Chinggis Khaan International Airport

Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Mongolia’s main air arrivals hub, is located 11 miles from Ulan Bator. It’s a base for national carriers Mongolian Airlines, Aero Mongolia, MIAT Mongolian Airlines, and Eznis Airways, and handles just under 700,000 passengers a year. In addition to the four national carriers, the complex serves Aeroflot, Air China, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, and Tianjin Airlines. A new airport located 37 miles from the capital is presently under construction scheduled to open in 2015.

There are no direct flights to any US city, so visitors from America are encouraged to connect in Beijing, Seoul, Moscow, Hong Kong, Singapore, Berlin, Istanbul, or a handful of other Chinese cities. Visitors from the UK face a similar choice, as there are no direct flights from Britain. Air China flies from Beijing, with Aeroflot offering flights to Moscow, MIAT Mongolian serving Singapore and Berlin, and Mongolian Airlines flying from Hong Kong. Korean Air covers Seoul and Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul.

The airport’s facilities are located on three floors with a VIP lounge, ATM and medical center on the ground floor, a business lounge, a bank, currency exchange and café on the first floor and a restaurant and duty-free stores on the third floor. Parking is available next to the terminal and onward transportation to the city is by bus or taxi.

Domestic flights to a number of Mongolian cities including Altai, Khovd, Choibalsan, Donoi, and Olgii are offered at the airport and are the fastest way to get around Mongolia for those with little time and a full agenda. Travelers should note though that foreigners on domestic flights are charged roughly twice what the fare is for local Mongolians.