GETTING IN AND OUT

Air
   The national airline "Kyrgyzstan Aba Joldoru" (N5), which operates direct flights to Bishkek from Germany, Turkey (Istanbul), UAE, and Russia (Moscow and St Petersburg). "Aeroflot" operates direct flights to Moscow, British Airlines currently flies from London to Bishkek. Turkish Airlines also flies to Bishkek from London, Paris, Brusseles, Amsterdam with a stopover in Istanbul. There are also direct flights to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) operated by "Uzbekistan Airlines" and Urumchi in China operated by "Xinjang Airlines". 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 or taxi services to Bishkek (travel time - 4 hours). Other European airlines flying direct to Almaty include Lufthansa from Frankfurt on Main and KLM from Amsterdam.

International airport
  There is only one international airport in Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek Manas Airport (FRU) is 40km (24 miles) north of Bishkek. There is a minibus shuttle service to the city centre when the airport is open (travel time - 60 minutes). Taxis are available. Facilities here open 24 hours and include left luggage office, exchange office, duty-free shops, restaurants and bars. Airport is served by buses, which run every hour. It takes 30-60 minutes to reach the destination. Taxis are readily available, travel time is 20-25 minutes.

No departure tax is required!

Rail
  There are rail connections with the Russian Federation (travel time to Moscow is three days) and with other Central Asian republics. It is possible to connect to China through Almaty in Kazakhstan; and to Iran and the Middle East via Turkmenistan. Railroad services are cheap comparing to Western standards but not exactly reliable and comfortable.

Road
  Kyrgyzstan has road connections to all its neighbours. The main international road links are with Kazakhstan and there are presently two crossing points into China, Torugart and Irkeshtam; visitors should note that the Chinese authorities normally require proof of an invitation by a Chinese tour operator as a condition of entry. Generally, main roads have good conditions. Note that the road to Osh can be affected by landslides during spring in the mountain areas, while winter may cause hazardous conditions on a number of roads crossing over mountain passes, some of which may be closed during certain periods; visitors should also note that garage services are very limited outside the cities and towns. If you are going to travel with your own car, please contact your local Embassy first to get further information and additional details you might need to know crossing the borders in Central Asia.

Travel times (by car) and distances from Bishkek

Destination	Distance in km	Travel time
Almaty/Almaty airport	250/270 km	2-3 hours
Balykchi (Issyk-Kul)	175 km	1.5-2 hours
Djalal-Abad	576 km	8-10 hours
Karakol	392 km	5-6 hours
Maida-Adyr	570 km	10-12 hours
Naryn	348 km	5-6 hours
Osh	710 km	10-12 hours
Song-Kul	360 km over Kochkor/332 km over Suusamyr	6-7 hours
Talas	300 km over Suusamyr/385 km over Djambul	5-6 hours
Tashkent	585 km	8-9 hours
Tash-Rabat	467 km	8-9 hours
Torugart pass	550 km	10-11 hours

Bus
  There are coach services to all of the neighbouring countries. There are regular bus links from Bishkek to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) (travel time - 10-12 hours), Almaty (Kazakhstan) (travel time - 6 hours), Kashgar in China (travel time 20-24 hours), Moscow, Ekaterinburg and further to Germany; services leave the long-distance West 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 and border procedures might take some time.

On Foot
   Please note that the only legal places where you can cross the border is at a designated post - which means that now it is not possible to follow the trekking routes over the mountains from Issyk-Kul to Almaty in Kazakhstan which were popular in Soviet times. More detailes can be found in passport/visa section.

Car hire
  It is possible to hire the car with driver for long journeys, The best place to look for these is at the west long-distance bus stations for Tashkent, Issyk-Kul and Almaty Area. The car to Kyrgyz-China border can be hired in travel agencies.

Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Kyrgyzstan by travellers of 16 years or over without incurring customs duty: 1000 cigarettes or 1000g of tobacco products; 1.5l of alcoholic beverages and 2l of wine; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.

Note: On entering the country all valuable items such as currency, jewellery, cameras and computers should be declared. Customs declaration form must be retained until departure.

Prohibited imports: Firearms, military weapons, ammunition, drugs, photographs and printed matter directed against the country, live animals, fruits and vegetables.

Prohibited exports: All prohibited imports, Items more than 100 years old and those of special cultural importance require special permission for export. When buying items that may be more than 100 years old, ask for a certificate stating the age of the items. Precious metals, stones, furs, saiga horns, Siberian stag, red deer antlers and deer skins, arms and ammunition are also prohibited unless on organised hunting trip.