Bishkek Travel Forum

I'm looking at travelling between the following:
Almaty airport to Bishkek
Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata
Cholpon-Ata to Karakol
Karakol to Almaty

Can anyone help with journey times by car and what the taxi/bus fare would be

Cheers

Jim

Overland vs. flying (Iran to Kyrgyzstan)

I am visiting Iran in March-late May and I'm deciding whether to enter Central Asia by

1) overland via Turkmenistan or
2) by airplane to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

On one hand, I can see NO benefit in going overland since I need to arrange a difficult/expensive Turkmen transit visa in Iran, and a tourist visa to Uzbekistan, as "proof of onward travel" .

Honestly, I am more interested in Kyrgystan, and Tajikstan because of the high mountain ranges. It's going to be hot in the late spring/early summer, and Uzbekistan and Turkemistan are pretty flat compared to their mountainous neighbours. Therefore, I prefer Kyrgyz and Tajik

Anyways, that's why I am considering just flying (Iran-Kyrgyzstan) and since I am Canadian, a free visa on arrival (30 days) awaits me at Bishkek airport. Another added bonus compared to going overland.

Does anyone see the benefit of going overland? Of course, I already found an airline flying Mahshad, Iran directly to Bishkek, only a 4 hour flight, and the price is bound to be cheap. In August 2008, and Iran Aseman flight crashed killing everyone on board just 2km outside Bishkek airport.

So I guess now I'm only looking for an excuse NOT to go overland? And no the crash isn't enough, though maybe it should be? Nah, not by me.

Arriving in Bishkek by air is again beneficial because of the free visa on arrival, and the relative ease in getting a Tajik visa in Bishkek, as well as the new Chinese/Tajik border crossing recently opened (2004).

The only concern remaining is where to get a Chinese tourist visa to enter Xinjiang?

Bishkek, or Dushanbe?

Also, I am interested in entering Pakistan, and India after China, via the Karakourom highway (from Kashgar to near Islamabad). Where do I get those visas? Which embassies hand them out easier?

My possibilities are

Bishkek, Dushanbe, Tehran, or Dubai, but I have no idea when I am going to enter China, India, or Pakistan, so I need open entry dates on the visas, thus giving me freedom to travel at my own speed.

Thanks for any insight.

Can you please ask the worker in ZUM, I guess it's on 3rd floor, it's in MP3 and camera selling section. I bought an MP3/MP4(video)player on August 10 and they didn't give me any receive check and it broke down and I wanted to replace it , but Apple company wants to receive any information that I relly bought it. So I really need your help. I bought it from a girl(I do remember it) and her boot(place)is near the pircing center. So when you step from stairs walk straight, turn left and the first left after piercing center is that place. I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much.

Is there a local bus that goes from the airport to the long distance bus station?

Should I take a bus to the center and then take a taxi to the long distance bus station? Would that be a much more economical option?

Are the taxis safe?

How much would a taxi from the airport to the bus station cost?

I just started to work in Bishkek for a year and would like to meet some people outside my own organisation who'd like to go out for a beer occasionally (locals or expats). For me a chance to learn more about the city and the country, for you it could be an opportunity to practise your English.

I'd so love to know about bushkek a bit and then I'd wanna know about the flights that fly there from malmö, Swedon or copenhagen, Denmark. And i wanna do it between 25th of july n come back shall be before 20th of august. Would be so nice of if i get to know about the cheapest way to get there or fly. Would be even more helpfull if i get some info about the visa and stuff!!! thanx

Dear all,
we are planning to visit Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in April/May.
Does anybody know how long does it take to go from Bishkek to Tashkent overland and if it is safer to
(a) book a private tour/transfer with a guy with a jeep or something;
(b) Take a train, possibly an overnight train
(c) Take a public bus
Thank you for the help!

Mirko

I want to spend my holidays in Bishkek,thats why i needed the invitation latter from a registered tourism agency,who can help me?
Business invitation is also acceptable.
BR
Kashif Khan

I want to spend my holidays in Bishkek,thats why i needed the invitation latter from a registered tourism agency,who can help me?
Business invitation is also acceptable.
BR
Kashif Khan

well hoping to take a trip in janurary to feburary sometime. is it cool for americans? what should i not do?

Hi everybody - could somebody tell me, how I can got from Bishkek to Bangkok ?
and how much might be the Flight ? I am planning to come with Turkey Airlines there - but I would like to fly further to Bangkok ! Can somebody get me connected to a Travelagency there in Bishkek ) Thanks in Advance !

Hi guys - I am working in Bishkek last week of July and have a few days to spend exploring from Friday 28th to Tuesday 1st August. I'm particularly interested in trekking areas with wildlife so any ideas greatly appreciated. Also any advice on must-see places in Bishkek itself would be good to keep me occupied!

Cheers

June 21, 2006 or there abouts, till about July 5:

I fly into Manas and would like to see a friendly face when I arrive.

I know I can get Visa for Kyrgyzstan, but can I get it for Kazakhstan there also? Or maybe at the Embassy in Bishkek?

I heard I could get an instant Visa, for the right price, to enter China, at the border. How true is that?

I would like a companion, on and off for about two weeks.

I need to go to the Embassy for certified documents.

Are there ATM's to get money? Is VISA accepted? I assume U.S. dollars are.

Need to get passport stamp at Kazakhstan border and/or China border.

I don't mind paying for the help to accomplish this, i.e. a tour guide.

How is the rail system to China?

Business first, then would like to go hiking or to the lake and just have fun.

Any assistance for the tour guide part or just information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi,
Does anyone know the price of a flight ticket from Istanbul to Bishkek? And how often the planes are flying to this direction?
Thanks to let me knwo as I am preparing a trip to Kg.

Will be in Bishkek from the 12th April to 20th April looking for a short term apartment rental. Realize i might have to rent for a minimum 2 weeks not a problem. 3 rooms plenty as i am 1 person there to do a bit of business

hello every body : i will be in Bishkek in 21Feb,2006. i might stay for 2 weeks,what i would like to find a good accommodation in Bishkek and if possible to meet VT there. thanks

Any of you VTers in Bishkek between the 7th and the 8th of august?
I'll be there for a couple of days, if anyone wants to meet for beer or a meal.
cheers,
Barbara

Is there any beautifull girl in Bishkek who wants to show the city to a spanish gay spending the febrery month?

Anyone know where I can find online a map of Bishkek?

Thanks in advance.

l'm thinking of going to Bishkek from pakistan, is anyone know what is the cheaper way to go ?

My husband and i will be traveling to Bishkek to work and i was wondering what kind of entertainment i.e. local pubs there were around there. any and all info would be appreciated!

I am thinking about going snow skiing in or around Bishkek in December. I have heard that airports may be closed during this time frame. Can anyone inform me of the weather conditions around Bishkek during December.