We placed this service first because, in our opinion, it is one of the most comfortable ways to get to Issyk-Kul without your own car.
Buses depart from Bishkek to Karakol daily at 10:00 AM.
The route passes through Cholpon-Ata – the tourist hub of Issyk-Kul’s northern shore.
The journey takes approximately 4.5 hours.
Pros: comfortable buses with air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and strict adherence to the schedule. Another plus is the convenient ticket purchasing — either via the website or the app.
Cons: tickets are not always available, especially if you try to book the night before.
Service website – https://gobus.kg/
Not the most comfortable, but likely the fastest and cheapest option to get to Issyk-Kul.
To find a suitable minibus, you need to get to the new Bishkek bus station, located at Alma-Atinskaya 1/1.
To reach Balykchy (the first town on Issyk-Kul’s northern shore), take minibus No. 508.
If your destination is Cholpon-Ata, take minibus No. 506.
Pros: you can leave almost any time; relatively cheap tickets.
Cons: lack of comfort and often very fast driving.
Minibus numbers can be checked on the website – https://bishkek.gov.kg/ru/post/30267
From Bishkek’s bus station, you can also take a taxi with a private driver. Usually, there are many drivers near the station. Most often, they wait until the car is full and then leave for the chosen destination.
The price per person usually ranges from 15$ to 20$.
Pros: you can leave at almost any time; much more comfortable than a minibus.
Cons: higher cost and a chance the driver may be reckless.
During the summer season, a daily train departs from Bishkek to Balykchy at 07:45 AM.
There are several types of train cars: standard and higher-comfort.
Based on our experience, it is best to book seats in higher-comfort cars, such as “lux” and “VIP.”
Ticket prices range from 3$ (standard car) to 10$ in a VIP compartment.
Pros: panoramic windows in premium cars offer stunning views of Boom Gorge. Also, the tickets are relatively inexpensive.
Cons: the train moves slowly. Sometimes the online ticket system is down.
Additional info – https://ticket.railway.kg/
Probably the most interesting and comfortable option. Most tours are conducted in a private vehicle with an experienced guide. There are also many day tour options available.
You will be picked up from your hotel and taken through the most beautiful locations in Chuy and Issyk-Kul regions, with a professional tour along the way.
Pros: comfort, flexibility in time and route. In addition to visiting Issyk-Kul, you will see many attractions along the way.
Cons: significantly more expensive than regular transport tickets.
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