How to Get Around / Transport Within Mongolia

Mongolia is a vast, remote, and sparsely populated country, with significant distances between destinations. While various transportation options are available, selecting the most suitable mode depends on your travel style, budget, and schedule.

Private 4WD Vehicle with Driver (Recommended)

The most comfortable and reliable way to explore Mongolia — particularly the Gobi Desert and central regions — is by hiring a private 4WD vehicle or Russian van with an experienced driver.

Benefits include:

Ideal for remote and off-road travel
Flexible scheduling tailored to your itinerary
Safe and convenient transportation
Access to areas without paved roads

This option is highly recommended for multi-day overland journeys, ensuring comfort, safety, and maximum exploration opportunities in Mongolia’s rugged landscapes.

Domestic Flights

For long-distance travel, domestic flights link Ulaanbaatar with major provinces, including Dalanzadgad (Gobi) and Murun (Lake Khuvsgul).

Advantages include:

Significant time savings

Ideal for shorter itineraries

Considerations:

Schedules are weather-dependent

Limited flexibility for exploring remote landscapes between destinations

While flights reduce overall travel time, overland options remain preferable for travelers seeking a more immersive experience of Mongolia’s scenic and remote regions.

Public Bus

Long-distance buses operate between Ulaanbaatar and provincial centers.

Budget-friendly

Fixed schedules

Limited comfort

Not suitable for off-road sightseeing

This option is better for local travel rather than adventure routes.

Train

The Trans-Mongolian Railway runs from north to south through Mongolia.

Connects Ulaanbaatar with cities like Darkhan, Sukhbaatar, and Zamyn-Uud

Comfortable for long-distance north-south travel

Limited route coverage

Trains are scenic but do not reach most major tourist attractions in the Gobi or central Mongolia.

Self-Drive

Car rental is possible, but driving in Mongolia can be challenging due to:

Limited road signs

Off-road navigation

River crossings

Lack of mobile signal in remote areas

Self-driving is recommended only for experienced drivers familiar with off-road conditions.

Which Option Is Best?

For most travelers, a private vehicle with a professional driver offers the safest, most flexible, and most comfortable way to experience Mongolia’s vast and beautiful landscapes.

Inspire61548037111

Strongly warning against booking with Nurka - Highly unreliable and dishonest Strongly warning against booking with Nurka - Highly unreliable and dishonest I booked two 9-person tours with Nurka—one for October 2025 and another for June 2026. Right from the moment the first tour arrived, she started complaining that fuel and yurt prices had gone up, demanding extra money. Even though we had an agreed-upon price from the start, I ended up paying her an additional $200. I let it slide because I was hoping for a long-term partnership. For the second tour, I double-checked and confirmed the price with her multiple times before quoting my clients and collecting their deposits. Yet, she went back on her word again. Since I had already taken deposits from my clients, I decided to absorb the extra cost myself because I didn’t want to ask them for more money. I repeatedly asked her for confirmation that there would be no more hidden fees, and she assured me that this was the final price and everything was fine. All I wanted was to ensure a smooth Mongolia trip for my clients. However, just two months before departure, Nurka demanded more money yet again, using the exact same excuses: fuel hikes and yurt price increases. This is despite the fact that she had already accepted the deposit and explicitly promised not to raise the price again. This person’s integrity and credibility are completely unacceptable. I told her that the price I charged my clients was based on her initial quote. Even after she kept asking for more, I paid it and got her written promise—multiple times—that there would be no further charges. And yet, she broke her word again. I still have all the emails, messages, and proof of deposit payments. When I finally told her I couldn't pay any more because my income from the clients wouldn't even cover the costs, she canceled my tour—just two months before departure, and after already taking my deposit. She actually had the nerve to claim she is "a credible and responsible person" and would refund my deposit. I almost burst out laughing. Canceling a tour after taking a deposit is what she calls "responsible and credible"? She was the one who set the prices from the very beginning, only to repeatedly demand more money later. This behavior is completely dishonest and unethical. To make matters worse, I just noticed that she is even using photos that I personally took to promote her business! Nurka, please take down all of my photos immediately. Thank you, Nurka, for teaching me the hard way that not everyone can be trusted. I strongly do not recommend booking any tours with Nurka. I know she might try to deny or counter this, but I have saved all the text messages, emails, and chat history as evidence. Having traveled to Mongolia many times and collaborated with several local agencies, I can confidently say that Nurka is by far the most unreliable one.

bardado16@gmail.com

Perfect tours in a simple way. I met Nurka by chance. She came at the hotel and she organized everything for us. Her husband was her employee and driver, Dauka. We had a fantastic tour in Kharkorin, Gobi and Terelj National park. Simple no fuss, everything as planned, enjoying the simpathy of Dauka. I would recommend this company if visiting Mongolia.

