What is a Furgon? And Why are they Everywhere in Mongolia?

Iconic in look and durability, why the furgon is the preferred mode of transportation across Mongolia. Especially for tourists ready to navigate the country’s rugged terrain.

How to Get a Taxi in Ulaanbaatar

When people ask me why I run tours in Mongolia, the enthusiasm in my answer usually depends on the day. Most of the time, though, it’s somewhere along the lines of “because it’s the most magical place on earth.”

Sometimes, however, my answer is less upbeat. Especially after a particularly grueling trip. Because Mongolia either eats you alive, or it changes your life in ways you never thought possible. There’s no in between.

For one, the infrastructure is challenging. Only about 1/5 of Mongolia’s roads are paved. Instead, most of the roads leading through the country are horribly corrugated dirt tracks. They’ll shake your entire car apart in an instant or leave you with a flat tire.

Second, the weather can prevent challenges of its own. It’s not just rain that will ruin your day, but impassable mud roads, rivers that have gotten too high, and washed out bridges that you need to be on alert for.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned living here, it’s that there isn’t a more reliable vehicle to get around in than a furgon. (Sorry Troopy.)

While it seems basic, at best, these Russian vans are as tough as they come. They may have some shakes and rattles along the way, but you better believe they are as sturdy as it gets.

Which explains why the furgon is Mongolia’s unsung hero and preferred vehicle of choice, especially for tourists.

Are you planning your trip last minute?

🚕 Book a Cheap Airport Transfer (great, budget-friendly option when landing in Mongolia)

🛌 Best Places to Stay:

Hostel One (favorite overall hostel with central location and clean facilities)

Urgoo Hotel (local boutique hotel with clean rooms and great location)

H9 Hotel Nine (boutique hotel located next to Sukhbaatar Square)

👉 Top Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar:

Cooking Class in a Local Home (unique way to spend a day and meet a local family!)

Mongolian Calligraphy Class: 1-Hour Lesson (try your hand at traditional Mongolian script)

Ulaanbaatar City Tour (best way to get to know the city with a local guide)

Ride a Mongol Horse (a quintessential Mongolia experience)

Rent a Mountain Bike in Ulaanbaatar (explore Ulaanbaatar and the areas around it differently)

🐴 Best Trips to Book to Experience Mongolia:

Kharkhorin, Khustai, Mini Gobi & Ger Under the Stars: 3-Day Tour (see the largest population of wild horses in the world)

Best of Mongolia 5-day Trip (check off the quintessential Mongolia experiences to have)

7 days Central Mongolia and Great Gobi Experience (the best tour for seeing the famous Gobi Desert)

What is a furgon?

Primitive in almost every sense of the word, these bukhanka “bread loafs are every tour company’s vehicle of choice.

In Mongolia, we more commonly refer to them as furgons. Everywhere else in the world, you’ll likely hear them be called bukhankas.

Despite not having air conditioning or a stereo, riding in a furgon is an essential part of any Mongolia travel experience.

Plus, it’s hard not to love their iconic look. It’s almost impossible to comprehend that this isn’t some sort of relic resurrected from the past but that it’s fresh off an assembly line.

Why are furgons everywhere in Mongolia?

Long ago the furgon solidified its place in history as the first forward control cab-over-engine van of its kind built in the Soviet Union.

The engine is placed between the driver and passenger seats, and it produces 112 hp (82.5 kW) and 4,000 rev/min with a max torque of 208 at 3000 rev/min. The modern 16-valve engine is compliant with Euro-5 standards and it isn’t finicky when it comes to fuel quality. Something that’s important in this part of the world.

Since furgons warm up fast and are known to start in extremely low temperatures, they make sense for our -40 C winters. They also offer 220 mm of clearance and can comfortably seat 6 – 8 people, plus the driver, and luggage.

Originally used as ambulances and postal vans, a short wheelbase and tight turning radius make them surprisingly nimble. And now, thanks to power steering, they’re super fun to drive.

All that being said, there’s one single reason why furgons are still so in demand. And that’s because repairs can be done easily and can be done anywhere.

With just a basic set of tools and a rudimentary knowledge of mechanics, you can repair just about anything on a furgon at any given time. In a country as difficult to drive in as Mongolia, wouldn’t you want something that’s easy to repair too?

If you happen to see some locals doing some repairs, or you’re in the unfortunate position where you need them, it’s an impressive thing to watch.

Axels, differentials, tires, gearboxes, you name it and it can be repaired in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Most likely with the dodgiest materials possible in a way we like to refer to locally as “Mongolfied.”

In terms of gas, in the past, the furgon’s two separate fuel tanks could run on gasoline of as low as 72 octane, but 76 was preferred. These days, it’s recommended to use at least 92 octane.

How much does it cost to hire a furgon in Mongolia?

As of summer 2025, the price to hire a furgon, with a driver, and insurance, runs between 250,000 – 300,000 Mongolia Tugrik or $70 – $84 USD a day.

When you hire a furgon with a driver, you’re also responsible for paying for all of the gas, the driver’s meals, and their accommodation.

Author: Breanna Wilson

Hi! Sain uu! I’m Breanna, an American travel writer and adventurer living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for more than 5 years. I’ve written for and been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times, among others. Read more of my Mongolia travel articles here.