Mongolia Money & Internet Guide: Is Cash Widely Used? Is Paying by Card Convenient? Is the Internet Reliable?
A one-stop rundown of the key points on currency, card payments, and internet use in Mongolia—so you can quickly get your travel prep on track before you set off.
For many people planning a trip to Mongolia, the first thing that trips them up often isn't the itinerary, but these very practical questions:
If your itinerary includes places like the Orkhon Valley or the Bayan Gobi, we recommend preparing enough cash before leaving the city.
Cash flow and internet access are relatively convenient in downtown Ulaanbaatar, where most restaurants and malls accept cards and mobile payments, and the internet is fairly stable
Most hotels and ger camps provide Wi-Fi, but in practice:
In Ulaanbaatar the network is stable, but once you head out onto the steppe, reception quality usually drops noticeably
- How much cash should I bring to Mongolia?
- Can I pay by card, or do I have to use cash?
- Is there internet on the grasslands? Will I lose signal completely?
30-Second Summary: Money & Internet in Mongolia
- Currency: The tögrög (MNT) is used, and everyday spending is mainly in the local currency
- Cash advice: Cards work in the city, but it's best to carry cash once you leave town
- Where cards work: Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, malls, and hotels
- Internet situation: Stable in the city, but may be unstable or drop out on the grasslands and in the countryside
- Internet Access: An eSIM or a local SIM card is usually more convenient
What currency is used in Mongolia? Do I need to exchange a lot of cash?
What currency is used in Mongolia?
Mongolia's legal tender is the tugrik (MNT). At local restaurants, shops, markets and most other spending situations, payment is settled in tugrik.How is it best to prepare for exchanging money?
Generally speaking, it is rather difficult to exchange Mongolian currency directly in Hong Kong, so the more common approach is:- Prepare some US dollars (USD) first
- After arriving in Ulaanbaatar, exchange money at the airport or in the city
- 5,000 MNT
- 10,000 MNT
Do you need a lot of cash when travelling in Mongolia?
In Ulaanbaatar, most restaurants and shops accept cards, but once you head out onto the grasslands, into a ger, or to more remote areas, cash usually becomes far more practical. Common situations where you will need cash include:- Small shops or markets
- Local handicraft stalls
- Spending on the grasslands or in the countryside
- When the signal is unstable and cards cannot be used
Can I pay by card in Mongolia? Is it convenient?
Yes, but we don't recommend relying on cards entirely. In central Ulaanbaatar, credit card use is fairly common—at restaurants, shopping malls, hotels and large stores, cards can mostly be used without a problem. But if your itinerary takes you outside the city, the convenience of paying by card usually drops.A quick summary of payment methods in Mongolia
| Situation | Card / Contactless Payment Convenience | Recommended Payment Method |
| Restaurants / Cafés in Downtown Ulaanbaatar | High | Card, contactless, or cash all accepted |
| Department Stores / Malls / Large Supermarkets | High | Card or contactless payment is convenient |
| Hotels / Tourist Facilities | High | Most accept card payment |
| Small Shops / Markets | Medium-Low | Best to have cash on hand |
| Grasslands / Remote Areas | Low | Relying mainly on cash is safer |
Can I use mobile payment? Are Apple Pay and Google Pay available?
Yes, they can be used, but we don't recommend relying on them entirely.In downtown Ulaanbaatar, some shopping malls, restaurants, and chain stores accept:- QPay (a common QR payment method in Mongolia)
- Apple Pay / Google Pay
- Contactless credit cards
Cash flow and internet access are relatively convenient in downtown Ulaanbaatar, where most restaurants and malls accept cards and mobile payments, and the internet is fairly stable
Is the internet reliable in Mongolia? Does the signal cut out on the grasslands?
What is the overall state of Mongolia's internet?
