First time to visit Kyrgyzstan or not, you will likely arrive by flight (unless you crossed the border). Arriving in Manas International Airport will be your standard route and for sure going to Bishkek is your first agenda. In this post, I will share with you several options on how to go from Manas International Airport to the city center of Bishkek and vice versa.
Looking for visa information? Check my visa guides: Kyrgyzstan E-Visa AND Kyrgyzstan Visa on Arrival
Manas International Airport Location
First thing first, Manas International Airport is outside Bishkek and is located in Sokuluk District of the Chuy Region. The distance between the two is approximately 25 kilometers away and it is around 30-40 minutes drive away by car. Take this into consideration when planning your journey.
Several ways to go from Manas International Airport to Bishkek and/or vice versa
Fret not, there are several options to choose from on how to go between the two. It's up to you to select which one suits your preference of comfort and budget. So what are the options? Let's start with the budget ones then later on with the private ones.
1) Marshrutka #380
Cheapest among all the options, a marshrutka, a typical shared van as a form of public transportation) will take you to Bishkek's city center. For just 50 soms (amount as of May 2022), you can hop in Marshrutka #380 and it will leave once full. The marshrutka has a fixed route but the driver can drop you anywhere as long as it's along the route. However, it does NOT run 24/7 and runs only between 7 AM - 7:30 PM which is quite the issue since most international flights depart/arrive during the wee hours of the day.
Bus Stop Location in Bishkek (click for coordinates): Along Chuy Avenue opposite the Young Guard Monument (name in Google Maps) / Pamyatnik Geroyam Komsomoltsam (name in Maps.Me)
2) GoBus KG
A new service operating since June 2022, GoBus is a shuttle service as a collaboration project of Das-Trans LLC and the Tourism Development Support Fund. GoBus is a higher standard than a regular marshrutka and offers several pick up / drop off locations along the central street of Bishkek for just 200 soms.
Upon my arrival in Manas International Airport, I took the GoBus and it's easy to spot them outside the airport (GOBUS IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE UPON EXITING THE AIRPORT). I got down at Vefa Center (No.4) and timings are posted at the bus stop as well. Timings may differ for about 5-10 minutes depending on the traffic and each bus stop may have different timings so check accordingly.
To know more about this service, you may visit the GoBus Website.
3) Yandex Go Taxi
Yandex Go, is a Russian-owned ride-hailing service similar to Uber or Careem. Although I'm quite a fan of Yandex, this is the only option I did not try myself because the fare fluctuates depending on the traffic, your drop off location, and time of service which is valid. Depending on the location of your accommodation, your fare would vary and expect to pay from 600 soms up to a maximum of 1500 soms (but that would be too much).
BUT if you prefer a taxi to avoid the hassle of public transportation, this is a good option. You get the idea of the fare right away without the risk of getting scammed plus there's no stress of negotiating either.
4) Regular Private Taxi
This is similar to Yandex Go Taxi but without the extra task of navigating the app. Although the Yandex Go App is user-friendly, some of you may not want to go to such extent just to hail a taxi. In this option, upon arriving the arrival hall or anywhere in the city (where you are) you can just hail the taxi as you wish. You can practice your negotiation skills in this option.
Also expect to pay from 600 soms up to a maximum of 1500 soms (but that would be too much as well unless your accommodation is outside Bishkek).
5) Arranged Private Transfer
Unless you have a family, friend or an acquaintance who can pick/drop you, having an arranged private transfer is the most comfortable option among all. This can be a little expensive than a regular taxi though but not all the time. Fare would be more or less similar as above fare rates (between 600 soms up to a maximum of 1500 soms) depending on your location of pick up or drop off.
OWN EXPERIENCE: Back in Spring 2022, I stayed in Koisha Hostel near Osh Bazaar and I was charged for 1200 soms upon arrival. This Autumn 2022, People Hostel arranged a taxi during my departure but was asked for only 700 soms.
Best Way to Go
If you ask me which is the best way to go, I can't deny that a private taxi and/or an arranged private transfer is the most comfortable one. If you can find someone from the hostel who wants to take a taxi too, invite them to split the fare among the two (or three of you). That's how I took the taxi arranged by People Hostel. Yasmeen, a fellow traveler and a Russian fellow resident from the hostel shared the taxi with me and we all split the fare.
But budget wise, GoBus is a new life saver for me since it is cheap and runs any time of the day.
At the end of the day, it still goes down to your preference. It's your trip, so follow your heart's desire ๐
