Money at Chinggis Khaan International (ULN)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Ulaanbaatar uses the MNT (₮). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly ₮80,000–120,000 app. Cash preferred; UBCab/iTaxi apps take card.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Chinggis Khaan International (ULN)?
Mongolia uses the MNT (₮). Airport ATMs dispense MNT directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from ULN to the city cost?
Expected fare on the ULN → Sükhbaatar Square route is roughly ₮80,000–120,000 app. Around ₮150,000+ is already high, and ₮200,000 'flat' is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at ULN?
Not expected. Drivers in Mongolia don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at ULN?
Cash preferred; UBCab/iTaxi apps take card. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of MNT notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at ULN?
Only if you need $10–20 of MNT to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.