Important Information in Case of Emergency

Emergency numbers, public and private hospital information, a complete list of embassies in Ulaanbaatar, and more.

April 18, 2020
Updated: December 20, 2023

Navigating Mongolia, especially Ulaanbaatar, can be tough, especially in an emergency.

Who do you call? Where do you go when something goes wrong? This information is meant to be helpful when it comes to just that. From how to grab a taxi or how to call an ambulance to which hospitals have an English-speaking staff, and which ones don’t.

This quick guide will help you in case of an emergency in Mongolia.

Taxi Information

Hailing a taxi on the street is easy, just throw out your hand and jump into the first car that pulls over. Be prepared to either direct them, give them a common-known location to head for (preferably using the Mongolian name) or show them where you’re going on Google Maps.

The price for a taxi hailed off the street is about 2,000 tugrik per kilometer.

Otherwise, taxi apps like UB cab work great in Ulaanbaatar.

Emergency Phone Numbers

In case of emergency, use the following numbers. If you’re calling from a foreign phone, be sure to include the country code first.

Country code: +976

For medical emergencies, dial 103.

For police, dial 102.

For the Immigration Office, dial 1882.

Hospitals and Medical Emergencies

While public hospitals, like Ulaanbaatar’s Trauma Hospital, are best for around the clock emergencies, private medical facilities such as Intermed Hospital and SOS Medica International Clinic, offer English-speaking and internationally trained medical professionals.

Be aware that private facilities may not have the capacity (or staff) for new patients during “high season” periods of the year, and they also may not be able to treat every emergency, as their facilities, equipment and staff are more limited in what they have to offer.

Treatments at private facilities may be more costly than treatments at public facilities, and there may be longer waiting times at public facilities, as healthcare at public hospitals is provided free to locals in Mongolia. As a foreigner, expect to pay for all treatments, x-rays, tests, surgeries, and the like out of pocket. Most hospitals and facilities accept credit cards for payment.

Once you leave the comforts of the capital, don’t expect to find well-equipped and staffed hospitals in the small soums (towns) that make up the Mongolian countryside. While you may find medical facilities in these small towns, they’ll be limited in staff and available equipment. Don’t expect x-ray machines, MRI scanners, or other expensive medical equipment.

Larger cities such as Murun and Bayan-Ulgii may have better facilities and staff that will be able to treat smaller injuries. Still, the best place for surgeries and more complicated treatments will always be in Ulaanbaatar.

Another critical thing to note is that there are no emergency helicopter evacuation services available in the country. Meaning, if you get trapped in a remote part of the countryside where a car won’t be able to access you and transport you from there to safety, you’re going to have to find your own, alternative way out. Mongolia is not a place to take unnecessary risks or forgo safety gear – take it from a person who flipped a motorcycle and would have died if it weren’t for wearing a helmet.