Need cash when I land, best place in Mongolia? Airport or places in the city?
When I landed in Ulaanbaatar, I made the mistake of exchanging $100 at the airport desk and got less tugrik than I would have in town. Later, I used a Khan Bank ATM near my guesthouse and it worked perfectly. Out in Terelj National Park, cash was the only option - no cards. Since then, I always withdraw from airport ATMs on arrival, just enough to cover rides, and then rely on city banks for the rest. Counters are last resort.
Airport exchange counters in Ulaanbaatar are okay for emergencies but usually weaker than banks in the city. Mongolia is still cash-heavy, so you’ll need tugrik for daily expenses. ATMs from Khan Bank, Golomt Bank, and TDB are your safest option. They’re available at the airport and in Ulaanbaatar. If you carry USD, you can exchange it at banks in the city at fairer rates. Best plan: withdraw a little at the airport ATM for taxis, then top up in town.
I never rely heavily on airport counters in Mongolia. ATMs from Khan Bank or Golomt Bank at the airport work fine with Visa and Mastercard. Later in Ulaanbaatar, I found plenty of bank ATMs in the city that gave me tugrik at the official rate. Cash is essential if you’re heading into the countryside since cards won’t work. I withdrew 200,000 MNT at the airport and it lasted me several days. Exchanging USD at banks in town gives slightly better rates.
At Chinggis Khaan Airport in Ulaanbaatar, exchange counters are there but the rates aren’t great. ATMs from Khan Bank, Golomt Bank, and Trade & Development Bank are more reliable. They dispense tugrik at official rates, and you’ll need cash since many places don’t take cards outside the capital. I normally withdraw 100,000 MNT at the airport to cover taxis and first meals, then use city ATMs for bigger amounts. Counters are okay for small exchanges if you bring USD.