Information on making phone calls/using your phone, internet, email, postage and time difference in Mongolia.
Phone Calls & Using Your Phone
Hotels will have phones where you can make calls back home, however please be aware that the cost of these calls may be expensive, and rates will vary between hotels. Therefore, always check the costs and procedure with hotel reception beforehand. Calling from a hotel is almost always the most expensive option. If the hotel does enforce a call charge, you will be unable to refute it after making your call.
Sims cards can be pre-purchased in Australia or purchased on arrival in Mongolia at the airport of Ulaanbaatar, mobile service providers or major convenience stores.
If you wish to use your own sim card from Australia, we recommend that you contact your mobile provider if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated costs before you leave home. Most major providers have an optional add-on charged by the day to use your phone for calls and internet when overseas.
Australia: to call Australia, the international access code is 00, followed by the country code 61, then the local area code (omitting the first 0), then the number.
Mongolia: to call Mongolia, the international access code is 00, followed by the country code 976, then the local area code (omitting the first 0), then the number.
Internet and email
The majority of hotels will have Wi-Fi connections available. Please note that some hotels will only provide free Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby, and internet access in your hotel room may come at an additional cost. There are also Wi-Fi zones in some coffee shops and public spaces.
It is possible to use mobile phone applications such as Skype and WhatsApp through complimentary Wi-Fi connections to contact friends and family back home free of charge.
Please note, Wi-Fi is limited in some areas, especially in the countryside.
Postage
Mongolia’s postal service is reliable, and there are plenty of offices around if you wish to send a letter or postcard home. Postcards and stamps can be purchased from post offices, convenience stores and kiosks at train stations.
Time Difference
Mongolia is 2 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.