If you’re looking to travel to Mongolia from the US or Canada, there are some things you should know before you go. For our best tips on traveling to Mongolia from these two North American countries, keep reading:
Mongolia Is a Landlocked Country
Since Mongolia is a landlocked country, you can only reach it directly by land or air. However, neither of these two options is very straightforward. In both air and land travel, you’ll have a long way to go and a couple of connection flights to make. Alternatively, you can use a combination of flights and train travel, especially if you wish to see some more of Asia.
Flights from the US and Canada
When taking a flight from the U.S., you’ll be landing at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN), 15 kilometers away from Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital. However, it will take a few connection flights. By Korean Air, you can catch a connecting flight to Ulaanbaatar from Seoul. Air China would take you to Ulaanbaatar from Beijing, while Turkish Airlines would take you there from Istanbul. Finally, it’s also possible to catch a connecting flight to Ulaanbaatar from Moscow by Aeroflot. If you are from Canada, you have the same connection flights available. But Seoul, Beijing, Moscow, and Istanbul can all be more than just a stop along the way, too!
Train Rides
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, you could take a train ride via the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. It’s the longest continuous rail line on Earth, running 7,925 kilometers. You can catch a ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway from almost all of the cities we mentioned earlier. The railway links Ulaanbaatar with Irkutsk, Moscow, and Beijing.
From Moscow, it would take you about 5 days to arrive in Ulaanbaatar. From the Baikal Lake and Irkutsk, it would take a day, while traveling from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar via the Trans-Siberian Railway takes 28 hours. Taking the train is a great way to see more of Asia’s natural beauty while you’re on the road.
When it comes to needing a visa, U.S. citizens don’t need it for visiting Mongolia, provided that the visit doesn’t last longer than 90 days. For Canadian citizens, the window is a little shorter — you won’t need a visa if you plan on staying less than 30 days.
Mongolia might be far away from your home country, but it’s worth a visit! Gorgeous valleys, harsh and beautiful deserts and steppes combined with the warm welcome of the Mongolian people will make your trip unforgettable.
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