Major city · Mongolia
HovdХовд
Go for 2 nights as a western loop stop: museum, main square, petroglyphs behind the airport. Fly in, don't bus 24 h from Ulaanbaatar.
Hovd (Khovd) is the capital of Hovd province in far western Mongolia, a town of about 26,000–30,000 people on the Buyant river, ringed by the Altai. It is a transport hub for western Mongolia and a base for Kazakh and Uriankhai culture, not a sight-heavy destination. Two nights covers the museum, the main square and the petroglyphs; most travellers pass through on the way to Ölgii or the Altai.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MNT
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (deep cold, −25 °C (−13 °F) and below)avoid Nov–Mar (deep cold, −13 °F (−25 °C) and below)
- Airport
- HVD
- Nights
- 2
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.
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 Hovd102 ▾
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 Hovd, 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
- SafetyHovd is a quiet provincial town and feels safe by day; the real risks are winter cold…
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.
- AirportHVD Hovd Airport (About 6 km (3.7 mi) south of the centre; flights from Ulaanbaatar with Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia, roughly 2 h).HVD Hovd Airport (About 3.7 mi (6 km) south of the centre; flights from Ulaanbaatar with Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia, roughly 2 h).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable: main square, big boots intersection, market and airport are the four anchors.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealMain course in a mid-range restaurant₮4,500–14,000
- Street or quick mealHuushur or noodle soup₮3,000–6,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi around town, per km₮500
- Budget bedGuesthouse bed, a night, per personMNT 15,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMNT 80,000
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMNT 150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MNT 40,000 · Mid MNT 80,000 · High MNT 150,000
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
- HVD Hovd Airport (About 6 km (3.7 mi) south of the centre; flights from Ulaanbaatar with Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia, roughly 2 h)HVD Hovd Airport (About 3.7 mi (6 km) south of the centre; flights from Ulaanbaatar with Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia, roughly 2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
Feb
Avoid
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (67°F)67°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (80°F)80°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (76°F)76°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (65°F)65°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Nov
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Dec
Avoid
−12°C (11°F)11°F (−12°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (80°F)80°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−28°C (−18°F)−18°F (−28°C) low), wettest Jul (35 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hovd: 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
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
−28°C (−18°F)−18°F (−28°C)
1 rd
Feb
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
−23°C (−10°F)−10°F (−23°C)
2 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−11°C (11°F)11°F (−11°C)
3 rd
Apr
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (67°F)67°F (20°C)
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
14 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
26 rd
Jul
26°C (80°F)80°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
35 rd
Aug
25°C (76°F)76°F (25°C)
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
26 rd
Sep
19°C (65°F)65°F (19°C)
5°C (40°F)40°F (5°C)
10 rd
Oct
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−3°C (26°F)26°F (−3°C)
4 rd
Nov
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−13°C (8°F)8°F (−13°C)
2 rd
Dec
−12°C (11°F)11°F (−12°C)
−23°C (−9°F)−9°F (−23°C)
2 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
The town is walkable: main square, big boots intersection, market and airport are the four anchors. A taxi around town is about ₮500 per km; agree the fare first. For soums and neighbouring aimags, shared jeeps and UAZ vans leave from around the central market — ask drivers, as most have no signs.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Baatar Khairkhan mountain petroglyphs
goDoor to door: Half a day
Taxi or walk south past the airport, about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the centreTaxi or walk south past the airport, about 3.7 mi (6 km) from the centre
Red-ochre rock art on the south and southwest slopes; the same mountain where the 1912 attack on the Manchu garrison was launched.
Tsenkheriin Agui cave paintings, Mankhan soum
cautionDoor to door: 2 days
Shared jeep from the central market, then local transport
About 100 km (62 mi) southeast; the best-known cave art in the aimag, but it needs an overnight and a driver who knows the site.About 62 mi (100 km) southeast; the best-known cave art in the aimag, but it needs an overnight and a driver who knows the site.
Ölgii
overnightDoor to door: About 7 h
Shared van from the market
Vans are crowded and leave late; plan to arrive after dark.
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.
Main square and government building
Hotels, the theatre and the museum within a few minutes' walk; best for a short stay.
Central market area
Cheaper guesthouses and the market; 3 blocks south of the big boots intersection.
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
- ₮40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₮70,000–130,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₮130,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × MNT 80,000 | MNT 160,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MNT 80,000 | MNT 320,000 |
| Airport taxi, one way1 × MNT 10,000 · check | MNT 10,000 |
| Museum entry2 × MNT 2,000 · check | MNT 4,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MNT 30,000 · check | MNT 60,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MNT 55,400 |
| Trip total≈ MNT 152,400 per person per day, bed included | MNT 609,400 |
2026 estimate in tögrög; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Milk tea (suutai tsai) | ₮1,000–2,000 |
| Huushur or noodle soup | ₮3,000–6,000 |
| Main course in a mid-range restaurant | ₮4,500–14,000 |
| Taxi around town, per km | ₮500 |
| Shared jeep to a nearby soumDepends on distance; pay the driver directly. | ₮1,500–25,000 |
| Traditional deel, made to ordercheck | ₮35,000–40,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The central market is closed on Thursdays, so shared vehicles to soums are hard to find that day.
- Most ATMs do not take Mastercard; Visa is more reliable, and euro exchange is difficult.
- Domestic flight timetables are often out of date — reconfirm with the airline before you travel.
- Winter is extreme: −25 °C (−13 °F) and below from November to March.Winter is extreme: −13 °F (−25 °C) and below from November to March.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 102
- Ambulance
- 103
- Fire
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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HovdХовд
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Энэ хаяг руу явна ууTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police102
- Ambulance103
- Fire101
Embassy
No embassies in Hovd; most countries' embassies are in Ulaanbaatar. Kazakh interests are handled through the Kazakh consulate there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hovd Airport → centre, taxi: about ₮10,000, 10–15 min (check)
- Hovd → Ölgii, shared van: ₮20,000–30,000, about 7 h (check)
- Hovd → Ulaanbaatar, bus: about ₮65,000, 24 h+ (check)
Say or show
- Сайн байна уу — Hello (sain baina uu)
- Баярлалаа — Thank you (bayarlalaa)
- Хэд вэ? — How much is it? (khed ve)
- Зах хаана байна? — Where is the market? (zakh khaana baina)
- Такси хэрэгтэй — I need a taxi (taksi kheregtei)
- Би ойлгохгүй байна — I don't understand (bi oilgokhgui baina)
Print this card before you fly: mobile data is patchy outside town.
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 Hovd. 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 Nov–Mar (deep cold, −25 °C and below) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HVD: flight reconfirmation, taxi fallback, first-night rung.
- Walking clusters for the square, market and museum with opening-hour checks.
- Place pages for the museum, Baatar Khairkhan and Tsenkheriin Agui with verified access notes.
- Soum fare table with market departure points and Thursday closure.
Sources
- officialMongolia Tourism official site
- officialHunnu Air
- officialAero Mongolia
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hovd, revision 5305302 (CC BY-SA 4.0)