A Mongolia trip costs less per day in Ulaanbaatar than most travellers expect, but the countryside is where the money goes. As a rough guide, budget travellers can manage on about USD 40 to 60 a day in the city, while a guided trip with a vehicle, driver, guide, food and camps usually costs USD 150 to 300 per person per day. Add international flights, and a domestic flight if you are heading to the Altai Mountains.
Key Takeaways
- Transport is the big cost: Mongolia is huge and roads are rough, so a 4×4 with a driver or a domestic flight takes the largest share of the budget.
- Group size matters: Vehicle and guide costs are shared, so two travellers pay much more per person than four or six.
- Ulaanbaatar is affordable: Hostels, cafés and local buses are cheap; mid-range hotels are reasonably priced.
- Season matters: July (Naadam) and the eagle festivals are the most expensive and book out early.
- Hidden costs: Park fees, tips, travel insurance with evacuation cover and buffer days for delayed flights.
Mongolia Budget per Day
These are rough per-person figures for 2026–2027. Exchange rates and fuel prices move, so use them as a starting point rather than a quote.
| Travel style | Rough daily cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker in Ulaanbaatar | USD 40–60 | Hostel dorm, local food, buses, museums |
| Mid-range in Ulaanbaatar | USD 100–180 | 3-star hotel, restaurants, taxis |
| Shared hostel tour in the countryside | USD 60–100 | Shared minivan, basic guide, simple meals, ger stays |
| Private guided tour | USD 150–300 | 4×4 with driver, English-speaking guide, cook or meals, camps |
| Specialist trip (trekking, climbing, festivals) | USD 200–400 | Extra staff, pack animals, equipment, permits |
Mongolia is not a country where you save much by going independent in the countryside. Public buses link province capitals, but most of the places worth seeing lie hours off the paved road, so you end up hiring a driver anyway.
Getting There and Around
International flights
Flights to Ulaanbaatar (UBN) usually connect via Seoul, Beijing, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Tokyo or Hong Kong. From Europe or North America, round trips often cost roughly USD 900 to 1,600, more in July. Overland, the Trans-Mongolian Railway from Beijing is another option.
Domestic flights
Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii, the gateway to the Altai, takes about 3 to 4 hours by air and costs roughly USD 300 to 500 round trip. It saves three days or more of driving each way, so it usually pays for itself.
Vehicle with driver
A Russian UAZ van, Toyota Land Cruiser or similar with a driver commonly costs roughly USD 100 to 200 a day including fuel, depending on the vehicle and the route. Self-drive rental is also possible; see car rental in Mongolia.
Accommodation Costs
| Type | Rough price per night |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm in Ulaanbaatar | USD 10–20 |
| Mid-range hotel in Ulaanbaatar | USD 50–120 |
| Tourist ger camp (with meals) | USD 40–120 per person |
| Nomad family homestay | Often USD 20–40 per person with meals |
| Tent camping | Free on most open land; equipment rental extra |
Tourist ger camps range from simple felt tents with shared toilets to comfortable lodges with showers. Our guide to Mongolian ger camps explains what you get at each level, and places to stay in Mongolia covers hotels and homestays.
Food, Activities and Extras
- Food: a local meal in Ulaanbaatar costs roughly USD 3 to 8; a restaurant meal USD 10 to 25. On tours, meals are normally included.
- Horse riding: roughly USD 20 to 50 a day per horse, more with a horseman and pack horses.
- Camel ride in the Gobi: often USD 10 to 30 per hour or session.
- National park fees: small per-person entry fees in protected areas such as Altai Tavan Bogd; border-zone permits are needed near the Chinese and Russian borders.
- Festivals: Naadam tickets and eagle festival entry are extra, and prices rise in high season.
- Tips: tipping guides and drivers is customary on tours; see our Mongolia travel tips.
Sample Trip Budgets
Here is how the pieces add up for three typical trips, per person, excluding international flights:
| Trip | Rough total |
|---|---|
| 7-day backpacker: Ulaanbaatar plus shared hostel tour to central Mongolia | USD 500–800 |
| 10-day private tour of central Mongolia and the Gobi, 2–4 people | USD 1,800–3,000 |
| 10–12 days in the Altai with domestic flights | USD 2,000–3,500 |
For fixed reference points from our own trips: the 6-day Altai Tavan Bogd tour starts from USD 1,300, the 8-day Altai Mountain tour with a Malchin Peak climb is USD 1,800, and the 11-day Altai Tavan Bogd trek starts from USD 2,300. For activity-specific numbers, read Mongolia trekking tour cost and Mongolia motorcycle tour cost.
How to Save Money in Mongolia
- Travel in June or September instead of July, when prices and crowds peak.
- Join a small group or bring friends to share the vehicle and guide.
- Mix ger camps with family homestays and camping.
- Fly one way and drive the other only if you have the time; driving both ways to the far west adds about a week.
- Pick one region and explore it well instead of crossing the whole country.
- Ask a local operator for a tailor-made tour; it often costs less than a big international agency.
Costs People Forget
Budget for travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation, especially for trekking and riding; read mountain rescue in Mongolia to see why. Add a buffer night in Ulaanbaatar in case domestic flights are delayed by weather, your visa or e-visa fee (see Mongolia visa requirements), warm clothing if you travel outside summer, and souvenirs such as cashmere, which is good value in Mongolia.
Suggested Blogs:
Taimen Fishing in Mongolia: Season, Rules, Cost and Where to Go
Taimen fishing in Mongolia: best season, catch-and-release law, permits via licensed outfitters, trip prices, gear and fishing in the Altai…Mongolia Dinosaurs: Fossils, the Flaming Cliffs and Where to See Them
Mongolia dinosaurs guide: why the Gobi is a fossil treasure house, the Flaming Cliffs, Tarbosaurus, repatriated fossils and where to…Tsagaan Sar 2027: Dates, Traditions and What Visitors Should Know
Tsagaan Sar 2027 starts around February 7. Mongolian Lunar New Year traditions, food, greetings and etiquette, and why the Kazakh…
How much does a trip to Mongolia cost?
Excluding international flights, a 7-day budget trip can cost about USD 500 to 800, while a 10 to 12 day private or specialist tour usually costs USD 1,800 to 3,500 per person.
How much money do I need per day in Mongolia?
Roughly USD 40 to 60 a day for backpackers in Ulaanbaatar and USD 150 to 300 a day for a private guided countryside tour.
Is Mongolia cheap to travel?
Ulaanbaatar is affordable, but travel in the countryside is not cheap, because you need a vehicle, driver and fuel to cover long distances.
Why are Mongolia tours expensive?
Distances are huge, roads are rough, the season is short and most supplies have to be carried in. Transport and staff make up most of the cost.
What is the cheapest way to travel in Mongolia?
Stay in hostels in Ulaanbaatar, join a shared hostel tour, travel in June or September and share vehicles with other travellers.
Do I need cash in Mongolia?
Yes, for the countryside. Cards work in Ulaanbaatar, but carry Mongolian tögrög for homestays, small shops and tips.