Page 38 - Mongolia & the Gobi Desert

Mongolia: ATms are really only available in large cities like Ulaanbaatar. But even in
Ulaanbaatar, the ATMs that are available may not accept your card; you may need to try more
than one before you can withdraw money. For these reasons, you should NOT expect to rely
on ATMs the way you might in the U.S. or in Europe. It is probably more practical to bring a
reserve of cash for daily expenses and view the ATM as a backup. Another option is to bring
enough cash to get part way through the trip, and then plan on making one large withdrawal
in Ulaanbaatar to cover the rest of the trip.

China: ATMs are very common in cities and towns, but may not be available in rural villages.

Russia: International ATM networks are widely available in larger cities and small towns.

Credit & Debit Cards

Even if you don’t plan on using a credit card during your trip, we still suggest that you bring
one or two as a backup, especially if you are planning a large purchase (artwork, jewelry).
We also suggest that you bring more than one brand of card (i.e. Visa, MasterCard, American
Express) if possible, because not every shop will take every card. For example, although the
Discover card is accepted in some countries outside the U.S., it is not widely adopted, so other
brands will work at a much larger range of stores, restaurants, etc.

Mongolia: Credit card use is becoming more common in Mongolia, especially in business
related to travelers, however many businesses, shops, and restaurants are still “cash only”.
Therefore a credit card will be useful in some situations, but not all, which is why bringing a
cash reserve for daily expenses is recommended. Businesses that do take credit cards will often
charge a fee to do so; ask before making your purchase.

China: Credit card use is common at hotels and shops, although many restaurants are still
“cash only”. Credit card use is less common in rural villages or remote areas, like Tibet or
Inner Mongolia.

Russia: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Russia, though some smaller
establishments may require cash.

Notify Card Providers

Many credit card companies and banks have fraud alert departments that will freeze your card
if they see suspicious charges—such as charges or withdrawals from another country. To avoid
an accidental security block, it is a good idea to notify your credit card company and/or bank
you will be using your cards abroad. You can do this by calling their customer service number
a week or two before your departure. Some banks or credit card companies will also let you do
this online.

You should also double-check what phone number you could call if you have a problem with a
card while you are abroad. Don’t assume you can use the 1-800 number printed on the back of
your card—most 1 800 numbers don’t work outside of the U.S.!

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