How to Fly to Mongolia: Direct Routes to Ulaanbaatar and Tips for Booking

MIAT Mongolian Airlines aircraft

Sain baina uu! I’m Takeshi from Tsogto, a travel company specializing in Mongolia.

Mongolia is not as far away as it looks on the map, but there are fewer flights than to most Asian countries, so it pays to plan. This page explains which cities have direct flights to Mongolia, how to route your trip from your part of the world, and how to book safely and at a good price.

*Routes and schedules change every season. The information below is as of October 2026 — please always check the latest schedules with the airlines.

Your arrival airport: Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN)

International flights to Mongolia land at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (airport code UBN), about 50 km south of central Ulaanbaatar. When you search for flights, use UBN — do not confuse it with the old airport code ULN.

Our tours include pickup from the airport or from your hotel in Ulaanbaatar on Day 1, so once you have your flight, just send us your flight number and arrival time.

Cities with direct flights to Ulaanbaatar

These are the main gateways with non-stop flights to Ulaanbaatar:

  • Seoul (Incheon) — the busiest route, with several airlines (MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and others). Easy to connect from North America, Australia and the rest of Asia.
  • Beijing — Air China and MIAT.
  • Tokyo (Narita) — MIAT and Aero Mongolia, plus extra seasonal flights in summer.
  • Istanbul — Turkish Airlines and MIAT. A convenient one-stop route from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
  • Frankfurt — MIAT’s non-stop flight from Europe.
  • Hong Kong and Shanghai — MIAT (and Spring Airlines from Shanghai).
  • Busan — several Korean airlines.
  • Summer-only flights — in the peak season, MIAT usually adds routes such as Osaka (Kansai), Bangkok and Singapore.

How to route your trip

From North America

The most common routing is one stop via Seoul or Tokyo. Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) is another option from the East Coast.

From Europe

Fly non-stop from Frankfurt with MIAT, or make one stop in Istanbul, Seoul or Beijing.

From Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia

Connect via Seoul or Hong Kong. In summer, the seasonal flights from Singapore and Bangkok can save time.

Check transit rules: if you change planes in a third country, check whether you need a transit visa there, and whether your bags are checked through to Ulaanbaatar. If you buy two separate tickets, leave plenty of time between flights — you may need to collect your bags and check in again.

How to book cheaper flights

① Compare on a flight search site

Start by comparing routes and prices on a search site such as Google Flights or Skyscanner. Try different connecting cities (Seoul, Beijing, Tokyo, Istanbul) — the price difference can be large.

② Book early for summer

Summer (June to August) is the peak season, and the week of the Naadam festival in mid-July is the busiest of all. Seats to Ulaanbaatar are limited, so prices rise as the season approaches. We recommend booking your flights as soon as your tour dates are set.

③ Choose where to buy carefully

Search sites show many booking agents. Our advice, based on more than 10 years of welcoming guests to Mongolia:

  • Buy from the airline or from a well-known booking site that offers customer support in your language.
  • Be careful with very cheap, unknown agents. Some guests have told us that their ticket was cancelled after payment, or was never actually issued.

④ Check your ticket after buying

After paying, make sure your e-ticket has actually been issued. Check that the name on the ticket matches your passport exactly, and that the dates and times are correct. If anything is wrong, contact the seller right away.

Baggage

Baggage allowances differ by airline and fare type, and connecting flights may use the stricter rule. Check the allowance for every flight on your ticket before you pack.

On our riding tours, your main luggage is carried by the support vehicle, so a suitcase is fine. See our summer packing list for what to bring.

Before you book: entry requirements

Many nationalities can visit Mongolia for a short stay without a visa (for example, US citizens), but the rules depend on your nationality and can change. Please check Mongolia’s entry requirements for your passport, and make sure your passport is valid for your whole trip.

Need help?

If you are not sure which flight fits your tour dates — for example, early-morning departures on the last day — feel free to contact us before you book. We are happy to help.