Capital: Ulan Bator
Time zone: GMT + 9 (GMT + 8 during the summer)
Telephone services: Country Code: 976 (Followed by 1 for Ulan Bator).
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Not present
Tourist information: Mongolian Tourism Association PO Box 10/195, Ulan Bator, Mongolia.- 1 Prime Minster Amar Street, Ulan Bator 13, Mongolia Tel: (1) 323 363 or 320 219 Fax: (1) 323 363 or 320 219.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure
Visa information: Required by all except nationals of Kazakhstan (up to 90 days), nationals of Malaysia (for up to 28 days), nationals of the Philippines (up to 21 days), nationals of Singapore, Poland, Romania and North Korea (up to 14 days).
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Rabies.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Tugrik (MNT) = 100 mongos Exchange: Commercial banks in Ulan Bator and bureau de change at certain hotels.
Credit cards are accepted by main commercial banks and large hotels. US dollars are the preferred currency in travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable
Cost of living: Very cheap for Mongolians although visitors are expected to pay ten times the prices charged to locals. Ask the price before you eat. Independent travel can be relatively cheap although tour groups may be charged very high prices.
Languages: Khalkha Mongolian. Many dialects are spoken
Weather: Cool climate with short, mild summers and longer severe winters.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.
Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to 2 weeks
Transport: FLIGHTS: Internal flights are operated by Air Mongol. NOTE: It is not known whether maintenance procedures are properly carried out on internal flights. RAIL: The main route runs from North to South. ROAD: Paved roads can only be found in or near major cities. Most of the roads are unpaved. BUS: Services run between towns. CAR HIRE: Available through tourism companies.
Special information: NOTE: As communications within Mongolia are poor, providing consular assistance can be difficult. Visitors may only enter Mongolia by air or train. Entry overland by other means is not permitted. Religious customs should be respected. Do not talk about death, divorce or accidents as mentioning these is considered a bad omen and will be taken seriously. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Street crime is on the increase in Ulan Bator and visitors should exercise caution, do not go out on foot after dark.