Solo travelers
Solo Travel in Mongolia: Options, Costs and Safety
Short answer
Solo travelers in Mongolia usually either join a small shared tour (often organised by Ulaanbaatar guesthouses) to split vehicle costs, or hire a private driver/guide and accept a higher price. A private trip for one is expensive because one person carries the whole vehicle cost. Mongolia is generally safe for solo travelers, including women, with normal precautions — the bigger risks are roads and remoteness.
Mongolia rewards solo travelers — people are welcoming, and the country’s space suits independent spirits. The main challenge is cost: almost everything outside Ulaanbaatar requires a vehicle.
Your options
- Shared group tour. Guesthouses and small operators in Ulaanbaatar run shared trips. Cheapest per person, sociable; quality varies — check the vehicle and how many people share it.
- Find travel partners. Share a private vehicle and driver with 2–4 others.
- Private driver or driver-guide. Total freedom, highest cost for one person.
- Public transport + local arrangements. Long-distance buses connect towns; from there you arrange local drivers. Slow and requires flexibility. See travelling Mongolia independently.
Safety
Mongolia is generally safe. In Ulaanbaatar, watch for pickpockets and be careful at night around bars. In the countryside, the real risks are road accidents, horse falls and being far from medical care. Choose your crew carefully, carry a charged phone and power bank, and have insurance with evacuation cover. More: is Mongolia safe?
Is a private trip worth it solo?
If you have specific interests (photography, riding, a particular region), dates that don’t match group departures, or simply value your own pace — yes, it can be. Otherwise a well-run small group is good value.
Questions travelers ask
Is Mongolia safe for solo female travelers?
Many women travel Mongolia solo without problems. Common advice: take normal city precautions in Ulaanbaatar at night, be cautious around drunk men, choose reputable drivers/guides, and share your itinerary with someone at home.
How can I reduce costs as a solo traveler?
Join a small group trip, or find other travelers to share a private vehicle (guesthouse noticeboards and travel forums are common ways). Choosing a driver-guide rather than two crew also helps.
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