The difference between the cities and the grasslands is stark. As you head into natural landscapes and wide-open spaces, internet quality usually declines accordingly.- Downtown Ulaanbaatar: The internet is usually stable, with no major issues for everyday use
- Suburbs / Grasslands / Sand dunes: The signal may weaken or even cut out briefly
General state of internet reception in Mongolia
| Location / Situation | Network Conditions | Usage Tips |
| Ulaanbaatar city centre | Stable | Normal browsing and messaging available |
| Hotels / Cafés | Wi-Fi usually available | Can be used as a supplement |
| Suburbs / National parks | Weaker signal | Prepare in advance |
| Steppe / Ger camps | Not always stable | Don't rely on the internet |
| During long-distance travel | Signal may drop out | Keep offline backup information |
- The speed is usually rather slow
- Stability is limited
- Better suited to messaging
In Ulaanbaatar the network is stable, but once you head out onto the steppe, reception quality usually drops noticeably
How do you get online in Mongolia? eSIM or SIM card?
For most travellers, a physical SIM card or eSIM is usually more practical than relying solely on Wi-Fi or roaming. If your itinerary takes you out of the city and into the steppe or remote areas, reliable reception generally matters more than mere convenience.Comparing ways to get online in Mongolia
| Connectivity Option | Advantages | Things to Note |
| Physical SIM Card (Recommended) | Can be arranged directly upon arrival, and overall stability is usually higher | You can sign up for Unitel or Mobicom at the airport; among them, Unitel has a relatively better reputation for reception in remote areas |
| eSIM | Convenient, and can be set up before departure | Not all plans use the local major carriers' networks, so it's advisable to confirm whether local network sources such as Unitel are included |
| International Roaming | The most hassle-free option, no need to swap cards | Costs are usually higher, and its ability to find signal in rural areas or the steppe is generally not as good as a local card |
| Hotel / Camp Wi-Fi | Can be used as a supplement | Speed and stability are usually limited, so it's not recommended as your main means of getting online |
Mongolia Currency & Internet Q&A
Q1: How much cash should I bring to Mongolia to be enough? A:You usually don't need to bring much, but it's advisable to prepare enough small-denomination cash to cover 1–2 days. The actual amount depends on your itinerary, but if the trip includes the steppe or remote areas, having some small-denomination cash on hand will give you more peace of mind. Q2: Is it better to exchange currency at the airport or in the city in Mongolia? A:Either works; the key is convenience and immediate use. Most travellers exchange a portion at the airport first to ensure they can use it right after arriving, then top up at a city exchange bureau later if needed. Q3: Can I withdraw money from ATMs in Mongolia? A: Yes, but we recommend treating it as a backup option. You can find ATMs in downtown Ulaanbaatar, but they are rarer in rural or steppe areas, so we don't advise relying entirely on withdrawing cash locally. Q: Is Mongolia suitable for remote work or extended internet use? A: Not really recommended. If your itinerary includes the steppe, gers, or long-distance travel, the internet is usually not stable enough to support extended video calls or high-intensity work demands. Q: Do I need to prepare offline tools for Mongolia? A: We recommend it. For example, offline maps, itinerary details, accommodation addresses, and important contacts can be extremely helpful when the connection is unstable or temporarily lost. Q: Is Mongolia's internet suitable for sending photos or videos? A: It's usually fine in the city, but it can be slower on the steppe or in rural areas. If you have a lot to upload, we suggest handling it once you're back in the city or somewhere with a more stable connection.Head to Mongolia with DeWonder
If you long for the vastness and freedom of Mongolia but don't want to just tick boxes and rush through the sights, DeWonder Travel hopes to take you a little deeper. DeWonder's Mongolia In-Depth Tour is not just about arranging transport and accommodation; through more complete route design and cultural context, it takes you truly into this land of blue skies—from the steppe and sand dunes to imperial ruins, from the daily lives of herders to the rhythm of Mongolian life—making your journey not only beautiful, but also worth remembering. ✨ Trip Highlights:- Step into nomadic life: Visit a herder's ger and experience up close the daily life and culture of the Mongolian steppe.
- See Mongolia's many landscapes in one trip: Visit classic destinations such as Ulaanbaatar, Bayangobi, and the Orkhon Valley.
- Smaller groups, more breathing room:With an average of 8–14 travellers, we keep a better travel rhythm and a greater sense of connection.
- In-depth travel with a story:Led by an in-depth tour guide who takes you beyond the sights to a genuine understanding of Mongolia.