Mongolia: 3 Best eSIMs Compared + Discounts (2023)

Mongolia is probably not the most popular travel destination in Asia, but it still has a lot to offer.

Especially when it is a relatively affordable country for travel.

What you should not do, in many cases, is roam internationally in Mongolia.

International roaming can be expensive, which is why using local and travel eSIMs is recommended to save money.

And if you get a travel eSIM, you do not have to deal with the SIM card registration bureaucracy and skip the queues in Mongolia.

How much will a local or travel eSIM for Mongolia cost you?

You can get an eSIM for Mongolia for as little as 9 USD, with 1 GB of data for 7 days, up to 44 USD, with 6 GB for 15 days, from Airalo (Mongo Mobile & Fiber), Holafly & Nomad.

Those are some generous data allowances, right?

In this guide, I will go over the eSIM options offered by the Mongolian mobile operators, Airalo, Holafly & Nomad. Let's do this.

Original publication: 16th of September 2022. Last updated: 14th of March 2023.

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Table of Contents

Introduction to Travel eSIMs for Mongolia

To get the best service available, in terms of reception and speeds, you want to go with the local mobile operators directly instead of with a travel eSIM.

That is because you will have a higher priority on the network in case of network congestion.

However, that does not mean travel eSIMs will always be slow.

In fact, some mobile operators throttle (prepaid) on select plans or all plans for “optimization” reasons (read: we cannot be bothered to invest in our network).

You have several options for getting an eSIM for your trip to Mongolia: You can choose from Airalo (with Mongo Mobile & Fiber), Holafly & Nomad.

Not only can you set up these eSIMs before arriving in Mongolia and activate them upon landing, but you can also avoid Mongolia's SIM card registration scheme, which is mandatory for anyone using Mongolian SIM cards and eSIMs.

While mobile data is already affordable in Mongolia, getting a travel eSIM will not break the bank – not at all.

Plus, I have plenty of experience with Airalo, Holafly & Nomad, and I can assure you they work well – and other Phone Travel Wiz readers also had pleasant experiences with them.

So let's see what these travel eSIM providers have to offer in Mongolia, right?

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Airalo eSIMs for Mongolia (Mongo Mobile & Fiber)

If I could only get a travel eSIM during my trip because I do not have the time or opportunity to buy a local SIM card or eSIM, then I would always get an eSIM from Airalo.

Airalo has eSIMs for around 190 countries, offers eSIMs at the lowest prices (on average compared to the competition) & has good service.

Airalo usually partners with the local mobile operator with the best coverage, the fastest speeds, or both.

And if it needs to partner up with multiple mobile operators, it does so, allowing you to have the best reception at all times.

Anyway, you can get an Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM for as low as 9 USD, with 1 GB of data, up to 35 USD, with 5 GB of data.

Those prices and data allowances are not too bad, right?

Especially knowing that the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM uses the Unitel Mongolia network – the network in Mongolia with the second fastest speeds.

So you do not have to worry about reception and speeds with the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM, even in remote areas.

The following three Mongolian Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM options are available:

1. Mongolia/Mongo Mobile & Fiber 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Mongolia/Mongo Mobile & Fiber 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
3. Mongolia/Mongo Mobile & Fiber 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 35 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13^th of March (2023 data only)

The Airalo links will automatically get you the available Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers – a code is unnecessary.

Overall, the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM gives you fantastic value for your money.

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Airalo Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM Pros

Are there any other reasons why you should get the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM for your trip? For sure:

• You can activate your Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM as soon as you land in Mongolia
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to Mongolia's second fastest mobile operator – Unitel Mongolia
• Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIMs are affordable (especially compared to roaming) and have generous data allowances
• You do not have to worry about SIM card registration with the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM, saving you time
• Out of data? You can simply top up online on the Airalo website and not worry about language barriers when dealing with local agents

There are many other small pros, but these are the major ones.

It would be disingenuous not to mention some cons, so here we go.

Airalo Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM Cons

So, why should you not get the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM?

• The Mongolian mobile operators, including Unitel Mongolia itself, have much more generous data allowances
• While you get access to Unitel Mongolia's network, the second fastest in Mongolia, your speeds will not be as fast as going with Unitel Mongolia itself because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
• There is no 5G NR access with the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM (yet)
• You cannot call or text with the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM (nor can you receive them – you get no (local) phone number)

Airalo Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM Overall Thoughts

Honestly, the Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM is fantastic.

The plans offered with Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIMs are generous and affordable.

You get fast speeds and access to Mongolia's second fastest network, Unitel Mongolia, without standing in queues or dealing with SIM card registration bureaucracy.

