Quick Facts About Mongolia
General Information
- • Capital: Ulaanbaatar
- • Currency: Tugrik (MNT)
- • Languages: Mongolian, Kazakh
- • Population: 3.4 million
- • Area: 1,564,110 km²
- • Time Zone: UTC+8
Travel Information
- • Best Time: June-September
- • Power Plug: Type C/E (220V)
- • Emergency: 102 (Police), 103 (Ambulance)
- • Calling Code: +976
- • Visa: 30 days visa-free for many
- • Main Airport: UBN (Chinggis Khaan)
Benefits of eSIM for Mongolia Travel
eSIM vs Traditional SIM Comparison
✅ eSIM Advantages
- • Works immediately at Chinggis Khaan Airport
- • No need to find SIM shops in UB
- • Survives extreme temperature changes
- • Perfect for remote ger camp stays
- • Easy to manage multiple plans
- • Keep your number for emergencies
❌ Traditional SIM Issues
- • Language barriers at shops
- • Limited availability outside UB
- • Can be damaged by dust/cold
- • Registration requirements
- • Lose home number access
- • Risk of incorrect plan activation
Key Benefits for Mongolia
Vast Coverage
Works across the endless steppes and desert regions
Adventure Ready
Essential for horse treks and Gobi Desert expeditions
Ger Camp Connected
Stay in touch even at remote nomadic camps
Railway Coverage
Perfect for Trans-Mongolian journey updates
Weather Resistant
No physical card to damage in extreme conditions
Cultural Bridge
Translation apps work anywhere with signal
Mongolia eSIM Pricing & Plans
🏇 Loading Current Mongolia eSIM Prices...
Installation Guide
Pro Tip: Install your eSIM before leaving Ulaanbaatar or while on hotel WiFi. This ensures you're connected for remote adventures where help might be far away!
📱 iPhone Installation
- 1.Go to Settings → Cellular → Add Cellular Plan
- 2.Scan the QR code from your eSIM purchase
- 3.Label your plan (e.g., "Mongolia Adventure")
- 4.Set as your default data line
- 5.Turn on Data Roaming (required for eSIM)
🤖 Android Installation
- 1.Go to Settings → Network & Internet
- 2.Tap "+" next to Mobile Network
- 3.Select "Download a SIM instead?"
- 4.Scan QR code and follow prompts
- 5.Enable the new eSIM profile
Network Coverage Details
Coverage Areas
Good Coverage
- • Ulaanbaatar & suburbs
- • Major towns (Darkhan, Erdenet)
- • Tourist ger camps
- • Main highways
- • Popular national parks
- • Trans-Mongolian route
Limited/No Coverage
- • Deep Gobi Desert areas
- • Remote mountain regions
- • Far western provinces
- • Some steppe interiors
- • Wilderness camping areas
Network Speed
4G LTE available in Ulaanbaatar and major towns. 3G coverage in rural areas. Remote regions may have 2G or no signal. Download offline maps and translation apps before heading to remote areas.
Travel Recommendations
Gobi Desert Explorer
Duration: 7-10 days
Recommended: 5-10GB
Essential for desert tours. Maps work offline, but data helps with weather updates and emergency contact.
Nomadic Experience
Duration: 10-14 days
Recommended: 10GB
Perfect for ger stays and cultural immersion. Share experiences and translate with host families.
Trans-Mongolian Journey
Duration: 5-7 days
Recommended: 5GB
Ideal for railway adventures. Coverage at stations, limited between stops. Download entertainment beforehand.
Adventure Trekker
Duration: 14-21 days
Recommended: 15GB
Great for hiking and horse treks. Emergency connectivity and weather updates in remote areas.
Festival Visitor
Duration: 5-7 days
Recommended: 10GB
Naadam or Eagle Festival focus. Heavy social media use and video sharing of cultural events.
Photography Expedition
Duration: 14+ days
Recommended: 20GB+
Wildlife and landscape photography. Cloud backup and location scouting across vast territories.
Must-Visit Places in Mongolia
🏔️ Natural Wonders
- • Gobi Desert: Vast desert with dinosaur fossils
- • Lake Khövsgöl: "Blue Pearl" pristine alpine lake
- • Altai Mountains: Snow leopard habitat
- • Orkhon Valley: UNESCO waterfall site
- • Terelj National Park: Rock formations near UB
- • Khustai Park: Wild Przewalski horses
🏛️ Cultural Sites
- • Gandan Monastery: Active Buddhist center
- • Erdene Zuu: Ancient monastery ruins
- • Chinggis Khaan Statue: 40m tall monument
- • Naadam Festival: Traditional sports (July)
- • Eagle Hunting: Kazakh tradition (October)
- • Nomadic Families: Authentic ger stays
Network Providers in Mongolia
Unitel
- • Best coverage
- • 4G LTE leader
- • Tourist friendly
- • Widest reach
Mobicom
- • Strong network
- • Good speeds
- • Urban focus
- • Reliable service
G-Mobile
- • Growing network
- • Competitive prices
- • 4G expansion
- • Basic coverage
Skytel
- • Budget option
- • Limited areas
- • 3G focus
- • Basic service
Troubleshooting Common Issues
📵 No Signal in Remote Areas
This is normal in Mongolia's vast wilderness. Download offline maps and essential info before leaving populated areas. Consider satellite devices for true wilderness expeditions.
🌡️ Phone Not Working in Cold
Mongolia's extreme cold can affect phone batteries. Keep your device warm inside your jacket. The eSIM itself is unaffected by temperature.
🏕️ Weak Signal at Ger Camps
Tourist ger camps usually have basic coverage. Try moving to higher ground or open areas for better signal. Most camps also offer WiFi as backup.
Emergency Contacts
🚨 Emergency Numbers
- • Police: 102
- • Fire: 101
- • Ambulance: 103
- • Emergency Rescue: 105
- • Tourist Helpline: 1900-1313
- • SOS Medica: +976 11 464325
🏥 Medical Services
- • Intermed Hospital: +976 11 320703
- • UB Songdo Hospital: +976 7012 0100
- • Dental Emergency: +976 11 450015
Cultural Guide & Etiquette
Do's ✅
- • Accept food/drink with right hand
- • Walk clockwise around sacred sites
- • Bring gifts when visiting families
- • Try traditional foods offered
- • Learn basic Mongolian greetings
- • Respect elders and Buddhist customs
Don'ts ❌
- • Don't step on ger threshold
- • Avoid pointing feet at altar/elders
- • Don't refuse offered hospitality
- • Never whistle inside gers
- • Don't touch people's hats
- • Avoid discussing politics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my eSIM work in the Gobi Desert?
Coverage exists near settlements and tourist camps in the Gobi, but vast areas have no signal. Download offline maps and inform someone of your travel plans before venturing into remote areas.
Can I use the eSIM on the Trans-Mongolian Railway?
Yes! You'll have coverage in towns and settlements along the route. Signal may be intermittent in the wilderness between stations, but major stops have good connectivity.
How much data for a 2-week Mongolia trip?
For typical usage with maps, social media, and staying in touch, 10GB should be sufficient. If you'll be in remote areas often, you'll naturally use less data due to limited coverage.
Is the eSIM good for the Naadam Festival?
Absolutely! The festival areas have good coverage. Expect slower speeds due to crowds, but you'll be able to share your amazing experiences of wrestling, archery, and horse racing.
Ready for Your Mongolian Adventure?
Get connected across the Land of Eternal Blue Sky
Compare Mongolia eSIM Plans