Nestled in Central Asia and known for its stunning mountain landscapes and rich nomadic culture, Kyrgyzstan offers an incredible travel experience. Despite being a small country (94% of which is covered in mountains), getting around Kyrgyzstan can feel a bit challenging, especially with the varied options and unique road conditions. But with a little know-how, it’s easy to navigate and find the best way to travel across its beautiful, rugged terrain.
Whether you’re planning to visit the dramatic Tien Shan mountains, explore the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, or venture into small, charming villages, I’ll help you figure out how to get around this beautiful country.
With a range of transportation options—each with its pros and cons—getting around Kyrgyzstan can be an adventure in itself. Here’s your comprehensive guide on the different ways to get around Kyrgyzstan, from public transportation to renting a car and even hitchhiking.
Table of Contents
1. Public Transporation in Kyrgyzstan
(Best for budget travelers and those who want to stay closer to and interact with the locals)
Kyrgyzstan’s public transportation is affordable and the most common option for traveling between places.
To get around Kyrgyzstan by public transportation, you’ll mostly rely on marshrutkas (shared minibuses). Marshrutkas in Kyrgyzstan are widely used for intercity travel and have set routes and regular stops, but they might get crowded and a little uncomfortable especially on long-distance routes like Bishkek to Karakol.
Both cities and villages have bus stations from where these marshrutkas depart from and from Bishkek, for example, they even follow a schedule. You buy a ticket from the ticket counter like you normally would at most bus stations. This is in contrast to some other countries which still use marshrutkas where marshrutkas depart once they get full and don’t have any set schedule.
It is also possible to flag the marshrutka on the route. And in Karakol, for example, you don’t buy a ticket from a ticket counter but pay directly to the driver.
Regular buses are not available in Kyrgyzstan for intercity travel.
Another public transportation option for traveling around Kyrgyzstan is the train network. Unfortunately, however, train travel is very limited in Kyrgyzstan due to the mountainous terrain and the limited funds of the national train company. The Kyrgyz railway network is divided into a northern and a southern part, which are unconnected. In the north, the railway extends from Bishkek to Balykchy on the Issyk-Kyl Lake and connects to the large Kazakh rail network. In the south, the railway runs from Osh to Jalal-Abad, is only 101 km long, and is divided by Uzbekistan territory. (I don’t know for a fact whether the southern line is currently in use.)
TIP: You can only pay by cash for marshrutkas.
2. Private Transportation (Hiring a Driver) in Kyrgyzstan
(Best for those seeking flexibility and comfort, especially for rural destinations)
If you want flexibility and comfort when exploring Kyrgyzstan, private transportation offers a great alternative to public transit. Hiring a driver allows you to travel at your own pace and access less-visited areas that can be hard to reach by public transport.
You can hire a private driver online, through an agency, or negotiate directly at bus terminals in cities. It is very common to hire a private driver for trips to some more remote places such as Altyn-Arashan or Song-Kul Lake. Fares are usually fixed but depending on where you hire the driver from, there might be some room for bargaining and negotiating the price.
The best thing about hiring a private driver to travel around Kyrgyzstan is the flexibility and comfort and not having to drive yourself. However, this could add a lot to your budget, so if your budget is limited, you better go for another option. For groups of friends sharing the price, it could be a great option tho.
Also, note that English-speaking drivers may be more limited, so consider having key phrases or locations written down in Russian or Kyrgyz. We meet a French couple who hired a private driver for their 10-day trip across Kyrgyzstan and their driver spoke both French and English aside from Kyrgys and Russian. I’m sharing this to let you know that it is possible to find drivers speaking English or even your native language, but that is if you do your research in advance to find one. Don’t expect most of the drivers, especially those who you might find available on the spot to be speaking any other language different from Russia or Kyrgyz.
3. Renting a Car in Kyrgyzstan
(Best for independent travelers)
If you’re eager for total independence, renting a car to travel around Kyrgyzstan is a great choice. With your own vehicle, you can explore the country at your own pace and travel according to your schedule.
In Kyrgyzstan, cars drive on the right side, with the steering wheel on the left. However, the road network is limited, and well-maintained asphalt roads are largely confined to major routes: from Bishkek to Osh and Almaty, for example. Away from these main roads, you’ll encounter broken asphalt, gravel, or entirely unpaved roads, which become a serious challenge for regular cars, especially in rural areas and mountains. Even the main route that follows the south shores of Issyk-Kul Lake and reaches Karakol is in many parts broken or unpaved.
To rent a car in Kyrgyzstan, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required along with your regular license. Rental agencies in Bishkek offer a variety of cars, but what you’ll need is either an SUV or a 4×4 vehicle. To decide what type of vehicle would work best for you, share your Kyrgyzstan travel plans with the agency. These people know the routes around the country and will be able to recommend you a car that fits your plans.
Please note that renting a car and traveling around Kyrgyzstan independently during winter is not recommended due to heavy snowfall, ice accumulation, and the risk of landslides.
