1. Summary 2. Highlights 3. Getting Here 4. History 5. Government 6. Money 7. Geography 8. Weather and Climate 9. Culture 10. Food 11. Accommodations 12. Education 13. Work 14. Communications 15. Health and Safety 16. Getting Around

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edit Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide

Kyrgyzstan is a fairly young country achieving independance from the Soviet Union in 1991. You will not find any beaches or old culture heritage or long settled history. You will not also find dry plains like its bordering countries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, but you will find a green capital of Bishkek and tall snowy, peaked mountains of Tian Shan often being called the Switzerland of Central Asia. Although not a popular skiing destination, the country is promoting itself as one of the best.

edit Highlights

edit Getting Here

By plane

By train

By car

By bus

By boat

edit History

edit Government

edit Money

edit Geography

edit Weather And Climate

edit Culture

edit Food

edit Accommodations

edit Education

edit Work

edit Communications

edit Health And Safety

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Crime

Smoking

edit Getting Around

Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan's capital, like many places in the former Soviet Union, has an extensive network of minibuses, known as Marshrutkas. They typically have around 14 seats, with standing room for around ten extra people during busy periods. Marshrutkas are easily identifiable and display their number and basic route information (in Russian) on the front. To flag one down, simply hold out your right hand, parallel to the ground. Once you get on, pay the fare to the driver (typically five som; sometimes seven som for longer journeys). When you want to get off say, "ah-stah-nah-VEE-tyeh" (Stop!). Note that although there are bus stops, Marshrutkas can be hailed anywhere and will drop you off at any point on their route.

Bishkek also has a trolley bus system which is less extensive and generally slower. These only stop at designated bus stops. Travellers enter at the back door and leave at the front, paying the four som fare on the way out.

There are several private taxi firms in Bishkek that you can easily reach through their three digit numbers including: 150, 152, 154, 156, 166, and 188. Daytime taxis throughout the city are a flat rate of 75 soms and 100 soms past 10PM. There are also numerous "gypsy cabs" situated at nearly every intersection. While most travelers and long-time expats report no problems, you are cautioned to be aware , especially at night and near nightclubs.