Buses in Mongolia | Local & Regional Bus Booking, Payments & Schedules

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Buses in Mongolia: Local & Regional Booking, Payments and Schedules

Buses in Mongolia are one of the most affordable and widely used forms of transportation for both locals and travelers, connecting Ulaanbaatar, provincial capitals, towns, and rural communities across the country. From city buses operating within urban areas to long-distance regional routes linking vast steppe regions, Mongolia’s bus system plays a critical role in everyday mobility. This guide explains how bus travel works in Mongolia, including booking options, payment methods, schedules, and practical tips to help you navigate local, regional, and intercity buses with confidence.

⚠️ IMPORTANT – GET UNITEL SIM CARD TO ACCESS GOOGLE MAPS & STAY IN CONTACT WITH US: To make your travel in Mongolia is super easy, buy a local Unitel SIM Card (with plenty of internet data – don’t go cheap on this, get 40+ GBS) via Central Tower next to the main square (the one with the Marco Polo statue), you can easily click on the maps below to track your current location in relation to below instructions via Google Maps.

⚠️ Important: No refunds are issued for missed buses under Mongolian Government policy (and GER to GER policy, which follows government mandates).

If you miss this bus (including the last bus of the day), you must notify us immediately. You may either wait for the next bus (that day or next day) or arrange a local driver (taxi-style service) at your own expense and own risk.

All costs resulting from a missed bus, and/or bus related issues, (accommodation, food, transport, missed flights or trains, etc.) are the traveler’s responsibility.

Taking Terelj Bus via Офицеруудын ордон Bus Stop

🚌 Ulaanbaatar to Terelj Bus (Офицеруудын ордон → Тэрэлж 6-р хороо)

The Terelj bus route from Офицеруудын ордон (Officers’ Palace) Bus Stop to Тэрэлж 6-р хороо Bus Stop is the most common and affordable way to travel from Ulaanbaatar to Gorkhi–Terelj National Park. Used daily by local residents and visitors, this route connects the city directly to Terelj village, making stops along the main road before reaching the 6th khoroo area. Buses operate on fixed schedules, accept local payment methods, and are ideal for day trips or longer stays in Terelj.

Get Off/Get On Point in Terelj:

What to do:

  • Take taxi to Ulaanbaatar to Офицеруудын ордон bus stop
  • Wait till the Тэрэлж bus arrives (summer schedule to be confirmed)
  • Board the bus and pay the Fare in cash (approx. 2,000 Turgrugs – bring extra cash in case eg 200,000 Tugrugs for emergency taxi etc.)
  • Typical travel time is around 2 hours
  • Schedule ranges (weekday/weekend)
  • When you pass the Terelj Luxury Resort (to your right), you will see a small shop (to your right) with a parking area next to green-ish secondary school with paintings on it – this is your get off/get on point for the buses.
  • Same location for return trip to Ulaanbaatar  (Terelj → Ulaanbaatar)
 

⚠️ Important:

Terelj operates one main bus per day. If you miss this bus (including the last bus of the day), you must notify us immediately. You may either wait for the next day’s bus or arrange a local driver (taxi-style service) at your own expense.

Local drivers can take you directly to Ulaanbaatar or to Nalaikh, where you can transfer to another taxi or wait for a regular Ulaanbaatar bus.

Regional Buses via Dragon Bus Terminal (Ulaanbaatar City)

🚌 Ulaanbaatar City & Intercity Buses via Dragon Bus Terminal

Dragon Bus Terminal is Ulaanbaatar’s primary state-operated and state-managed bus hub, serving both city-edge routes and long-distance intercity travel across Mongolia. Functioning much like the Greyhound bus system in the United States, Dragon Terminal centralizes ticketing, schedules, and departures in one regulated location, providing predictable, standardized bus services for passengers traveling between Ulaanbaatar and provincial destinations.

Buses departing from Dragon Terminal follow fixed timetables, operate under national transport regulations, and connect the capital to major aimags (provinces), regional centers, and transit corridors. This terminal is the main departure point for travelers heading west, south, and central Mongolia, making it a critical node in the country’s public transportation network.

What to do:

  • We’ll be going online to purchase your trip tickets (one way or round-trip) via National Road Transport Center’s website National Road Transport Center’s website (in English for your reference) – to which we’ll pass it on to you.
  • Below we have provided the details of which bus as well as information on when you should depart to make it to your rural destination “on time” to meet your local driver that will take you to your nomadic family.

  • Take a taxi to the Ulaanbaatar Dragon Bus Terminal. Due to traffic, plan to leave your hotel/hostel at least 2 hours early. You must arrive and be ready to board 30 minutes before departure.

    ⚠️ Important: No refunds are issued for missed buses under Mongolian Government policy (and GER to GER policy, which follows government mandates).

    If you miss your bus, you must notify us immediately, purchase a new ticket, and wait for the next departure. All costs resulting from a missed bus, and/or bus related issues, (accommodation, food, transport, missed flights or trains, etc.) are the traveler’s responsibility.

  • Outside the main entrance of the terminal is where the buses line up for departure.
  • Check your bus’s plate number and destination before boarding.
  • Once you’ve located the correct bus, you may have to put your luggage below (request driver’s assistance).
  • Board bus, refer to your ticket for assigned seating number.
  • Same location for return trip to Ulaanbaatar  (Drop Off Location → Ulaanbaatar).

Get Off/Get On Point in Rashaant:

Elsen Tasarkhai – Bus Drop-Off & Pick-Up Information (Important)

There is no officially marked bus stop at Elsen Tasarkhai (local bus area is called “Rashaant”). Travelers must pay close attention when getting on and off the bus.

Purchase Tickets via:

General Drop-Off Location:

Mini-market and roadside motel area, Ulaanshiveet, Bulgan

General Pick-Up Location:

Opposite side of the road, along the highway heading toward Ulaanbaatar

Which Bus to Use

  • Bus to Elsen Tasarkhai: Look for buses with “Uvurkhangai” (Өвөрхангай) displayed on the front window
  • Bus back to Ulaanbaatar: Look for buses marked “Ulaanbaatar”

 

⚠️ Important: Always check the bus plate and destination sign in the front window before boarding. Buses stop briefly, and drivers may not announce locations.

Get Off/Get On Point in Murun:

Murun Transit Terminal – Khövsgöl Province

Murun has an official, state-operated transit terminal, making arrivals and departures straightforward and well organized.

Purchase Tickets via 

 

This terminal is the primary gateway for the Khuvsgul Nomadic Experience:

  • A local driver will meet and greet you here for pick-up, and/or
  • You will be dropped off here at the end of your journey
  • This is also where you will begin your return trip to Ulaanbaatar

Tickets to / from Ulaanbaatar (Улаанбаатар)

You have two options:

  • Purchase tickets online via the National Transit website (recommended), or
  • Buy tickets onsite at the Murun Transit Terminal

 

⚠️ Important: Khuvsgul (Хөвсгөл) is one of Mongolia’s busiest destinations for both domestic and international travelers. To guarantee a seat, we strongly recommend booking online in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

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