TIP: Carry a paper map as GPS signals can be unreliable in rural areas. Offline maps are also essential.
4. Hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan
(Best for budget and adventurous travelers looking to meet locals)
If you are looking for a more adventurous way to get around Kyrgyzstan, consider hitchhiking the country. Hitchhiking in Kyrgyzstan is very common and also safe. Locals themselves often hitchhike as public transportation in more rural areas is not always an option.
We hitchhiked multiple times on our trip around Kyrgyzstan. One of the places where we did that was in the village of Bokonbayevo. We stayed there for a few days as there are some pretty cool and unique things to do in Boknbayevo, some of them being visiting the Skazka Canyon and witnessing an eagle hunting demonstration. Unfortunately, tho, only taxis are available there and they charge a fixed price to drive you to the canyon and back. We couldn’t find other people to share the cost with, so we went to the main road, lifted our thumbs, and in no time were already at the canyon.
If you want to hitchhike to get around Kyrgyzstan, I would recommend learning some Russian so you are able to have some conversation with the drivers. Kyrgyz people are very nice and hospitable and I’m sure you will enjoy talking to them.
TIP: Make sure to have cash. While hitchhiking is generally free, some drivers in Kyrgyzstan would expect a small payment.
5. Tours and Group Travel Options in Kyrgyzstan
(Best for those seeking a guided experience or traveling to remote areas)
One of the best ways to get around Kyrgyzstan, in my opinion, is by joining organized group tours. Many beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan are difficult or impossible to reach with public transportation, and if you don’t want to spend the money on a private driver or don’t want to rent a car, this is your best option.
By joining organized group tours to travel around Kyrgyzstan, you get the bonus of having experienced and knowledgeable guides who can tell you more about their beautiful country, its history, and culture, and provide you with tips and recommendations that you won’t be able to find in travel guide books.
Group tours, ranging from day trips to multi-day excursions, cover Kyrgyzstan’s most popular attractions, such as Song-Kul Lake, Ala Archa National Park, and Issyk-Kul Lake. These tours are ideal for travelers looking to explore with minimal planning or for those who feel more comfortable with a guide.
In Kyrgyzstan, similar to what we saw and experienced in Lebanon, many small tour agencies provide great day trips and multi-day excursions at a fraction of the cost of tour operators. What I mean by that is that, for example, online at sites like Viator and similar, you can find and book a day tour to Ala Archa National Park for 70+ USD, whereas these small agencies do the same tours for as little as 10 EUR.
Still not sure if the way I explain this makes sense, so I’ll just go ahead and share a few of those agencies/ tour operators that you can travel around Kyrgyzstan with:
With Kettik, we traveled to Kyrgyzstan’s second-biggest lake, Song-Kul, and with Omks we went on a day horse riding tour in the Chon Kemin valley. I can recommend both. They don’t have websites so you can reach out to them via their Instagram pages linked above. Both have English-speaking staff who can help with additional information and booking, but note that there might not be an English-speaking guide available on the tour itself.
TIP: Make sure to book in advance, especially in the months between June and October.
6. Getting Around Kyrgyzstan on a Horse Back
(Best for adventure seekers and those interested in traditional nomadic culture)
Exploring Kyrgyzstan on horseback is one of the most authentic ways to experience the country’s rugged landscapes. Horseback riding remains a significant part of Kyrgyz culture, and for many rural communities, horses are essential for daily transportation, especially in remote mountain regions where cars are impractical.
Kyrgyzstan offers a variety of horseback trekking routes, from the scenic meadows of the Chon Kemin Valley to the lush, mountainous landscapes of Tash Rabat. Numerous tour operators in Bishkek and other tourist destinations in Kyrgyzstan offer packages ranging from a day’s ride to week-long treks with experienced guides. These tours typically include gear, meals, and accommodations (typically in yurts or tents). Horses can also be rented directly from local families.
Horseback riding is undoubtedly a unique way to get around Kyrgyzstan but I wouldn’t recommend it to just anybody. It is not the most comfortable way of travel and can even become painful so inexperienced riders better look at the other options of traveling around Kyrgyzstan.
After 4 hours of riding my knees were destroyed and my a** hurt for two days after. So, if you are inexperienced but you still want to go for it, I’d recommend first trying by going on a few day trips to see how it feels, how you feel after, and then make a decision on whether or not to embark on a multi-day horse tour to explore Kyrgyzstan.
Final Thoughts
From affordable public transportation to organized tours, Kyrgyzstan offers a variety of options to suit every travel style. For a full Kyrgyzstan itinerary, combining different transportation modes can help you make the most of your time and see the country’s incredible diversity.
Planning a longer trip and visiting neighboring China? Be sure to read my guides on everything you need to know about visiting China and must-have China travel apps if you’re considering visiting this other incredible destination.
I hope that this article gives you a good overview of how to travel around Kyrgyzstan. If you have any additional questions or comments, please let me know in the comment section below, and don’t hesitate to contact me.
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Thank you for reading,
Bilyana