Country Guides
Kyrgyzstan
Getting There
Getting There
Kyrgyzstan
Getting There by Air
The national airline is Kyrgyzstan Airlines (R8).
Approximate Flight Times
From London to Bishkek is 9 hours.
Main Airports
Bishkek Manas Airport (FRU) is 30km (18 miles) north of Bishkek. To/from the airport: There is a minibus shuttle service to the city centre when the airport is open (journey time – 30 minutes). Taxis are available 24 hours. There is also a bus service (journey time - 45 minutes). Facilities: Left luggage, crèche, bars, restaurant, chemist, bank and bureau de change.
Note: All but essential travel to the south and west of Osh and to the Ferghana Valley region is advised against, due to the history of terrorist activity and armed violence, and to the threat of landmines in the Batken region and along the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border that Kyrgyzstan shares with other countries in Central Asia. However, this should not deter travel since most visits to Kyrgyzstan are trouble-free.
Departure Tax
US$10. Infants and transit passengers are exempt.
Getting There by Rail
There are rail connections with the Russian Federation (journey time to Moscow - 3 days) and with other Central Asian Republics. Tourists are advised that robberies on trains have been reported.
Getting There by Road
The main international road links are with Kazakhstan and there is presently one crossing point into China (PR); visitors should note that the Chinese authorities normally require proof of an invitation by a Chinese tour operator as a condition of entry.
There are regular bus links from Bishkek to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) (journey time – 10 to 12 hours) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) (journey time – 6 hours); services leave the long-distance (zapadni) bus station in Bishkek. There is also a direct service to Osh from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) via the Fergana Valley, but road conditions are very poor on this route (see also Uzbekistan section).
Generally, roads can be affected by landslides (especially during spring in the mountain areas), while winter may cause hazardous conditions on a number of roads (especially on mountain passes, some of which may be closed during certain periods); visitors should also note that garage services are very limited.
Getting There by Air
The national airline is Kyrgyzstan Airlines (R8).
Approximate Flight Times
From London to Bishkek is 9 hours.
Main Airports
Bishkek Manas Airport (FRU) is 30km (18 miles) north of Bishkek. To/from the airport: There is a minibus shuttle service to the city centre when the airport is open (journey time – 30 minutes). Taxis are available 24 hours. There is also a bus service (journey time - 45 minutes). Facilities: Left luggage, crèche, bars, restaurant, chemist, bank and bureau de change.
Note: All but essential travel to the south and west of Osh and to the Ferghana Valley region is advised against, due to the history of terrorist activity and armed violence, and to the threat of landmines in the Batken region and along the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border that Kyrgyzstan shares with other countries in Central Asia. However, this should not deter travel since most visits to Kyrgyzstan are trouble-free.
Departure Tax
Note: All but essential travel to the south and west of Osh and to the Ferghana Valley region is advised against, due to the history of terrorist activity and armed violence, and to the threat of landmines in the Batken region and along the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border that Kyrgyzstan shares with other countries in Central Asia. However, this should not deter travel since most visits to Kyrgyzstan are trouble-free.
US$10. Infants and transit passengers are exempt.
Getting There by Rail
There are rail connections with the Russian Federation (journey time to Moscow - 3 days) and with other Central Asian Republics. Tourists are advised that robberies on trains have been reported.
Getting There by Road
The main international road links are with Kazakhstan and there is presently one crossing point into China (PR); visitors should note that the Chinese authorities normally require proof of an invitation by a Chinese tour operator as a condition of entry.
There are regular bus links from Bishkek to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) (journey time – 10 to 12 hours) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) (journey time – 6 hours); services leave the long-distance (zapadni) bus station in Bishkek. There is also a direct service to Osh from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) via the Fergana Valley, but road conditions are very poor on this route (see also Uzbekistan section).
Generally, roads can be affected by landslides (especially during spring in the mountain areas), while winter may cause hazardous conditions on a number of roads (especially on mountain passes, some of which may be closed during certain periods); visitors should also note that garage services are very limited.
There are regular bus links from Bishkek to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) (journey time – 10 to 12 hours) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) (journey time – 6 hours); services leave the long-distance (zapadni) bus station in Bishkek. There is also a direct service to Osh from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) via the Fergana Valley, but road conditions are very poor on this route (see also Uzbekistan section).
Generally, roads can be affected by landslides (especially during spring in the mountain areas), while winter may cause hazardous conditions on a number of roads (especially on mountain passes, some of which may be closed during certain periods); visitors should also note that garage services are very limited.
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