Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport
Mongolia's primary international gateway serving Ulaanbaatar.
- ›The airport is commonly referred to as Chinggis Khaan International Airport, sharing the name with the newer replacement facility.
- ›It sits at an elevation of approximately 1,355 meters (4,446 feet) above sea level.
- ›A new international airport at Khushigt Valley was developed to relieve capacity pressure from Buyant-Ukhaa.
- ›The airport has a single runway designated 14/32.
- ›Mongolia's harsh continental climate, with extreme cold winters, significantly affects airport operations.
Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport, commonly known as Chinggis Khaan International Airport, has served as Mongolia's primary international gateway for decades, situated approximately 18 kilometres southwest of central Ulaanbaatar. The airport sits on the open steppe at an elevation of roughly 1,350 metres, giving it a dramatic, windswept character unlike most urban airports. It handles the majority of Mongolia's international and domestic traffic, connecting Ulaanbaatar to destinations across Asia, Europe, and beyond, though a newer replacement airport has been under phased development nearby.
- International Terminal — Handles all international arrivals and departures with immigration, customs, and limited duty-free retail.
- Domestic Terminal — Serves domestic routes to regional Mongolian cities and towns with basic check-in and waiting facilities.
- Taxi services available from the arrivals area — negotiate fare or use metered cabs
- Ride-hailing via local apps such as Yandex Go
- Minibus (microbus) routes connecting airport to central Ulaanbaatar
- Hotel shuttle buses offered by major properties in the city
- Car rental counters available in the arrivals hall
- Chinggis Khaan Hotel
- Ramada Ulaanbaatar Citycenter
- Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace
- Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel
- Shangri-La Hotel Ulaanbaatar
Food options inside the airport are modest, with a small number of cafés and snack outlets offering Mongolian staples such as buuz and tsuivan alongside basic international fare. Outside the airport, the road into central Ulaanbaatar passes several roadside restaurants and local eateries. Travellers are advised to stock up on snacks before long waits, as terminal dining options can be limited during off-peak hours.
- Carry Mongolian tögrög (MNT) in cash, as card acceptance can be unreliable at smaller airport vendors and taxis.
- Winters in Ulaanbaatar are extreme — dress in heavy layers even when transiting, as terminal heating can be inconsistent.
- Confirm your taxi fare before departure; unofficial drivers often approach arrivals — use designated taxi ranks or pre-arranged transfers.
- Allow extra time for immigration during peak summer tourist season, as queues can grow significantly.
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Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport, formerly called Chinggis Khaan International Airport from 2005 to 2020, is a semi-operational international airport serving Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, situated 18 km (11 mi) southwest of the capital. Largely replaced by a new airport, it currently functions as a backup airport for the former, with a view to being used for flight training as well as for special, charter, and government flights.
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