Frequently asked questions – travelling in Mongolia
VISAS
Do I need a visa for Mongolia and is it included in the price?
I require a visa to Mongolia but I am not based in the UK, how do I apply for the visa?
MONEY
What money can I use in Mongolia? Are credit cards accepted?
How much money should I take with me?
Do I have to leave tips?
FOOD
What is the food like in Mongolia?
Can I easily find vegetarian food?
Can I drink the water from the tap?
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Is Mongolia safe?
Are vaccinations required to visit Mongolia?
How not to become a pickpocket victim?
Many practical questions have already been addressed in our Mongolian travel guide where you can read about Mongolian culture, climate and weather, accommodation options, get specialist knowledge about travel practicalities – what to bring on a tour, what money to take, etc. Mostly frequently asked questions are detailed below. If you are still unsure or have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact a member of our customer service team or your travel consultant.
VISAS
Do I need a visa for Mongolia and is it included in the price?
Most European (including UK), some Latin American, Asian and USA passport holders can travel to Mongolia visa –free for up to 30 days. However you must posses a passport valid for at least six months after your departure date from Mongolia. If you are not a national of EU or USA you will need to apply for the visa.
As most of our customers are nationals of the countries enjoying visa – free regime with Mongolia we do not include the cost of the visa in the holiday price. If you are based in the UK, Germany or USA we will be able to submit your visa application to the embassy. If you are based overseas and require a visa, we will issue all required paperwork for your application and you will need to submit your documents to the Mongolian consulate of the country of your residence.
More details on the Mongolian visa:
If you are not resident in the UK, we will issue official visa support documents (required for some nationals, eg. Canadians) and email them to you. You will need to apply for your visa at the local Mongolian consulate. The process is very straightforward and we can assist you with completing the visa forms.
What money can I use in Mongolia? Are credit cards accepted?
The currency of Mongolia is the togrog. Read more about money in Mongolia in our travel guide.
All our tours in Mongolia are all-inclusive, i.e. accommodation, guide services, transportation, entrance tickets, full – board meals are included in the price of the holiday unless specified otherwise in the tour description. Your personal spending will be mostly buying souvenirs, paying alcoholic drinks during your meals, leaving tips for your guides and drivers. Budgeting equivalent of $10 - $15 per day per person can be considered a reasonable amount.
Tipping is quite common in Mongolia and it is widely accepted practice to tip guides and drivers. The amount of tips is completely a matter of personal preferences and goodwill, just for your guidance an equivalent of $5 - $10 per person per day is a suitable amount.
What is the food like in Mongolia?
Please read the relevant section in our Mongolia travel guide - Food in Mongolia.
Mongolian diet is mostly meat based. If you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements please advise your travel consultant before departure on a tour so that alternative arrangements can be made. All our tours to Mongolia are based on full-board and it will be difficult to adapt your meals on spot.
Not recommended, please use bottled or boiled water instead.
Is Mongolia safe?
Please read the relevant section in our Mongolia travel guide - Safety in Mongolia.
No vaccinations are compulsory for Mongolia, but please make sure that your polio, diphtheria and tetanus are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention please contact your doctor.
Unfortunately pick pocketing is an ongoing concern in many tourist places. Pick-pocketing in Mongolia may happen in Ulan Bator and it is quite rare in the country-side. Our guides always warn our customers before excursions but still please do make sure all your valuables are safely kept. Please follow the link for some useful advice on how to keep your valuables out of rich of pickpockets: https://wikitravel.org/en/Pickpockets
Do I need a visa for Mongolia and is it included in the price?
I require a visa to Mongolia but I am not based in the UK, how do I apply for the visa?
MONEY
What money can I use in Mongolia? Are credit cards accepted?
How much money should I take with me?
Do I have to leave tips?
FOOD
What is the food like in Mongolia?
Can I easily find vegetarian food?
Can I drink the water from the tap?
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Is Mongolia safe?
Are vaccinations required to visit Mongolia?
How not to become a pickpocket victim?
Many practical questions have already been addressed in our Mongolian travel guide where you can read about Mongolian culture, climate and weather, accommodation options, get specialist knowledge about travel practicalities – what to bring on a tour, what money to take, etc. Mostly frequently asked questions are detailed below. If you are still unsure or have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact a member of our customer service team or your travel consultant.
VISAS
Do I need a visa for Mongolia and is it included in the price?
Most European (including UK), some Latin American, Asian and USA passport holders can travel to Mongolia visa –free for up to 30 days. However you must posses a passport valid for at least six months after your departure date from Mongolia. If you are not a national of EU or USA you will need to apply for the visa.
As most of our customers are nationals of the countries enjoying visa – free regime with Mongolia we do not include the cost of the visa in the holiday price. If you are based in the UK, Germany or USA we will be able to submit your visa application to the embassy. If you are based overseas and require a visa, we will issue all required paperwork for your application and you will need to submit your documents to the Mongolian consulate of the country of your residence.
More details on the Mongolian visa:
- the list of countries with visa – free regime with Mongolia
- guidance notes how to fill in the Mongolian visa application and required documents list
If you are not resident in the UK, we will issue official visa support documents (required for some nationals, eg. Canadians) and email them to you. You will need to apply for your visa at the local Mongolian consulate. The process is very straightforward and we can assist you with completing the visa forms.
What money can I use in Mongolia? Are credit cards accepted?
The currency of Mongolia is the togrog. Read more about money in Mongolia in our travel guide.
All our tours in Mongolia are all-inclusive, i.e. accommodation, guide services, transportation, entrance tickets, full – board meals are included in the price of the holiday unless specified otherwise in the tour description. Your personal spending will be mostly buying souvenirs, paying alcoholic drinks during your meals, leaving tips for your guides and drivers. Budgeting equivalent of $10 - $15 per day per person can be considered a reasonable amount.
Tipping is quite common in Mongolia and it is widely accepted practice to tip guides and drivers. The amount of tips is completely a matter of personal preferences and goodwill, just for your guidance an equivalent of $5 - $10 per person per day is a suitable amount.
What is the food like in Mongolia?
Please read the relevant section in our Mongolia travel guide - Food in Mongolia.
Mongolian diet is mostly meat based. If you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements please advise your travel consultant before departure on a tour so that alternative arrangements can be made. All our tours to Mongolia are based on full-board and it will be difficult to adapt your meals on spot.
Not recommended, please use bottled or boiled water instead.
Is Mongolia safe?
Please read the relevant section in our Mongolia travel guide - Safety in Mongolia.
No vaccinations are compulsory for Mongolia, but please make sure that your polio, diphtheria and tetanus are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention please contact your doctor.
Unfortunately pick pocketing is an ongoing concern in many tourist places. Pick-pocketing in Mongolia may happen in Ulan Bator and it is quite rare in the country-side. Our guides always warn our customers before excursions but still please do make sure all your valuables are safely kept. Please follow the link for some useful advice on how to keep your valuables out of rich of pickpockets: https://wikitravel.org/en/Pickpockets