Taxis are very loosely defined in Mongolia, you have the city taxies which are painted yellow or white and have taxi signs. They generally operate on a meter but some meters seem to work faster then others. The starting price of the meter should read 250 but you are also often confronted with unknown and sudden supplements for being white or clueless. They are never the less the safer option late at night. Ulaanbaatar is also criss crossed by little japanese mini buses, they follow a straight route, are often packed to the roof with people and lifestock but can be a very fun (if slightly unomfortable) way of discovering the city.

During the day, just stick your arm out near a road and any random car will stop to take you where you which to go. The prices are generally cheaper with unmarked and unregistered taxis but they can argue and become violent if they think you are a silly tourist with too much cash. At night some taxis will ask exorbitant prices if they think they can get away with it. As no taxi driver in the city speaks a word of English it is advisable that you learn the general words to direct the taxi in Mongolian before you take one.