Flights to Mongolia

Most international visitors fly into Mongolia through Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), about 50 km south of Ulaanbaatar. Direct flights link the capital with a handful of hubs in Asia and Europe, and travellers from further afield usually connect through Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Istanbul or Frankfurt. Routes and schedules change often and many are seasonal, so check with the airlines before you plan.

Airlines flying to Mongolia

The national carrier, MIAT Mongolian Airlines, operates the widest network from Ulaanbaatar, with routes in recent years to destinations including Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Frankfurt and Istanbul, plus seasonal services. Private Mongolian airlines such as Aero Mongolia and Hunnu Air have flown regional routes to China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

Foreign airlines that have served Ulaanbaatar include Air China, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Aeroflot, along with South Korean low-cost carriers on seasonal routes. Which airlines fly, and how often, varies by year and by season.

Main connecting hubs

• Beijing: a short flight with frequent connections, useful for travellers coming from across China and beyond. Check Chinese transit rules for your passport.
• Seoul (Incheon): one of the busiest gateways, with several daily flights in summer and good onward links to North America, Southeast Asia and Australia.
• Tokyo: direct services link Japan and Mongolia.
• Istanbul: Turkish Airlines connects Ulaanbaatar with its large European, Middle Eastern and African network.
• Frankfurt: MIAT's long-haul link to Europe has served Frankfurt for many years (in some seasons via other cities).
• Moscow and Russian cities: historically well served, though availability depends on current conditions.

From North America, the usual options are via Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing or Istanbul. From Australia and New Zealand, most travellers connect through Seoul, Hong Kong or another Asian hub.

When to book and what flights cost

Summer, especially late June to mid-August around Naadam, is peak season. Seats sell out and fares rise, so book several months ahead for July. Off-season fares are usually lower, but there are fewer frequencies and some routes are suspended entirely in winter. Prices change constantly, so compare fares on the airlines' own websites and on reputable booking platforms rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.

If you are connecting on separate tickets, leave plenty of time. Weather delays happen, particularly in winter and during spring dust storms, and a missed connection on a separate ticket is your own responsibility.

Arriving overland instead

Some travellers arrive by train on the Trans-Mongolian Railway, from Beijing or from Russia via Ulan-Ude and Irkutsk, or cross by road from China or Russia. Train services, border openings and the rules for foreigners change, so confirm current operations before planning an overland route.

Practical tips

Book flights that arrive a day or two before Naadam or the start of a tour, to allow for delays. Check baggage allowances carefully: international and domestic flights may have different limits, which matters if you are bringing camping, riding or photography gear. Make sure your passport and visa meet the requirements of both your transit country and Mongolia. For getting from the airport into the city and for domestic flights onward, see the separate guide to flights to Ulaanbaatar.