And everything, purchasing and topping up, can be done online on the Airalo website or Airalo app (downloading the app is recommended).

Unfortunately, you cannot call or text with the Unitel Mongolia eSIM, as it is a data-only eSIM.

But if you do wish to make actual calls, so not through apps like Whatsapp, consider a Mongolian SIM card (but you will have to deal with the SIM card registration laws).

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Nomad eSIMs for Mongolia

Another travel eSIM provider I recommend is Nomad.

In fact, I have been in close contact with Nomad as soon as I partnered up with them.

For example, upon my recommendation, it started offering the Nordics regional eSIM – an eSIM that can be used in Denmark, Finland, Sweden & Norway.

Yes, I really try to get the best offers and deals for you 🥰.

Another thing I have been pushing Nomad for, and Airalo and Holafly (to be discussed next) for that matter, is lowering its prices or increasing its data allowances.

In June, Nomad started offering a 2 GB eSIM variant upon my request for Mongolia and various other Asian countries (because Phone Travel Wiz readers asked for such an eSIM) at competitive prices.

In August, Nomad dropped its prices again for its China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand & Vietnam eSIMs (which are even cheaper than Airalo – that is remarkable on its own!).

So yes, Nomad is looking out for you 👁👁.

Anyway, in Mongolia, it uses the Truphone network, which uses a combination of local networks (Mobicom Mongolia, Unitel Mongolia, Skytel Mongolia & G-Mobile Mongolia), allowing your eSIM to switch to the network with the best reception automatically.

This way, you will always be connected!

You have the following three options with Nomad for Mongolia:

1. Mongolia 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 25 USD/23.50 EUR/21 GBP/34.50 CAD
2. Mongolia 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD/38 EUR/33.50 GBP/55.50 CAD
3. Mongolia 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD/42.50 EUR/37.50 GBP/62.50 CAD

Use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps) and get 3 USD/2.85 EUR/2.45 GBP/4.10 CAD off (even on top of current promotions)!

• Check out my Nomad reviews

Of course, going with Nomad has some pros and cons, so let's go over them.

Nomad Mongolia eSIM Pros

So, why should you get a Nomad eSIM? Because:

• You can activate your Nomad Mongolia eSIM as soon as you land in Mongolia
• You do not have to worry about SIM card registration, saving you time
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access on all Mongolian networks, allowing you to have the best reception at all times
• You can avoid expensive international roaming fees
• Out of data? You can simply top up online on the Nomad website and not worry about language barriers when dealing with local agents

But it is not all good news with Nomad though – there are some disadvantages.

Nomad Mongolia eSIM Cons

So, why should you not get the Nomad Mongolia eSIM?

• The Mongolian mobile operators have much more generous data allowances and cheaper plans
• While you get access to four networks, your speeds will not be as fast as going with the Mongolian mobile operators themselves because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
• There is no 5G NR access with the Nomad Mongolia eSIM
• You cannot call or text with the Nomad Mongolia eSIM (nor can you receive them – you get no (local) phone number)

Nomad Mongolia eSIM Overall Thoughts

Overall, the Nomad Mongolia eSIM is a great premium eSIM offering.

You will always have the best reception because the Nomad Mongolia eSIM automatically switches to the best network at your location.

However, just like the other travel eSIMs mentioned in this guide, you do not get a (local) phone number with the Nomad Mongolia eSIM.

Moreover, you can only get up to 5 GB of data.

Luckily, you can top up your Nomad Mongolia eSIM with more data if you want.

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Holafly eSIMs for Mongolia

The last travel eSIM provider I recommend is Holafly.

I knew they existed when they offered travel SIM cards for the Spanish market only.

Then they pivoted to the global market, still offering travel SIM cards.

Eventually, they started offering travel eSIMs for the Spanish market only again before going global.

There are many travel eSIM providers nowadays – new ones pop up every week like mushrooms, so I did not bat an eye.

Until they did something revolutionary.

In 2022, Holafly started offering unlimited data plans for its eSIMs.

And these unlimited data eSIMs can be used in various Asian countries, almost all European Union member states (except for Liechtenstein) & a few other countries, like Canada and the United States.

Unfortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are not available in Mongolia… yet.

I say yet because Holafly's goal is to offer unlimited data plans for every country it covers: 100+ countries.

And I can tell you that I get positive emails multiple times a week from Phone Travel Wiz readers that have used the unlimited data plans in East- and Southeast Asia, Europe & North America; they love these eSIMs.

