Overview
Mongolia is one of Asia's last great wildernesses — a land of rolling steppe, the Gobi Desert, nomadic herders on horseback and a fast-changing capital, Ulaanbaatar. There are no direct flights from the UK, so every trip involves one connection, but the country is very reachable with a single stop. This page pulls together live fare data, seasonal trends and route information to help you plan the journey and find cheap flights to Mongolia.
Best time to fly to Mongolia
Summer, from June to early September, is the peak season: days are warm, the steppe is green and the famous Naadam Festival takes place in mid-July. It is also the busiest and priciest window, so book well ahead. Late May and September bring mild weather and thinner crowds. Winters are spectacular but brutally cold, often below -20°C, which keeps airfares at their lowest — check the When to book chart above to compare months.
Main gateway cities & airports
Almost all visitors arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), opened in 2021 and located about 50km south of Ulaanbaatar, roughly an hour by road. It is Mongolia's only significant international gateway. From there, domestic carriers such as Aero Mongolia and Hunnu Air link the capital with Dalanzadgad (for the Gobi), Ölgii in the Altai, Mörön (for Lake Khövsgöl) and Khovd.
Airlines and routes
The most convenient one-stop routings from the UK are via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, which flies onward to Ulaanbaatar, or via Frankfurt with Lufthansa connecting to MIAT Mongolian Airlines, the national carrier. Other connecting options run through Seoul with Korean Air or Beijing with Air China. Typical total journey time from London is around 14–17 hours including the layover; from Manchester allow a little longer, as you will usually route via Istanbul, Frankfurt or Amsterdam first.
Popular places to visit in Mongolia
- Ulaanbaatar: Gandan Monastery, the National Museum and Chinggis Khaan Square in a rapidly modernising capital.
- Gobi Desert: the Khongoryn Els sand dunes and the Flaming Cliffs, where dinosaur eggs were first discovered.
- Lake Khövsgöl: a vast, clear alpine lake near the Siberian border, ringed by forest and mountains.
- Orkhon Valley: a UNESCO-listed landscape with waterfalls and the ruins of Karakorum, Genghis Khan's old capital.
- Gorkhi-Terelj National Park: dramatic rock formations and the giant Chinggis Khaan equestrian statue, an easy trip from the city.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Mongolia
- Travel in the shoulder months of May, September or October, when fares to Ulaanbaatar drop sharply against the July peak.
- Compare Istanbul and Frankfurt routings — the price gap between carriers on the same dates can be significant.
- Book two to five months ahead for summer travel; seats on the Ulaanbaatar legs are limited and sell out early.
- Use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest departure days and set an alert before you commit.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders can currently enter Mongolia visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, though this is a temporary arrangement — always check the latest FCDO travel advice and your passport validity before booking. The currency is the Mongolian tögrög (MNT); carry cash for travel outside Ulaanbaatar, where cards are rarely accepted. For the best choice of fares and connections, book a few months in advance and refer to the When to book chart above.
