HOW TO GET FROM BISHKEK TO OSH IN KYRGYZSTAN

A complete guide to traveling from Bishkek to Osh with public and private transport options, including flights.

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There are a couple of options for getting from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to Osh. Many tourists go through Osh to get to a small village called Sary-Mogol. This is the gateway to amazing treks through the Alay Mountains and Pamir-Alay Range such as the Traveler’s Pass, Sary-Mogol Pass and Lenin Peak.

You can read my full Bishkek travel guide with must-see attractions here.

It is a 607km journey by road from Bishkek to Osh and takes anywhere between 11 and 15 hours depending on the type of transport you choose. Reaching Osh by flight is a quick 40 to 50 minute flight. Depending on how you prefer to travel, you can embark on a scenic road trip with stops along the way, take public transport for the most affordable option or get there the fastest way possible by flying.

Let’s take a deeper look into all of the public and private options to get from Biskek to Osh…

FLIGHT:

Flights depart from Bishkek International Airport and land in Osh International Airport. There are daily flights all year round between the 2 cities. On average, these flights are pretty affordable and you can purchase a one-way ticket for around $50. Last minute bookings can be a bit higher but on average the flights will cost anywhere between $50 and $70.

You can find affordable flights and availability for your dates on Skyscanner.

BY ROAD:

Traveling by road from Bishkek to Osh is the more scenic (and adventurous) way to get there. There are two mountain passes that you cross to get to Osh. The perk of going by road is that you get to experience the stunning mountain landscapes, the countryside and authentic nomadic Kyrgyz villages along the way. It is a really great way to see what Kyrgyzstan is like outside the cities and tourist areas.

The journey can take anywhere between 10 and 15 hours depending on which transport option you choose to take by road. Of course, if you are in a private taxi or your own rental car then you have the option to break up the journey and sleep somewhere beautiful along the way.

Let’s take a look at the different options you have from Bishkek to Osh by road…

SHARED TAXI:

Taking the shared taxi from Bishkek is the most common way that travelers get to Osh. There are 2 locations in Bishkek from where you can get a shared taxi: The Western Bus Station or the south end of the Osh Bazaar.

There are also 2 ways to get a seat in one of the shared taxis. Either you can get your guest house or hotel to arrange a seat for you with a driver that they have the contact of. Or you pitch up early in the morning at the pick up locations to get a seat. The taxis will leave once their cars are full. There is no specific time that they leave, which is why it is best to pitch up early at around 6am. If you come later, you risk all of the taxis being full or having to pay extra for empty seats so that the taxi will leave even without their car being full.

It costs around $30 to $40 for a seat. You can also pay extra to have a specific seat reserved for you so that you aren’t squished in the middle seat at the back!

I really don’t love the way that people drive in Kyrgyzstan. It seemed pretty reckless and careless at times so you will definitely encounter some moments that make your heart skip a beat. But at least you have beautiful views on your roadtrip that also take your breath away. The most significant locations along your journey are the 2 passes, Töö-Ashuu Pass (with the Töö-Ashuu tunnel that is very dimly lit) and Ala-Bel Pass, as well as the Suusamyr Basin, Toktogul Reservoir and the Naryn River.

CARGO BUS:

The cargo bus is a very affordable but a more risky and dangerous option. The cargo buses are slower than the shared taxis and can generally take around 15 hours to reach Osh. They are moving between Bishkek and Osh overnight carrying supplies and often take passengers who are looking for a lift as well.

The cargo buses leave from the Kerben section of the Dordoi Market in Bishkek between 4pm and 6pm every day. Depending on the cargo bus, you will either be dropped off at Kara-Suu Bazaar just outside of Osh or they will drive into the city centre.

Positives of taking the cargo bus:
– The cheapest option, around $15.
– Many of them have beds that you can lay down on for the whole journey.
– An experience you won’t forget!

Negatives of taking the cargo bus:
– The drivers are generally not the most cautious on the roads.
– They drive overnight so crossing the 2 mountain passes and the tunnel in the dark is not the safest.
– You won’t see the scenery or countryside of Kyrgyzstan because of traveling through the night.

PRIVATE TAXI:

Another option is taking a private taxi. This is the best option for you if you prefer to have the whole car to yourself and you want to enjoy the road trip to Osh with some stops along the way in the beautiful views.

You can have a private taxi organized by your hosts at your guest house or hotel. They will most likely be able to find a driver for you and make sure that you are not getting scammed into paying way too much for the trip.

You can also go to the Western Bus Station or the Osh Bazaar where you get the shared taxis and ask to pay for all of the seats so that you have the entire taxi to yourself or your group. If you pay the $30 to $40 per seat then they are happy to leave as long as they get their money equivalent to a full taxi.

MAKE SURE YOU AGREE TO A PRICE BEFORE GETTING INTO THE PRIVATE TAXI! THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT AS DRIVERS CAN CHANGE THE FARE AT THE END OF YOUR JOURNEY IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO A SPECIFIC PRICE RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING BEFORE YOU LEAVE BISHKEK.

RENT YOUR OWN CAR:

Honestly, when I go back to Kyrgyzstan again, I will 100% be renting a car! My partner and I were so jealous of everyone who said they were road tripping through Kyrgyzstan with their own car because it really is an epic country to overland and explore in your own time and in your own way without relying on public transport.

Localrent.com is a really great site for finding an affordable and reliable rental car in Kyrgyzstan that is suitable for the destinations you want to reach.

It is important to remember that for some destinations in Kyrgyzstan you will need more than just a sedan to reach safely. Sometimes a 4×4 is necessary and make sure you have spare wheels for the off-roads as they are rough and rocky terrain. If you are sticking to the highways then a sedan is good for your trip. But if you plan to explore more of the wilderness in your car then definitely do some research about which car is more suitable for your itinerary.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

IS THE ROAD FROM BISHKEK TO OSH SAFE?

Generally speaking, the road from Bishkek to Osh is safe. It is a good road that even self-driving is safe to do. But there are a lot of reckless drivers and trucks passing on this road constantly. You need to be attentive to the other drivers on the road the entire time and make sure you drive carefully. The heavy trucks and impatient drivers can be really overwhelming. You also need to be really careful when driving through the tunnel and crossing the mountain passes. Many vehicles (mostly the heavy ones) break down here.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE FROM BISHKEK TO OSH?

It is anywhere between 600km and 670km depending on where you are starting from in Bishkek and ending in Osh. If the weather is good and there are no delays on the road or you are not stuck behind too many slow moving trucks then it can take between 10 and 12 hours. But if there are weather delays and the conditions are not favorable then it can take up to 15 hours.

CAN YOU DRIVE FROM BISHKEK TO OSH IN ONE DAY?

Yes you can drive in one day. Because it can be anywhere between 10 and 15 hours to reach Osh, it is best to leave very early in the morning so that you are not driving for too many hours in the dark. Especially over the passes and the tunnel, it is not recommended to drive these areas in the dark.

IS THE ROAD FROM BISHKEK TO OSH PAVED?

Yes. You will be driving on the M41 highway which is paved. But sometimes due to extreme weather there can be rock falls, potholes or construction on the roads. It is always good to practice driving with caution.

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