How much does it cost to travel to Ulaanbaatar?
You should plan to spend around $25 (₮86,501) per day on your vacation in Ulaanbaatar. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $8.94 (₮30,818) on meals
- $2.91 (₮10,029) on local transportation
- $24 (₮81,335) on hotels
A one week trip to Ulaanbaatar for two people costs, on average, $351 (₮1,211,016). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Ulaanbaatar has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Ulaanbaatar expensive to visit?
Ulaanbaatar is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Mongolia, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Ulaanbaatar in depth.
Within Asia, Ulaanbaatar is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Ulaanbaatar.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Ulaanbaatar?
The average Ulaanbaatar trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Ulaanbaatar travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
₮81,335
($24)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
₮10,029
($3)
|
|
Food 2
|
₮30,818
($9)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
₮15,237
($4)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
₮9,199 -
27,598
($3 - 8)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
₮6,603 -
19,808
($2 - 6)
|
Accommodation Budget in Ulaanbaatar
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Ulaanbaatar is $12 (₮40,667). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Ulaanbaatar is $24 (₮81,335). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Ulaanbaatar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Ulaanbaatar
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Ulaanbaatar is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $2.91 (₮10,029) per person, per day, on local transportation in Ulaanbaatar.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$2.91
₮10,029
How much does it cost to go to Ulaanbaatar? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Ulaanbaatar will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Ulaanbaatar
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Ulaanbaatar can vary, the average cost of food in Ulaanbaatar is $8.94 (₮30,818) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Ulaanbaatar should cost around $3.57 (₮12,327) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ulaanbaatar is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$8.94
₮30,818
Entertainment Budget in Ulaanbaatar
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Ulaanbaatar typically cost an average of $4.42 (₮15,237) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$4.42
₮15,237
Tips and Handouts Budget in Ulaanbaatar
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Ulaanbaatar is $5.34 (₮18,398) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Ulaanbaatar is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$5.34
₮18,398
Alcohol Budget in Ulaanbaatar
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $3.83 (₮13,206) on alcoholic beverages in Ulaanbaatar per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$3.83
₮13,206
Water Budget in Ulaanbaatar
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.84 (₮2,908) on bottled water in Ulaanbaatar per day. The public water in Ulaanbaatar is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.84
₮2,908
Ulaanbaatar On a Budget
Camping in Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.
Ulaanbaatar sits at about 1,350 meters above sea level. The higher elevation and high latitude make it the coldest national capital in the world. The summers are short and warm while the winters are cold and dry. The lows in January can drop to -40 degrees Celsius. Rain is most common between June and September. The average annual temperature is 31 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sights
If you have a few days in Ulaanbaatar, there are some interesting sights worth visiting. Head to the
Gandan Monastery or Choijin Lama Monastery. Gandan Monastery is the main monastery in the city and about 5,000 monks live here. There are services at 10:00 every morning. Choijin Lama Monastery has a museum that has religious art on display. It's really quite impressive. Also make sure you check out
Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, Zaisan Memorial, the International Intellectual Museum, and the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts.
Neighborhoods
As a tourist, you're likely to stay on or around Peace Avenue. This is the city's main street that passes through the center of town. There's plenty of shopping along the street, as well as many restaurants. Chinggis Square is at the center of the city. This is where you'll find the tourist information office and several famous statues including a seated statue of Chinggis Khaan and his sons and generals.
There are a small handful of hostels in Ulaanbaatar that are quite affordable. Most will arrange tours of the country for you, but do read reviews ahead of time. You'll find it challenging to find a mid range hotel, but there are some more high end, western chain hotels around town as well. During peak season you should definitely make reservations in advance.
Activities
Naadam is the largest festival in Mongolia. The event takes place between July 10th and 12th and includes the three traditional Mongolian sports of wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
Also make sure you see a cultural show, which is quite interesting with its music and very impressive contortionists.
A hike in the Bogd Khaan Uul Strictly Protected Area is also enjoyable. The area is just south of Ulaanbatar.
If you're looking for souvenirs to purchase, head to Peace Avenue and the Circus area. The State Department Store has a few interesting paintings, but this is the best place to stock up on supplies for your tour. If possible, it is best to pick up some fresh fruit and snacks before you head out, as the food provided on the tours is highly variable.
Food and Dining
Mongolia isn't really a foodie's destination, but the capital city does have a range for local and international restaurants. Most restaurants are reasonably priced and you can get a pizza for about US$3. It's worth eating some good food before you head out on your tour, as food options in the countryside are quite limited.
Most restaurants around town are either Korean or Chinese, but western restaurants are also easy to find. If you're on a tight budget, head to a local Mongolian eatery or cafeteria. Meals are cheap and the food is good and filling.
Transportation
Getting to Ulaanbaatar from China is how many visitors arrive. For one of the most affordable ways by bus and train from Beijing, see
China to Mongolia, the cheapest way. Otherwise, many visitors arrive by air to the international airport in UB which has flights connecting to major cities in Asia and Europe.
Your main options for getting around Ulaanbaatar are by bus, taxi, or on foot. When you first arrive, particularly if you reach the city by train, a taxi is the best option to find your hotel. You'll likely be tired, as most trains are overnight, and while you may believe that you can walk to your hotel, you really can't as it's further than you realize.
Take a taxi.
Buses are convenient as well, particularly after you've had some time to orient yourself with the city.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.