The best ways to get around in Mongolia

12.08.2023 - 06:43 / lonelyplanet.com

Journeying through Mongolia’s epic landscapes is a mesmerizing adventure. The sheer scale and emptiness of the steppe has a hypnotic lure that stays with you long after returning to civilization. 

That’s not to say travel is a breeze – in a country three times the size of France, where most "roads" are grassy tracks, it takes a while to get anywhere. But that’s all part of the experience in one the world’s last remaining nomadic societies.

Here’s our guide to getting around this remote and rugged destination.

Once you escape the orbit of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s gateway city, you’ll need a vehicle to properly explore the great outdoors. And a 4WD is essential unless you only plan to travel to sights connected to the capital by paved road, such as Khövsgöl Nuur National Park. 

To handle the rough and tumble of the grasslands, the 4WDs of choice in Mongolia include Toyota Landcruisers (favored for comfort) and the retro-cool, Russian-made UAZ-452. This hard-as-nails off-road van is prized for how easy it is to fix at the roadside, but on the flipside, it does tend to break down a lot…

The vast majority of Mongolia tours, whether budget or high-end, include a vehicle, driver and also a guide, since drivers generally don’t speak English. Small group tours typically use 4WD vans, which can be notorious bone-rattlers, while private tours for solo travelers, couples and families tend to use more comfortable 4WD "jeeps". Whichever route you go down, it’s important to book well in advance – Mongolia’s travel season is fleeting (snow often hits Ulaanbaatar by September, and rarely thaws before April) and vehicle fleets are soon booked out. 

It’s also possible to go it alone and rent your own vehicle from the likes of Sixt or Drive Mongolia. You’ll need your home driving license (valid for at least one year) as well as an international driving permit. Most self-drivers are content to stick to the expanding paved road network with proper motorist facilities fanning outwards from Ulaanbaatar. If you're planning to venture much further or go off-road, you should be ready for challenges such as water-crossings and trying not to get hopelessly lost. 

Cellular phone coverage can be spotty in remote areas, so you should take a compass and physical map as a backup. Also consider hiring a guide to join you on the trip – they can check in with locals for advice on how to avoid routes that lead to mud, swollen rivers or sands. You’ll need jerry cans for extra fuel and at least two spare tires. For trips to ultra-remote, unpopulated areas such as parts of the Gobi, you should have a minimum of two vehicles.

When choosing a tour or planning your own (off) road trip, don’t be too ambitious – Mongolia is vast and your top speed on the