If you are planning to spend some time exploring Mongolia, having a Mongolian SIM card is not a bad idea. You will need it to have a reliable Internet connection during your Mongolia trip.
In this guide, we will discuss buying a SIM card at Ulan Bator Airport (ULN), including places to buy, the best packages and prices, and the best alternative for a smooth trip.
In this article
Yes. You can buy a SIM card at Ulan Bator airport for immediate Internet access upon arrival.
Buying a Mongolia SIM card at Ulan Bator Airport is not only convenient, but also instant Internet connection when you reach the airport.
However, purchasing a SIM card at the airport often comes with limited plan options and fewer providers, which may not meet your needs. Additionally, the prices are generally higher, making it a more expensive choice compared to buying from local stores.
► Our recommendations:
At Ulan Bator Chinggis Khaan Airport (ULN), you can buy Mongolian SIM cards at stores and kiosks.
Buying a SIM card at Ulan Bator airport upon arrival is also a popular choice among tourists to Mongolia. This airport has a single terminal so it is easy to find stores and kiosks that sell Mongolian SIM cards.
What to prepare: Your passport for ID prood, cash/ credit card, unlocked smartphone
Cost: A bit more pricey than ordering online or buying in Ulan Bator center
Pros: No need to order ahead of your flight, quick Internet access after landing, support from staff
Cons: Shops are not always open late.
After going through immigration and collecting your luggage, you may look for the following stores:
Location: In the arrivals hall, near the exits after baggage claim
Opening hours: Daily from 6am to 10pm
Plans: From Mobicom, Unitel, Skytel – the major carriers. Prices range from $5-15 for SIM and prepaid credit. Can use phone right away.
Location: F1, Public Area
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 07:30-19:30, Saturday-Sunday 07:30-19:30
Plans: Mobicom plans at $5-20 depending on data and validity.
Location: F1, Public area
Opening hours: Daily from 7am to 8pm
Plans: Unitel SIM cards and find travel packages. Assistance in English is available.
Pro Tips:
No, SIM card shops at Ulan Bator Airport generally do not stay open after midnight. While airport hours vary, most shops and services inside the airport close around 8 PM to midnight, including SIM card kiosks.
This means if you arrive late at night, you might not be able to buy a SIM card from those stores.
Good to know: ₮1000 MNT = $0.289 USD and $1 USD = ₮ 3.450 MNT (January, 2024)
You can buy a SIM card at Ulan Bator Airport for just ₮ 1500, which includes 1 GB of data per day foreach day. Below is a popular data plan from Indosat that you might consider:
Mobicom and Unitel are the largest network carriers in Mongolia. Here are some of the SIM card plans offered at Ulan Bator Airport:
| Operator | Data/ Credit | Validity | Price |
| Mobicom | 500GB of data (15 days), 5000 units of credit | 90 days | 20,000 MNT |
| Mobicom | 1.1GB of data (30 days), 10000 units of credit | 90 days | 35,000 MNT |
| Unitel | 3GB of data, 5000 units of credit | 5 days | 15,000 MNT |
| Unitel | 5GB of data, 10,000 units of credit | 10 days | 25,000 MNT |
Important Notes:
To buy a SIM card at Ulan Bator airport smoothly, you need to bring these items with you:
Although getting a local SIM card is an option, the process can be complicated, and many tourists are reluctant to share personal information. A more convenient alternative is to purchase an international SIM card online before your trip or opt for an eSIM, which doesn’t require passport details.
Pro Tip: Don’t worry if you don’t know much - The staff at airport SIM stores will give your friendly support. They will set up and then activate your Mongolian SIM card so you do not need to bring a special SIM removal tool.
Given the drawbacks of buying a SIM card at Bali Airport, such as limited options and overpriced services, eSIM is currently your best option.
In addition to the prepaid physical SIM card, eSIM for Mongolia is also known as the best alternative to stay connected during your trip thanks to its outstanding features:
If you are looking for a trusted provider to purchase an eSIM for Mongolia, then Gigago will be a perfect option. Gigago offers various Mongolian eSIM data plan options, starting from the 7-day plan with 1GB of data for only $9.9, much cheaper than the SIM cards for Mongolia offered at Ulan Bator Airport.
Yes. You can buy SIM card outside Ulan Bator Airport at some stores, such as: Mobicom stores (on Peace Ave in Sukhbaatar district,…), Unitel stores (Chinggis Ave in Sukhbaatar, Baga Toiruu,…); mobile store outlets (Golomt, My Net, etc); gas stations (Petrovis, Altan Ude, etc.); shopping mall counters (Centerra Mall, State Department stores), etc.
What to prepare: unlocked phone, cash in MNT/ USD, credit card, passport
Cost: often 10-15% cheaper than airports but need to move to the city center, around $5-15 depending on the data package.
► Our recommendations:
You may look for SIM card kiosks located in the arrivals hall near the exits after baggage claim.
You need to show your passport for ID proof. Remember to prepare cash in MNT/ USD, and an unlocked phone.
The activation process is really quick, usually around 5-10 minutes to set up account and credit.
To sum up, tourists to Mongolia can easily get a SIM card at Ulan Bator airport, in the city center, or preorder online before their flight. An eSIM for Mongolia is also a wise choice thanks to its great value and budget-friendly rate. Remember to choose the plan that best fits your needs and preferences.
Tourists planning a trip to Mongolia should not ignore this blog, as it will explore data roaming in Mongolia and compare the costs and features of roaming versus the best alternatives to get Internet for tourists. By learning about available alternatives and how to enable or disable roaming, travelers can choose the most cost-effective solution to stay connected while exploring Mongolia.
With limited cell service and few Internet cafes, a pocket Wifi in Mongolia can be a lifesaver for tourists who need to navigate tourist spots as well as unfamiliar terrain.
Unitel SIM cards or eSIM offer reliable connectivity for calls, texts, and Internet access nearly anywhere in the country.
Getting MobiCom SIM cards or eSIMs is an easy way to stay connected while exploring the vast grasslands and cultural gems of this beautiful country.
There are several cellular internet providers and Skytel is one of the major ones. Tourists may buy affordable Skytel SIM cards and eSIMs for easy Internet access during their trips to Mongolia.
Getting a SIM card is a great way to stay connected with your family and friends back home and use navigation, transport, delivery, and social media apps for a wonderful trip in Ulaanbaatar.