Mongolia Fuel Shortage: What Travelers Need to Know This Autumn
Mongolia's fuel supply is recovering after a difficult August and September, but it is not back to normal. In its latest update on 25 September 2026, the government said national petrol reserves had risen to about 11 days and new deliveries from Russia and China were on the way, while rural filling stations were still handing out limited amounts at set hours. For travelers, Ulaanbaatar has been the least affected; overland trips to the countryside need a little more planning.
What has happened
Mongolia has no working oil refinery of its own and imports almost all of its fuel. According to Xinhua (10 August 2026), more than 95% comes from Russia. When Russia's own fuel supply tightened this summer, Mongolia felt it quickly. Reuters reported on 3 September that Russian shortages followed drone attacks on refineries and a seasonal rise in demand, and that Russian jet fuel deliveries to Mongolia fell by 40% in January to July compared with a year earlier.
At the height of the shortage, from 4 August, filling stations sold petrol on alternating days by even and odd licence plate numbers and capped each purchase at 50,000 tögrög, Xinhua reported. On 7 August the UK Foreign Office added a fuel warning to its Mongolia travel advice, noting reports of shortages, including aviation fuel, and that disruptions "may affect domestic and international flights, road travel and access to some remote areas."
Where things stand now
The picture has improved since then, though unevenly. On 31 August, Montsame reported that the government had ordered about 65,000 tonnes of AI-92 petrol and 150,000 tonnes of diesel for September, but that 30 to 40 soums (rural districts) were still short, because Ulaanbaatar had been supplied first. A week later, on 8 September, Montsame said 17 soums were still without fuel and named five provinces that needed more: Bulgan, Dornod, Dundgovi, Ömnögovi and Sükhbaatar. Ömnögovi is the South Gobi, home to Khongoryn Els, Yolyn Am and the Flaming Cliffs.
The latest official update came on 25 September. B. Dashpürev, State Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, told iKon.mn that reserves had risen from eight to 11 days. He said 18,000 tonnes of petrol from Russia and 8,000 tonnes from China were arriving, so no further interruptions were expected for the rest of the month. In the countryside, however, stations were still releasing limited amounts of fuel at 08:00 and 20:00. In the previous 24 hours, Ulaanbaatar's 105 stations had received 987 tonnes and 82 rural stations 815 tonnes of AI-92.
There is also a longer-term fix underway. On 24 September Montsame reported a new 16,000-cubic-metre fuel depot near completion, part of a government plan to build reserves of three to six months' consumption.
What this means for your trip
Flights: the sources we checked today do not report flight cancellations caused by fuel. Even so, check your airline's app before you travel, especially on domestic routes.
Ulaanbaatar: the capital has been supplied first, so city sightseeing and short trips out of town are the least affected. You may see queues at some stations; the ministry links part of this to demand for a cheaper fuel grade.
Overland tours: this is where the shortage matters. A tour vehicle may need to fill up at a specific time, wait in a queue, or detour to a town with supply. Build a little slack into long driving days, particularly in the South Gobi and the eastern provinces.
Self-drive travelers: fill up whenever you can in aimag centres, ask locally before heading into remote soums, and follow the UK government's rural driving advice on route planning and backup communication.
Timing: late September and October are already quieter months, and road trips beyond Ulaanbaatar are shorter. If you are travelling now, the practical impact is usually time rather than cancelled plans.
Will it be sorted by next season?
Nobody can promise that yet. The government's own figures show supply improving through September, and new storage is being built. But Mongolia still relies on one main supplier, and Russia's fuel market has been volatile. For trips in summer 2027, we think this is a reason to book with an operator who plans routes carefully, not a reason to stay away. We will keep watching official updates and will report here if the situation changes.
If you are still choosing when to come, our month-by-month guide to the best season will help, and our safety tips for Mongolia cover the basics of road travel here.
How Enza Tours can help
Enza Tours prepared for this shortage early, and fuel planning is now a standard part of how we manage every overland trip. If you are booked with us this autumn, we can check fuel availability along your route before departure and adjust the order of stops if needed. Planning the 7-day Gobi tour or another overland trip for 2027? Ask us, and we will give you an honest picture of the roads before you commit.
FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Mongolia during the fuel shortage?
Australia's Smartraveller advises travelers to exercise normal safety precautions in Mongolia. The shortage affects the availability of fuel, not personal safety, but it can slow down travel in rural areas.
Are flights to Mongolia affected?
The UK government warns that fuel problems could affect flights, but the reports we checked on 28 September do not mention cancellations caused by fuel. Check with your airline close to departure.
Which regions have been hit hardest?
Rural soums rather than Ulaanbaatar. In early September, Montsame named Bulgan, Dornod, Dundgovi, Ömnögovi and Sükhbaatar as provinces that needed extra deliveries.
Should I cancel my Gobi tour?
Not on current information. Talk to your operator about how they plan fuel stops, and allow extra time on long driving days.
