Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the time of research, flights between Ölgii and Kazakhstan had been suspen-
ded indefinitely.
Getting There & Away
AIR
The airport is 6km north of the centre, on the opposite side of the river. There is no bus
but you can find cars for hire at the market (T500 per kilometre).
Thursday and Saturday to UB. Prices similar to those at EZ Nis, but less English spoken.
Cash only. The office is on the 2nd floor of Manspaa building.
Ez Nis
Charges T280,000 to T360,000 one way to UB, and flies on Monday, Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday. Staff speak some English, and you should be able to purchase
flights with a Visa card. The office is next to the Telecom Building.
BUS
The nonstop, two- to three-day bus trip to Ulaanbaatar (T80,000, 1636km) leaves daily at
around 2pm, and goes via Khovd (211km), Altai (635km), Bayankhongor (1006km) and
Arvaikheer (1206km). Tickets for the latter destinations are only available if there are
empty seats. The hard-to-find
ticket office
( 8am-5pm)
is in the basement of the Kaza-
kh National Theatre, on the west side of the building. Duck in through a doorway beside
a sign for 'Vision Centre' and you'll find the office down the corridor on the left.
MINIVAN & JEEP
Public shared jeeps to Khovd City (T20,000, six to seven hours) are far more frequent
than those to Ulaangom (T40,000, 10 hours, 300km).
Like the bus, the shared minivans to Ulaanbaatar (T68,000, 60 hours) pass through Al-
tai (T45,000), Bayankhongor (T68,000) and Arvaikheer (T68,000). They assemble at the
road next to the museum.
Hiring a random driver at the Ölgii market is not a good idea - these drivers are not
accountable to anyone and have a reputation for changing prices and itineraries mid-trip.
The Manspaa office and local tour companies will have drivers more familiar with tour-
ists' needs.
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