels is not always synonymous with hot water - far from it! For reasons of energy conservation or supply difficulties, hot water is often capricious in Mongolia, but the service is slowly improving. In any case, there are public baths in almost every town, where hot water flows freely. A shower usually costs T5,000.
Advice before you leave. For advice before your trip, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the Institut Pasteur medical center on 01 45 68 80 88 (https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical) or visit the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/).
In the event of illness. Contact the French consulate. They'll be happy to help you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, the consulate will also inform the family and decide on repatriation. For information on national-standard emergency services and facilities, visit www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr
Repatriation and medical assistance. Some bank cards include medical insurance and repatriation assistance for any trip abroad lasting less than 90 days. Ask your bank for details, and carefully check the total amount of coverage and deductibles, as well as the conditions of coverage and exclusion clauses. If you are not covered by your bank card, don't forget to take out medical assistance before you leave.
First-aid kit. Ulaanbaatar's pharmacies stock some basic medicines, available without prescription. However, it's best to take an emergency kit with you, as this will be your only recourse in the countryside. Remember to bring paracetamol, antihistamines, antidiarrheals and nasal decongestants, broad-spectrum antibiotics (available on prescription in France), anti-inflammatory ointments, antiseptics and bandages, mosquito repellents and sun protection.
French-speaking doctors. As a general rule, you should contact the French Embassy in the event of a serious problem.
Emergency numbers en Mongolie
In the event of an on-site health emergency, call one of the following numbers:
Center for Communicable Diseases: 100
Fire department: 101
Ambulance: 103
Securty en Mongolie
Mongolia is, overall, a very safe destination. A minimum of caution is nevertheless necessary in the evening in Ulaanbaatar, but nothing more than what common sense dictates: avoid dark and deserted places on the outskirts of the city, stay away from people with a slightly too high blood alcohol level and prefer to go out at night in groups rather than alone.
The usual precautions must be respected, in Mongolia as everywhere else: do not keep all your wealth in the same place, avoid banana bags a little too conspicuous, do not take out bundles of money in stores or exchange offices ...
Although Mongolia is a relatively safe country, some places in the capital, such as around the central post office, the black market or the bus stations have their share of pickpockets. It is also not advisable to leave your papers in hotels and guesthouses outside a safe. Attacks on tourists are extremely rare in the country.
Dogs. All nomadic families have at least one dog to guard the herds or the ger. These animals are not very social and have been trained to protect their masters and their animals. The tradition is that before getting out of a car or a horse in front of a ger, the inhabitants of the place are asked to hold back their dogs: " Nokhoi khori!" , this expression being both a form of politeness and a precautionary measure. Please note that the "i" in khori is not pronounced to be understood.
Small towns and the countryside also have their share of stray dogs. They are half wild and not always in a very good state of health, so it is better to avoid them.
Emergency number. To contact the police, dial 102. For a civil security emergency, dial 105.
For the latest information on safety in the country, consult the "Travel Advice" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that this sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
LGBTQ en Mongolie
Homosexuality, although legal, is far from being accepted in Mongolia. Many people have difficulty understanding this sexual orientation and do not accept it. Meeting points for the homosexual community in Ulaanbaatar remain highly confidential. The first Gay Pride was held in the capital in 2017. The subject is still very taboo.
Embassies and consulates en Mongolie
France has an embassy in Ulaanbaatar:
Website : https://mn.ambafrance.org/
Address: Enkhtaivany urgun chuluu-15
Poste Centrale - P.O. Box 687
Ulaanbaatar 15160, Mongolia
E-mail address: [email protected]
Telephone: (+976-11) 32 45 19; 32 96 33; 33 06 51; 33 07 43
Mail en Mongolie
Mail sent from Mongolia usually arrives at its destination (in Europe) within a month, even when posted in Ulaanbaatar. Mail from the countryside can take over a month. You have to take your mail directly to the post office, as there are no letterboxes on city streets.
Local media en Mongolie
To take advantage of the Mongolian media, you essentially need to speak Mongolian... French-language news sources are few and far between, so you'll have to resort to English. The main newspapers published in this language are The UB Post and The Mongol Messenger. These two local weeklies give you the chance to find out more about Mongolian news and upcoming festivities and events in Ulaanbaatar. Both are readily available from the Central Post Office, as well as online (https://theubposts.com/ and https://montsame.mn/en/). Also worth mentioning is the launch of a free monthly magazine, That's Ulaanbaatar, announcing upcoming cultural events, evenings and concerts in the Mongolian capital.
