World Country Guide

Travel - International

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.

Air
The national airline is Kyrgyzstan Airlines (R8), which operates direct flights to Bishkek from Germany, India, Russian Federation and Turkey (Istanbul). British Airways operates a direct flight from London to Bishkek. British Mediterranean (a franchise partner of British Airways) operates services three times a week from London to Bishkek. Turkish Airlines also flies to Bishkek from London, with a stopover in Istanbul. In addition, there is a number of direct flights from Europe to Almaty, in neighbouring Kazakhstan. The connection from there to Kyrgyzstan is via frequent bus services to Bishkek (travel time – four hours). Other European airlines flying direct to Almaty include KLM (from Amsterdam) and Lufthansa (five weekly flights from Frankfurt/M). There are also direct flights to Bishkek from Moscow and St Petersburg (Russian Federation) and from Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

Approximate flight times
From London to Bishkek is nine hours. From London to Almaty (Kazakhstan) is six hours 30 minutes; from Istanbul to Almaty is five hours 30 minutes and from Frankfurt/M to Almaty is seven hours.

International airports
Bishkek Manas Airport (FRU) is 30km (18 miles) north of Bishkek. There is a minibus shuttle service to the city centre when the airport is open (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are available 24 hours. There is also the bus service 153 every 30 minutes (travel time - 45 minutes). Airport facilities include left luggage, crche, bars, restaurant, chemist, bank and bureau de change.

Departure Tax
US$10.

Rail
There are rail connections with the Russian Federation (travel time to Moscow is three days) and with other Central Asian Republics. However, tourists are advised that robberies on trains have been reported.

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) (travel time – 10 to 12 hours) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) (travel time – six 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.