Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?

Is Ulaanbaatar expensive to visit?

Ulaanbaatar is a very affordable travel destination with an average daily cost of $26. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is a very affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability, comparable to places like Karachi and Srinagar.



Camping in Mongolia

How expensive is Ulaanbaatar?

The average cost of traveling to Ulaanbaatar can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $26 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Ulaanbaatar here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Ulaanbaatar?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Ulaanbaatar will cost around $77 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $154.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Ulaanbaatar?

On average, a one week trip to Ulaanbaatar costs about $179 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $358.

Is it expensive to backpack in Ulaanbaatar?

With more than 10 hostels around town, Ulaanbaatar is a very popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost around $9 per night. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $6 and the most expensive rooms costing about $15. (See hostel prices in Ulaanbaatar here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Ulaanbaatar.

  • $8 for a dorm bed at Golden Gobi
  • $8 for a dorm bed at UB Guesthouse & Tours
  • $8 for a dorm bed at Top Tour Guesthouse Mongolia

Are hotels expensive in Ulaanbaatar?

Hotel prices in Ulaanbaatar are moderately priced and fairly even compared to hotels in other cities. You can expect to spend about $0 per night for a room on average. There are around 4 five star hotels in the city and they average $148 per night. Three star hotels average $55 a night and two star hotels average $27 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Ulaanbaatar
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 4 $148
4 stars 14 $61
3 stars 27 $55
2 stars 8 $27
1 star 5 $13
No rating 4 $32

Laagan Street, P.O Box 104, Ulaanbaatar
Overall Rating 9.0
Zaluuchuud Avenue, 18, Ulaanbaatar
Overall Rating 8.6

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Ulaanbaatar?

Activities and things to do in Ulaanbaatar can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $5 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $4.

    • Private Jeep Tour to Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj N.P: $115
    • Terelj National Park, Chinggis Khan Statue Day Tour: $184
    • 1 Day Coach Tour of Terelj National Park Including Lunch And Free Camel Ride: $83
    • The Classic Ulaanbaatar Tour: Small-Group with a Local Guide: $127
    • Private City Tour - Ulaanbaatar: $198
    • Genghis Khaan Equestrian statue & Aryapala meditation center ( A half day tour): $232
    • Private: Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and Genghis Khan's Statue Complex Tour: $140
    • Private Jeep City tour with English Speaking Driver : $90

    Is food expensive in Ulaanbaatar?

    Food in Ulaanbaatar can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $9 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $8. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $100

    Is transportation expensive in Ulaanbaatar?

    Local transportation in Ulaanbaatar can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $3 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $3. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Ulaanbaatar

    If you're planning a trip to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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