Mongolia - flight routes, airlines, firearm considerations

[TMA805]

Headed to Ulaanbaatar Mongolia this September. Looking for experiences, recommendations, etc. regarding flight routes and specific airlines.

Someone told me one option is going through Incheon International (Seoul) South Korea. But initial research on Korean airlines states they do not allow firearms. I looked at Delta out of ATL but looks like they codeshare with Korean Air.

I'll be starting out in Dallas. I'm flexible going out west first (LAX, SFO) or east (ATL, JFK, etc.). Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[medvedyt]

maybe using a travel agent that knows a little about hauling firearms might help you. ggod luck on the preparation. what your outfitter is recommending?

 

[Dawg In Montana]

I would also say the outfitter or booking agent should know as well and is probably your best bet.

 

[Ikmclean]

TWG.travel – Professional Travel for Outdoorsmen

Travel with guns.com is often advertised on various hunting podcasts

 

[MntHunter]

I am going in August. Flights booked through Turkish, Dulles to Istanbul to Ulaanbaatar. You do have to declare firearms in advance.

 

[TMA805]

Thanks for the feedback. Outfitter did make one travel agent recommendation of which I'll contact. Just trying to get some info on options available prior to engaging the travel agent.

 

[Truaxdw]

If the outfitters just gonna pick you up in Ulaanbaatar, fly Turkish airlines, and go through Istanbul. Give yourself enough time for layovers or delayed flights. Spend the extra money and get tickets that you can change in case something unexpected happens. Sounds like an awesome adventure! if you choose to go with Turkish airlines book directly with them, it’s easier to deal with them that way, purchase the sporting equipment checked baggage it’s an additional fee that will cover you for your rifle

 

[chizelhead]

Turkish is great. If you go Turkish, I wouldn't pay the sporting equipment fee ahead of time. They sometimes won't charge you state side. They will usually charge you on the return. They'll just do it at check in if they're going to do it. You do need to register your gun ahead of time with the airline.

 

[TMA805]

@Truaxdw, @chizelhead,
Thanks.
Yes, outfitter picking me up in UB and will have all rifle permits done, ready to go.
I've flown on Turkish once last year through Instanbul to Adana with rifle and had no issues. I did also book directly for the exact reason of having flexibility to for on the fly flight changes & not having to go through 3rd party. Sounds like a logical choice again.

 

[alaska_bou]

I flew Korean Air when I hunted Mongolia. No issues with our rifles. Depending on where you are flying out of, Korean via Seoul is a shorter route than flying the other way around the world through Istanbul, but as of last year Korean Air was quite a bit more expensive than on Turkish.

Incheon airport (Seoul) is a HUGE airport. If you go this route, there are complimentary airport excursions depending on the length of your layover. My layover wasn't long enough to visit the DMZ, but we were able to go to the Yellow Sea coast not very far from North Korea.

 

[bluemaroon]

+1 for Turkish if going out of DFW.

Look at the flight schedule though and make sure they are operating a 787 instead of the 777s that have older cabins. I also had fellow passengers who were hunters on my last flight from DFW who were carrying rifles.

The best part of flying Turkish is that they have sleep rooms in the Istanbul airport lounge that are complimentary if flying biz class. Definitely really nice to have if you have a long layover since the first leg is 11-12 hours overnight.

I've used them to fly from Texas to Middle East for work and they are much better than United or Lufthansa options for getting to that part of the world.

 

[Suera]

One more vote for Turkish airlines. I flight many times with them with weapons and never had an issue. Also they usually have the flights at time.
Good luck in Mongolia!!

 

[rocksteady]

I flew Korean Air when I hunted Mongolia. No issues with our rifles. Depending on where you are flying out of, Korean via Seoul is a shorter route than flying the other way around the world through Istanbul, but as of last year Korean Air was quite a bit more expensive than on Turkish.

Incheon airport (Seoul) is a HUGE airport. If you go this route, there are complimentary airport excursions depending on the length of your layover. My layover wasn't long enough to visit the DMZ, but we were able to go to the Yellow Sea coast not very far from North Korea.

I agree. Incheon is a central international hub that could work well for your route. I also browsed online and found that Incheon Airport allows firearms as long as they are properly checked and not brought onboard as described here: https://usebounce.com/guides/seoul/incheon-airport/visitor.

If @TMA805 has a long layover in Seoul, he may want to check out things to see and do using this tourism guide on South Korea: https://gowithguide.com/blog/south-korea-tourism-statistics-2023-all-you-need-to-know-5254 Perhaps he could do a DMZ tour.

 

[Doc Holliday]

@Truaxdw, @chizelhead,
Thanks.
Yes, outfitter picking me up in UB and will have all rifle permits done, ready to go.
I've flown on Turkish once last year through Instanbul to Adana with rifle and had no issues. I did also book directly for the exact reason of having flexibility to for on the fly flight changes & not having to go through 3rd party. Sounds like a logical choice again.

When do you leave, and what all are you going for?

 

[TMA805]

Thanks everyone for your replies, info & advice. After several inquiries, discussions & some analysis on flight flexibility (mostly on return), I booked with PWP travel going through Istanbul. I leave next week 9/12. The hunt is for Gobi Ibex and Gobi Argali.

 

[easttex]

You probably know this, but I did not see it mentioned above. There is a 30 cartridge limit in Mongolia. They count them going and coming.

 

[jzeblaz]

Thanks everyone for your replies, info & advice. After several inquiries, discussions & some analysis on flight flexibility (mostly on return), I booked with PWP travel going through Istanbul. I leave next week 9/12. The hunt is for Gobi Ibex and Gobi Argali.

Good luck and share the after action report please!

 

[TMA805]

Just returned from Mongolia and Gobi desert. Apologies but I'm not best from a trip or action report. Below are just some notes. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

- Travel via Istanbul and Turkish air was fine/easy...no issues
- 13+hr drive from UB(Ulaanbaatar) to hunt concession. Luckily via comfortable van. But 13hrs w/lots of traffic was loooooong
- Hunt concession ends about 60 miles north of China border
- Mongolians are proud people and hard working hunters, were great
- Accommodations via ger (not yurt) and food were very good. Brought mtn house / peak as just in case, but didn't need them.
- Landscape is what one would imagine, yet deep in the desert they still have creeks and rivers that come alive during rains
- Unusual (for time of year) heavy rains before the hunt and once during. Limited the areas that could be accessed and thus hunted
- Shot 9yr old ram on day 4. And 12yr old billie on day 5. Very happy with both of them
- Definitely will go back some day but probably to other areas (Altai, Hangay)

 

[medvedyt]

congratulations for the hunt and thank you for the report.

 

[WBT]

Thanks for sharing. I’m looking into Mongolia and this thread has been helpful.