Asia > 🇲🇳 Mongolia
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Mongolia can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Mongolia; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Mongolia?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Mongolia?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Mongolia
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ulaanbaatar | ULN |
🏙️ Driving in and around Ulaanbaatar
In Ulaanbaatar, traffic can be intense and unpredictable. Roads are paved but often full of potholes, and lane markings are more a suggestion than a rule. Parking can be confusing, and signs are mainly in Mongolian or Russian. For this reason, most visitors rely on taxis or private transfers, which are inexpensive and easy to arrange via apps or hotels.
🏜️ Beyond the Capital — Why a Car (and Driver) Helps
Once you leave Ulaanbaatar, conditions change completely. Paved roads link the capital with Darkhan, Erdenet, and Sainshand, but beyond those main routes, you’re mostly dealing with gravel or dirt tracks. GPS can be unreliable, and in rural areas, roads often fade into the landscape without warning.
Still, the rewards are immense: endless plains, nomadic herders, the Gobi Desert, and night skies filled with stars. The best way to see it all is by hiring a 4×4 with a local driver or guide. They know the terrain, can handle breakdowns, and understand how to navigate the open steppe safely.
🚆 Trains and Other Travel Options
The Trans-Mongolian Railway — part of the legendary Moscow-to-Beijing route — forms the backbone of Mongolia’s rail network. It’s scenic, affordable, and reliable, linking Ulaanbaatar with border towns and a few regional hubs. However, it runs north to south, while Mongolia itself stretches east to west. This means there’s no train route crossing the country laterally, which limits rail travel for anyone hoping to explore beyond the main corridor.
Domestic flights offer an alternative for long journeys, connecting Ulaanbaatar with places like Dalanzadgad (for the Gobi Desert) and Khovd in the west. These can save huge amounts of time compared to driving.
🧭 Should You Rent a Car in Mongolia?
🚫 No — not solo. Driving yourself across rural Mongolia can be risky because of rough roads, poor signage, and limited facilities.
✅ Yes — with a driver or guide. Renting a 4×4 and hiring a local driver gives you the freedom to explore safely and deeply. Independent travel here demands skill and patience, but with the right setup, Mongolia’s vast landscapes offer one of the world’s most unforgettable adventures.
