Kyrgyzstan was the most difficult to navigate of all the Central Asian countries I visited. Without a well developed train or bus system, your options are essentially marshrutkas and taxis. Yandex Go is also readily available in cities like Bishkek and Karakol, but relying on it becomes a bad strategy as soon as you leave urban areas. If you are hoping to travel from Bishkek to Almaty (or the other way around), I have a separate guide for that.
Marshrutkas (budget pick)
You will quickly become acquainted with marshrutkas—the mini-busses that populate post-Soviet countries—upon arriving in Kyrgyzstan. They are the best budget-friendly option for getting around outside of big cities. They are not always easy to figure out because schedules and routes are difficult to find online, but people at hostels and locals is a good strategy.
The marshrutkas themselves are not luxurious. Drivers can be reckless and they leave when they fill up, meaning that they will often be filled to the brim. Seats are narrow and leg room is almost zero, so I recommend going for a single seat on the right if possible. They get crammed—I’ve seen people sitting in the aisles. Other than being uncomfortable, the mini busses are not a bad way to travel. They are cheap, bags can be stored in the back, and they get you from place to place.
Hailing a marshrutka is pretty easy. The best way is to show up at the bus station and start asking questions. Eventually someone will guide you to the correct one, the driver will great you and open up the back for your bags, and you can pile in. If your destination is the end of the line (the final destinon appears on a card in the passenger side dash facing outwards), you can sit back and try to enjoy the ride. If not, don’t fall asleep.
Marshrutkas follow set routes multiple times a day. Locals get on and off when they want to, and so can you. If you want to get off in a village half way between two cities, for example, tell the driver your destination when you first get on and ask him to stop when you want to get off.
Similarly, if you find yourself between two big cities on a marshrutka line, walk to the highway. Eventually one will pass. Wave it down, and if there is room you can get on. Marshrutkas are what I primarily used to get around Kyrgyzstan. They are everywhere and fairly conveinent. Pictured below is my hostel’s guide for Bishkek marshrutkas as of April 2024.
Taxis (Shared and Otherwise)
If you are not on a marshrutka line or just value comfort, taxis are your best bet. They can be found anywhere, but if you need to make a longer trip your best bet is to head to the bus station or, once again, just ask around. Never accept the first price a taxi driver offers. Don’t accept the second or third, either. Bargaining is common place with taxis, as it is in all parts of Central Asian culture. If you want, ask a few different taxi drivers before choosing. They could all give different prices.
Shared taxis are also commonplace. They can normally be found in big bus stations and transit centers. These cars are basically small marshrutkas. They leave when they are full and commonly travel frequently trafficked routes. They can also, of course, act as normal taxis, but for this you have to pay for the entire car. Shared taxis are usually a little more expensive than marshrutkas but can be more comfortable and conveinent.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is part of Central Asian culture. People rely on help from others on a daily basis to get around in areas where public transit is not reliable. Unfortunately, these rides often come at a cost. Think of any car as a potential taxi. They will stop for you, but you are expected to pay. Luckily these rides are inexpensive. If you do not want to pay, simply say something along the lines of “no money” as the car pulls up. Most might drive away, but eventually you will get someone.
Hitchhiking is a fairly reliable way of getting around when other options feel inconvenient. It is especially handy in places like national parks and villages where taxis and marshrutkas might not be reachable. Even with larger groups the waits are usually short and the rides are affordable. Again, think more along the lines of an informal ride share than traditional hitchhiking.
Bishkek to Almaty and the Bishkek Bus station
I have another post about the ride from Bishkek to Almaty, but it is worth noting that this is one of the country’s few journies that does not operate via marshrutka. Instead, there are several busses each day leaving from Bishkek’s western bus station. The drive takes about six hours and is relatively easy except for the boarder crossing when you have to change busses.
Please be very careful when headed to the bus station that you pick the right one. The location recently changed, and Google Maps and Yandex maps do not yet reflect that change. When I first tried to leave Bishkek, I ended up at an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. The real address for the Bishkek bus station is here.
Wide Open Road 