Western Mongolia - Mongolia - page 551

agencies might have them for hire, but expect to pay at least 30% more than for a good
Russian jeep).
Travelling speed Jeeps and minivans are an important form of local transport, and are
mandatory when visiting more-remote attractions. They can typically only travel between
30km/h and 50km/h. The Gobi region generally has the best roads and here you can av-
erage 60km/h.
THE MINIVAN WAITING GAME
A real problem with share vehicles is that they are privately operated and won't
leave until they are packed tighter than a sardine tin. The waiting game sometimes
has the effect of turning your hair grey.
In the countryside, most vans just park at the local market and wait for passen-
gers to turn up, which means that if the van isn't already mostly full you'll be wait-
ing around all day for the seats to fill up, if they ever do.
Typically, even after the 11-seat van has 20 or so passengers, the driver will van-
ish for an hour or two for lunch, or to find more cargo, spare parts and petrol.
One solution is to ask the driver to pick you up at your hotel or the local internet
cafe when they are ready to go, which they usually agree to. If you have a mobile
phone, give the driver your number and they will call you when they are ready to go.
The waiting time from Ulaanbaatar isn't as bad, but you can still count on two
hours or more.
Share Minivan & Jeep
Share jeeps and minivans are the most common form of public transport in Mongolia.
Destinations Private vehicles go from Ulaanbaatar to all aimag capitals, major cities and
tourist destinations. Less frequent and reliable services operate between most aimag cap-
itals, but very few jeeps go to the sums .
Bring For a long-distance trip bring snacks and water; stops at a roadside guanz
(canteen or cheap restaurant) can be few and far between.
Breakdowns You can expect at least one breakdown and it would be a good idea to bring
a sleeping bag and warm clothes just in case you have to spend the night somewhere.
Discomfort Long-distance travel of over 10 hours is fiendishly uncomfortable. Most
people who take a long-distance minivan to Mörön or Dalanzadgad end up flying back.
Cost Minivan or jeep fares are usually about 10% more than a bus fare, largely because
they can drive faster than a bus.
Postal vans In the countryside, the post office operates postal vans, which accept pas-
sengers. They have fixed departure times, normally running once a week between an