Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Mongolia

Direct flight routes to Mongolia

There are no direct flights between Australasia and Mongolia. All routes require at least one connection.

Layover/stopover options

Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Korean Air hub offering most reliable connections to Ulaanbaatar, typically with 3-5 hour layovers. Modern airport with excellent transit facilities and free city tours for longer layovers.

Beijing Capital (PEK) – Air China’s main hub connecting to Ulaanbaatar with average 4-hour layovers. Requires Chinese transit visa for most passengers. Terminal 3 offers comprehensive facilities for transit passengers.

Hong Kong (HKG) – MIAT Mongolian Airlines operates seasonal flights from here. Efficient transit processes and excellent shopping options. Minimum connection time of 3 hours recommended.

Time vs money

Single-connection flights via Seoul or Beijing typically offer the best value for money. Multi-stop options through Southeast Asian hubs can reduce costs by 20-30% but double the total journey time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book Seoul connections through Korean Air for seamless baggage transfer and better connection protection.


• Consider overnight layovers in Seoul or Hong Kong to break up the journey and explore these cities.


• Avoid Beijing connections during winter months due to frequent weather delays.


• Summer flights (June-August) typically cost 30-40% more than shoulder season travel.


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures often offer lower fares and less crowded connecting flights.

• Korean Air offers the best value-comfort ratio for Mongolia routes, with flights from Sydney and Brisbane to Ulaanbaatar via Seoul starting at AUD 1,200 in Economy. Their A330 and B787 aircraft feature modern cabins with 33-inch pitch in Economy. The Seoul layover can be turned into a free stopover program with hotel accommodation for stays over 12 hours.
• MIAT Mongolian Airlines operates seasonal direct flights from Singapore to Ulaanbaatar, creating an opportunity to combine a Southeast Asian vacation with Mongolia travel. Connections from Australia via Singapore Airlines or Qantas to MIAT’s service can result in savings of up to 20% compared to other routing options.
• Turkish Airlines provides an alternative western routing via Istanbul, with competitive Premium Economy fares around AUD 2,800 from Melbourne and Sydney. Their long-haul aircraft offer superior legroom (38-inch pitch) and wider seats (19 inches) in Premium Economy, making the lengthy journey more comfortable.
• Air China offers the lowest average fares from Auckland to Ulaanbaatar via Beijing, typically 15-20% below market average. However, consider the lengthy layover in Beijing, which can range from 8 to 14 hours, and the basic service standards.
• Aeroflot’s resumption of Australia-Moscow flights in 2024 creates a new routing option to Mongolia with fares up to 25% lower than established carriers. Their A350 aircraft feature updated interiors and improved comfort, though routing through Moscow adds significant travel time.

1. Ignoring transit visa requirements Many travelers fail to secure necessary transit visas when flying through China (common route via Beijing or Guangzhou) or Russia (via Moscow) en route to Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar.
2. Booking during Naadam Festival without planning ahead Flights to Mongolia during the national Naadam Festival (early-mid July) are significantly more expensive and often fully booked months in advance, catching last-minute travelers off guard.
3. Not considering seasonal route limitations Some airlines only operate flights to Mongolia during summer months (June-September), leaving travelers with limited and potentially more expensive options during winter.
4. Overlooking Chinggis Khaan Airport’s location The main international airport in Ulaanbaatar is located 52km from the city center, yet travelers often don’t account for the lengthy transfer time when planning their arrival.
5. Booking separate tickets on non-partner airlines When booking separate flight segments to Mongolia through different non-allied airlines, travelers risk missing connections and losing baggage as there’s no inter-airline baggage transfer agreement.

Korean Air

Best for: Most comfortable Economy seats among Asian carriers with 33-34 inch pitch and excellent recline.

Operates from 5 Australasian airports to Ulaanbaatar (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland) via Seoul Incheon. Most popular routes are from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Korean Air offers well-timed connections with layovers typically under 4 hours in Seoul. Their Economy Class features above-average meals with both Korean and Western options, and consistently receives passenger ratings above 4/5 for long-haul comfort.

Air China

Best for: Most frequent connections to Mongolia with multiple daily flights from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar.

Serves 4 Australasian airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland) with Beijing connection to Ulaanbaatar. Main traffic flows through Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane routes. While seat comfort is standard (31-32 inch pitch), Air China offers competitive prices and reliable schedules. Economy Class meals are decent though not exceptional, with passenger satisfaction ratings averaging 3.5/5.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines

Best for: Only airline offering direct flights to Mongolia from select Asian hubs, reducing total travel time.

Connects through 3 Australasian airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland) via Seoul or Beijing. Most passengers fly through Sydney and Melbourne routes. Though limited in frequency, MIAT provides authentic Mongolian service and cuisine. Economy Class offers standard comfort (32 inch pitch) with overall passenger ratings of 3.7/5.

Cathay Pacific

Best for: Superior inflight entertainment system and best-rated Economy Class meals among carriers serving Mongolia routes.

Operates from 6 Australasian airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland) to Ulaanbaatar via Hong Kong. Busiest routes are from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. While connections can be longer (sometimes 5-6 hours in Hong Kong), Cathay Pacific compensates with excellent service quality. Economy Class offers 32 inch seat pitch and consistently receives 4+ out of 5 passenger ratings for meal quality and overall experience.

Breaking up long-haul flights to Mongolia

Traveling from Australia or New Zealand to Mongolia can be expensive when booking with major carriers, but using regional Asian airlines strategically can reduce costs significantly.

Key money-saving strategies

1. Book separate tickets instead of a single itinerary. First, fly to a major Asian hub like Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur using budget carriers like Jetstar or AirAsia.
2. From these hubs, utilize low-cost regional carriers to reach destinations closer to Mongolia. Korean Air and Air China often offer competitive rates to Ulaanbaatar.
3. Consider a multi-city approach through either Beijing or Seoul, which typically offer the most economical routes to Mongolia’s capital.

Important considerations

While this strategy can save up to 40% on airfare, remember to allow sufficient connection time between flights, as separate tickets mean self-managed connections. Also factor in potential visa requirements for stopover countries.

Best booking windows are typically 3-4 months ahead, with shoulder season travel (May or September) offering optimal pricing for both regional and long-haul segments.