Is your trip to Kyrgyzstan coming to an end? Traveling from Bishkek to Manas International Airport is a straightforward process but having an understanding of your options can make your journey more pleasant. In this article, I'm going to share a comprehensive guide on how to go from the city to Manas International Airport.
WHERE IS MANAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?
Manas International Airport is located approximately 25 kilometers north of Bishkek, and there are several transportation options available to travelers. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
DIFFERENT METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION
1. Ride-Sharing Apps
To get from the city to Manas International Airport, I recommend using the ride-sharing application Yandex Taxi. This is one of the top five essential applications I recommend everyone download for their trip to Kyrgyzstan, which you can learn more about here. Yandex Taxi works exactly like Uber and Lyft, and the application is completely in English which makes navigation extremely easy.
As of December 2023, based on where your departure point is in the city, the rate on Yandex ranges from 700 to 900 soms depending on the time and demand of the cars. This is approximately USD 7 to USD 12. What's great is that you have the option to either pay in cash or card. If paying by cash, make sure you have Kyrgyz som and select that option when ordering your car.
Before you click the "Request" button for your car, click the icon that I circled in the above image to select your payment method. You can choose cash if you do not want to pay with a card.
2. Shuttle Busses
The cheapest way to get from Manas International Airport to the city center is by using the GO BUS shuttle bus. GO BUS is a joint venture with the Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic to offer convenient and affordable transportation services. As of December 2023, on their website, the price for Bishkek to Manas Airport is only 200 som which is an absolute steal and there is a shuttle available every 60 minutes.
The shuttle route starts from the southern part of the city and passes by many stops on the major streets. I highly recommend you follow their website and Instagram account for the latest updates and they have phone numbers, and QR codes that you can scan to assist you in making bookings.
Website - https://gobus.kg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gobus.kg/
3. Private Drivers
Some private drivers are available that offer services from your home to the Manas International Airport. I won't be sharing any specific phone numbers or drivers, but if you Google driver or chauffer services, you may be able to find some. If you are in the Facebook group, Expats in Bishkek, some people share the phone numbers of drivers. I use a private driver because I fly to and from the airport quite often, and pay 1000 som each way. Since I live in the Southern part of the city, I've seen rates go up to 950 som in the Yandex application.
TIPS FOR TOURISTS
1. Safety and Traffic
The drive in the city center can be quite rough, especially if you are traveling during rush hour. The drivers here can be aggressive so it is recommended that you wear seatbelts.
One thing that stood out to me was that in Canada or South Korea, you stop at stop lights and stop signs. However, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, there are many designated parts of the street where pedestrians can walk to the other side of the street without a stop light in place. When pedestrians cross the street, the cars will stop and turn on their safety blinkers. Sometimes these cars stop abruptly and the safety blinker is to alert the cars behind to slow down their speed and stop.
Whether you're driving alone or using a taxi, it never hurts to understand local traffic rules. Safety is extremely important so I hope this blog post helps you get to Manas International Airport safely and efficiently.
Regardless of your choice, planning ahead and allowing extra time for potential delays can ensure you reach Manas International Airport with ease. Safe travels!
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