How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan Without a Car
Kyrgyzstan has a lot of wilderness and its road infrastructure is not very developed. Even in some cities, roads are still gravel, although this is changing fast. A lot of people rent a 4x4 car to explore Kyrgyzstan, but it is possible to get to all the best places without one - I did my full itinerary without a car. This blog post will go through exactly how to get around Kyrgyzstan without a car and include some of my best advice for doing so.
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How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan Without a Car: Summary
There are two main ways of getting around Kyrgyzstan without a car: marshrutkas and hitchhiking. Below is everything you need to know about getting around Kyrgyzstan using these.
How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan by Marshrutka
Marshrutkas are Kyrgyzstan’s public transport network. They are essentially minivans that go between towns and cities. They all have a number on a sign in their front window, along with the destination (in Kyrgyz or Russian). The inside varies a lot, I had some really nice marshrutkas but also had some that were a bit worn down, but still good enough. For long distances, your driver will normally stop at least once for a toilet and food break.
How Much do Marshrutkas Cost?
Marshrutkas are a very affordable way of getting around Kyrgyzstan without a car. For a journey of around 2 hours from Karakol to Skazka Canyon and then from Skazka Canyon to Tong, I paid 400 som (approx. £3.45), and for longer journeys like from Bishkek to Karakol, I paid 800 som (approx. £6.90), which included luggage. It cost me 550 som (approx. £4.75) from Bokonbayevo to Bishkek. The marshrutka drivers only take cash, and you will need to tell them where you want to get off before you pay.
Where do Marshrutkas Stop?
Unless you are getting on at the start of the marshrutka’s route, there aren’t really any defined stops. When you get on the marshrutka, tell your driver where you want to go, and they will stop for you when you get there. As long as it’s along their route, they can stop pretty much anywhere. If you are trying to get on a marshrutka at a point along its route, you will have to flag it down on the road. They are always looking for people to pick up, however, so you shouldn’t have a problem.
Do the Marshrutkas have Timetables?
Not really. Marshrutkas tend to leave when they are full rather than stick to a timetable. On busy routes like Bishkek to Karakol, you won’t have to wait much longer than 20 minutes for the next one to come along, but on less busy routes, you might get a marshrutka once an hour.
How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan by Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is very common in Kyrgyzstan; I did it several times and felt very safe - on one occasion they drove me straight to my accommodation, which was so kind. People are willing to stop and help if they have space, and it’s a great way to meet locals and other travellers. If you are on a busy road and there are no marshrutkas on the horizon or are in a remote place where you know there will be other tourists with cars, putting your arm out may help!
I hope this guide helps you figure out how to get around Kyrgyzstan without a car. It is more than doable and allows you to experience a bit of local culture too. As always, take care of the places you visit and leave only your footprints behind :)
Looking for more on Kyrgyzstan? See some of my other posts here:
Prices and information were correct at the time of publication, but may have changed since. I recommend checking official websites for the latest prices and information before booking.
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