Companion437249

So Many Magical Moments Wonderful route with special experiences. Please see attached pix—so many magical adventures. I fulfilled a lifelong dream to see the Gobi Desert. Staying with the camel nomadic family was incredible, and the Eagle Festival was world-class and otherworldly. Competent guide and driver; sturdy vehicle. Five stars.

Lora Ilieva

Unprofessionalism and lack of competence Only a person who lacks the necessary competence and professionalism can blame others for his own failure. Dear people, beware of this woman especially if you travel solo.

sandraO766QT

Fantastic trip. I spent 10 days in Mongolia with this agency, and the trip was simply fantastic! I had previously traveled with Nurka, an extremely professional guide, and this time I had the opportunity to explore new places as well. It's the kind of trip that requires a spirit of adaptability, but everything went perfectly.

Worse agency I ever had I am traveling around the world and as veteran traveler I met a lot of tour agencies and tour guides. That's why I want to share my experience with Eternal Nomads Mongolia. One year ago I contacted Nurka from Eternal Nomads Mongolia for a 17 days trip in Western Mongolia. She gave me a fair price. But the trip was HORRIBLE. I would never recommend you book with them. I didn't see half of the places in the program and finished three days early. She had hired a woman to guide, who had no idea about the places and was probably her first time guiding people. The guide even got drunk and talked nonsense, and also allowed herself to shout at me and insult me. The first driver was always tired. Probably because he was drinking too. The worst thing was that Nurka (the organizer) threatened to cancel the tour and leave me to fend for myself because I complained. She also assured me that she had booked a room for the last day of my stay in a hostel in Ulaanbaatar, but it turned out that she had not confirmed it at all and I had to spend the night with two unknown men. I also went to the airport by myself. Mongolia is a beautiful country but this agency almost ruined my whole trip unfortunately. Such a scam. I would never ever recommend this agency to any one.

Jungyong Choi

Amazing place You can be free from the phone and society. The road is little tough but you can feel comfortable. Go and feel it

rocky

歴史歴史を学ぶ上では重要ですね。歴史好きの人にはたまらないかも。家族が歴史専攻していて、何時間もずっとみている勢い。

Karen L

Amazing cultural visit back to ancient times Nur was a wonderful and helpful host and eagle hunting on horse back was an amazing experience we will never forget!

hartmaria

Hiking in Gobi an incredible 21 days tour with Nurka (Nargajaiv) Guide Mongolia for 21 days as incredible. Nurka proved to be a well organised, trusted and a dedicated guide. She speaks very good English and talks with enthusiasm about Mongolia, food, cultured its history as well as providing insight into Mongolia customs. We enjoyed tea parties, games and also got to mix with the locals who were friendly and kind people who showed us their herds and how to make traditional cake. Part of the activities was hiking for 9 days where she led us into touristic sites and wonderful sceneries surrounded by beautiful lakes and panorama views, which thoroughly enjoyed and took many photos!. She was knowledgeable about all the routes we took provided us with a packed and varied programmes, helped organise our yaks and the tents were well equipped with good gear to keep us dry during rainy days. it was an amazing and unforgettable experience! She also had an incredible team who supported her all along including skilful drivers who drove us through unmarked roads in such a vast place, and Boogy the cook, who was enthusiastic and passionate about his cooking sckill he made us delicious food that we enjoyed. All in all I deeply thank Nurka for this wonderful trip were we felt safe and welcome.Our happiness was always her top priority and I highly recommend Nurka as a good and well experienced guide also I think the August month was a best choice to visit Mongolia.

How to Get Around / Transport Within Mongolia