Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Driving in Mongolia can be extremely difficult due to poorly maintained streets, broken traffic lights, poor street lighting, a shortage of traffic signs, unskilled drivers, and wandering pedestrians. Unpaved roads are common outside the capital, and street lights are rare. Driving outside of Ulaanbaatar after dark is unsafe. For specific information concerning Mongolian drivers’ permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Embassy of Mongolia at 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, telephone (202) 333-7117.

Metered taxis are common in Ulaanbaatar. There are a few car rental companies, but safety and maintenance standards vary, so you should use rental vehicles with caution. Local tourist companies can provide cars with drivers. Public transportation within the capital is widespread, cheap, and generally reliable, but it is also extremely crowded, so pickpocketing can occur.

During the winter holiday season there tends to be an increase in intoxicated persons on the streets and a spike in drunk drivers. December tends to be a very dangerous month on the roads in Mongolia, with the highest number of traffic fatalities occurring at the end of the month.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. We also suggest that you visit the website of Mongolia's National Tourist Center and national authority responsible for road safety.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Mongolia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Mongolia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.