For now, you have only one Holafly Mongolia eSIM (which uses the Unitel Mongolia network (as well), by the way):

• Mongolia 6 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 44 USD/47 EUR/34 GBP/67 AUD/59 CAD

Not much choice, as you can see.

As I recently started my collaboration with Holafly, you can get 5% off each purchase whenever you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ – awesome, right?

Of course, there are some pros and cons with going with Holafly, so let's go over them.

Holafly Mongolia eSIM Pros

So, why should you get the Holafly eSIMs? Well, because of the following:

• Holafly Mongolia eSIMs are affordable compared to roaming
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to Unitel Mongolia's network
• Unlike going with Unitel Mongolia directly, you do not have to worry about SIM card registration because it is unnecessary
• You can activate your Holafly Mongolia eSIM as soon as you land in Mongolia
• The Holafly Mongolia eSIM offers the most data

But it is not all good news with Holafly though – there are some disadvantages.

Holafly Mongolia eSIM Cons

So, why should you not get a Holafly Mongolia eSIM?

• You cannot call or text with the Holafly Mongolia eSIM (nor can you receive them – you get no (local) phone number)
• Mongolian mobile operators, including Unitel Mongolia, have much more generous data allowances
• While you get full (4G/LTE) access to Unitel Mongolia's network, your speeds may not be as fast as going with Unitel Mongolia directly because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
• You cannot top up your Holafly Mongolia eSIM – you would have to buy another eSIM if you need more data
• There is no 5G NR access with the Holafly Mongolia eSIM (yet)

Holafly Mongolia eSIM Overall Thoughts

While you have only one option for the Holafly Mongolia eSIM, it is the most generous eSIM (in terms of data) in this guide.

And the price for the Holafly Mongolia eSIM is low compared to expensive Pay As You Go roaming rates for Mongolia.

But it still is not cheap.

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Best eSIMs for in Asia (not just Mongolia)

So what if you plan to visit neighboring China? Russia? Or other countries in East Asia or Southeast Asia?

Unfortunately, you cannot use your Airalo Mongo Mobile & Fiber, Holafly Mongolia, or Nomad Mongolia eSIMs in any country than Mongolia.

There are some eSIMs out there that allow you to use your allowance in several East Asian and Southeast Asian countries.

Sadly, Mongolia is not one of them, but I still want to introduce them to you because they will be much cheaper than buying multiple eSIMs, or SIM cards for that matter, per country.

I highly recommend these Asia/APAC eSIMs if you plan to visit multiple East- and Southeast Asian countries to save money!

Airalo Asialink Asia eSIM

Airalo recently heavily improved its Asia eSIM, which used to offer a meager 4 GB of high-speed data before allowing for unlimited data at snail speeds, following the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries.

The Eurolink eSIM is the most popular eSIM for Phone Travel readers, and I have no doubt that the Asialink eSIM will be popular too.

Just like in Europe, many readers tend to visit multiple Asian countries, so they would rather have a travel eSIM covering multiple countries than just one (like Mongolia).

The Asialink eSIM can be used in the following 14 countries:

¹ currently, newly bought Asialink eSIMs cannot be used in Singapore. Airalo is working on re-including Singapore in its Asialink offering

Holafly & Nomad eSIMs for Mongolia

Because of Airalo's previous Asia eSIM, I used to recommend Nomad's APAC eSIMs instead (to be used in 8 countries).

This eSIM can be used in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore & Thailand (1 GB/7 days/15 USD – 20 GB/30 days/69 USD).

As you can see, this eSIM cannot be used in Mongolia, so it would be useless here but useful in the aforementioned countries.

The Holafly Asia eSIM has only one variant: 8 GB for 30 days, costing 47 USD/49 EUR/34 GBP.

This eSIM can be used in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand & Vietnam.

Basically, the same countries as the Airalo Asialink eSIM with just fewer options (1 variant (8 GB) vs. 6 variants (1 GB/3 GB/5 GB/10 GB/50 GB/100 GB) and much more expensive.

So yeah, the Asialink eSIM is superior, I would say.

Remember, the Airalo links above will automatically offer you the best deals.

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Mongolia (Airalo vs. Holafly vs. Nomad)

In this guide, I went over various eSIMs for Mongolia: Airalo (Mongo Mobile & Fiber), Holafly & Nomad.

Below is an overview of my recommendation order:

• Airalo's Mongolia Mongo Mobile & Fiber eSIM (best value for money)
• Nomad Mongolia eSIM (excellent performance)
• Holafly Mongolia eSIM (generous data plans at premium prices)

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly eSIMs and code ADU123 for Nomad eSIMs – a code is not necessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Mongolia

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Mongolian SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.