Major city · Mongolia
Altai
Spend 2 days in Altai: one night in town, plus a half‑day day‑trip to the Great Gobi Protected Area.
Altai is a small provincial capital (≈ 18 000 people) on the edge of the Gobi. It offers a few museums, a monastery and easy access to the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Areas A and B. With limited services, a 2‑day stay (night in town, half‑day excursion) gives a taste without over‑extending travel time.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MNT
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (very cold, snow)
- Airport
- LTI
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Mongolia ↗Check entry rules for your passport on the official government e-visa portal; some nationalities enter visa-free for a limited stay, others need an e-visa.
- Mongolia ↗In a ger: step over the threshold (never on it), move clockwise, receive food and drink with the right hand, and do not point your feet at the stove or the altar.
- Mongolia ↗Plan road trips by hours, not kilometres: paved roads are few, and 100 km of dirt track can take three hours.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Altai102 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Altai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mongolian tögrög (MNT, ₮).Mongolia-wide
- SIM or eSIMUnitel, Mobicom, Skytel and G-Mobile sell prepaid SIMs at the airport and in town; bring your passport to register.Mongolia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Mongolia-wide
- TippingRestaurants in Ulaanbaatar: Not expected; round up or leave 5–10% in tourist places if no service charge.Mongolia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mongolia-wide
- SafetyAltai is generally safe for tourists; main risks are extreme weather and remote road conditions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in Ulaanbaatar.Mongolia-wide
- Emergency numbers102 police · 103 ambulance · 101 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckMuseums often close one or two days a week (usually Monday or Tuesday — check each); many countryside sights and ger camps close mid-October to May…Mongolia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLTI Altai Airport (Grass runway; flights to Ulaanbaatar and Bayanhongor (check schedule).).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; taxis or shared micro‑buses from the Dragon Center in Ulaanbaatar arrive daily at noon.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Dariv Bakery₮5,000–7,000
- Street or quick mealPizza slice₮8,000–12,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))₮15,000–20,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry₮2,000–5,000
- Budget bedEntum Hotel room, a night, per roomMNT 30,000
- Mid-range bedEntum Hotel room, a night, per roomMNT 50,000
- High-end bedEntum Hotel room, a night, per roomMNT 80,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MNT 25,000 · Mid MNT 35,000 · High MNT 50,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LTI Altai Airport (Grass runway; flights to Ulaanbaatar and Bayanhongor (check schedule).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−10°C (13°F)13°F (−10°C)
Feb
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Mar
not flagged
−1°C (31°F)31°F (−1°C)
Apr
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
May
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (67°F)67°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
Oct
not flagged
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
Nov
not flagged
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−9°C (17°F)17°F (−9°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−24°C (−12°F)−12°F (−24°C) low), wettest Jul (46 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Altai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−10°C (13°F)13°F (−10°C)
−24°C (−12°F)−12°F (−24°C)
2 rd
Feb
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
2 rd
Mar
−1°C (31°F)31°F (−1°C)
−14°C (6°F)6°F (−14°C)
5 rd
Apr
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
17 rd
Jun
20°C (67°F)67°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
34 rd
Jul
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
46 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
35 rd
Sep
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
1°C (35°F)35°F (1°C)
16 rd
Oct
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
−6°C (20°F)20°F (−6°C)
9 rd
Nov
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−15°C (4°F)4°F (−15°C)
4 rd
Dec
−9°C (17°F)17°F (−9°C)
−22°C (−7°F)−7°F (−22°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; taxis or shared micro‑buses from the Dragon Center in Ulaanbaatar arrive daily at noon. For Gobi trips hire a driver‑guide or join a tour; roads are unpaved.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area A
goDoor to door: ≈ 3 h round‑trip
Hire a 4×4 driver‑guide from town; about 70 km (43 mi) east, 1.5 h driveHire a 4×4 driver‑guide from town; about 43 mi (70 km) east, 1.5 h drive
Remote desert, wildlife spotting; bring water and sun protection.
Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area B
goDoor to door: ≈ 2.5 h round‑trip
Same driver‑guide; 50 km (31 mi) west, 1 h driveSame driver‑guide; 31 mi (50 km) west, 1 h drive
Less visited, similar scenery.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Entum Hotel
Central, basic rooms; good for a night after arrival.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₮25,000–35,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₮35,000–55,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₮55,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Entum Hotel room1 × 1 night × MNT 50,000 | MNT 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MNT 35,000 | MNT 70,000 |
| Flight Ulaanbaatar → Altai (round‑trip)2 × MNT 150,000 · check airline schedule; foreigner surcharge possible. | MNT 300,000 |
| Driver‑guide for Gobi day‑trip (full day)2 × MNT 80,000 · check availability. | MNT 160,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × MNT 30,000 · check provider. | MNT 60,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MNT 64,000 |
| Trip total≈ MNT 352,000 per person per day, bed included | MNT 704,000 |
basic, includes breakfast.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Dariv Bakery | ₮5,000–7,000 |
| Pizza slice | ₮8,000–12,000 |
| Taxi (5 km) | ₮15,000–20,000 |
| Museum entry | ₮2,000–5,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter temperatures drop below –20 °C (68 °F); bring warm gear.Winter temperatures drop below –68 °F (20 °C); bring warm gear.
- Flights may be limited and cost double for foreigners (check airline).
- Cell coverage can be spotty outside town; consider eSIM.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 102
- Ambulance
- 103
- Fire
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AltaiAltai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Энэ хаяг руу хөтлөнө үүTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police102
- Ambulance103
- Fire101
Embassy
US consulate in Ulaanbaatar; other embassies also in the capital.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ulaanbaatar → Altai (bus, Dragon Center): depart noon daily; about 4 h, fare ₮70,000 (check)
- Altai Airport → Entum Hotel (taxi): ≈ ₮15,000–20,000
Say or show
- Сайн байна уу? — Hello (Sain baina uu?)
- Баярлалаа — Thank you (Bayarlalaa)
- Энэ хэд вэ? — How much? (Ene hed ve?)
- Баглаа хойр юу? — Where is the bathroom? (Baglaa khoir yu?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Altai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (very cold, snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel transport contract (check availability).
- Driver‑guide packages for Gobi excursions.
Sources
Ask about Altai
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