✈ Getting from Almaty Airport to Bishkek

Bishkek, located 252 km west of Almaty, is the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, a fascinating destination that offers a unique blend of modern and traditional cultures. Known for its Soviet-era architecture, bustling bazaars, delicious cuisine, and friendly people, Bishkek is a vibrant city with much to offer.

If you are landing at Almaty International Airport and wish to make your way to Bishkek, you have two transportation options; you can take a taxi or bus. Taking a taxi or private transit from Almaty Airport to Bishkek is undoubtedly the best option as taxis offer direct 24/7 door-to-door services, taking 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach the city. Alternatively, for a more cost-savvy option, travellers can take the minibus. However, you must first make your way to Sayran bus station beforehand; this route takes around 4 hours and 45 minutes, excluding waiting times.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Almaty at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€65	270min	24/7
Bus	€10.70	285min	08:00–18:00

How to get from Almaty Airport to Bishkek by taxi

Taking a taxi or private transfer from Almaty Airport to Bishkek is the fastest and most comfortable option for travellers, especially after a long flight. Taxis are available 24/7 and provide safe door-to-door services, getting you to Bishkek in 4 hours and 30 minutes.

How much is a taxi from Almaty Airport to Bishkek?

Taxis in Almaty calculate their fares using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled to your location. You can expect to pay around €65 (KZT 30,000) for your taxi transit from Almaty Airport to Bishkek, depending on traffic conditions. Having said that, if you prefer travelling at a competitive set price with a local English-speaking driver, you can pre-book your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€65 (KZT 30,000)

Trip Duration

4 H 30 Min.

*Rates may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Almaty International Airport (ALA).

Where do I get a taxi from?

You can find the Almaty Airport taxi ranks as you exit the Arrivals Terminal. Just look for the long line of cabs, they’ll be hard to miss!

Convenience

Taking a taxi is the only direct transit from Almaty Airport to Bishkek. Taxis are fast, convenient and reliable, especially when travelling with children and/or heavy luggage. Moreover, Almaty Airport cabs are available around the clock and offer door-to-door services, allowing you to relax and enjoy your trip.

Editor’s Note

Shared taxis are available from Almaty Airport to Bishkek for €7.60 (KZT 3,530) per person; you will need to wait for the taxi to fill up before leaving.

Useful Tips

Ensure that your driver has reset and started their taximeter before starting your trip to Bishkek.

To avoid any inconvenience, you should inquire whether your driver accepts card payments beforehand.

Taking an official taxi from Almaty Airport's taxi rank is highly recommended, as many non-official drivers may approach you inside the airport.

How to get from Almaty Airport to Bishkek by bus

For those on a budget, an alternative public transport option is available. You can take the bus No. 92 from Almaty Airport to Sayran station, which takes 45 minutes. At the bus station, you will need to change to get the bus to Bishkek, which takes an additional 4 hours.

How much is a bus ticket from Almaty Airport to Bishkek?

A one-way bus ticket from Almaty Airport to Sayran Bus Station costs €0.30 (KZT 150), and a bus ticket from the bus station to Bishkek costs €5.05 (KZT 2,500). Therefore, you can expect your transit from Almaty Airport to Bishkek to cost a total of €5.35 (KZT 2,650).

Cost

€5.35 (KZT 2,650)

Trip Duration

4 H 45 Min.

The bus leaves Almaty Airport to reach Sayran bus station every 10 minutes, and from Sayran Station to Bishkek there's a departure 4 times a day.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Bus No. 92 is available daily from 05:30 to 20:30 and the bus to Bishkek runs at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 18:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

The Almaty Airport bus stop is outside the terminal building, near the parking lot. You can ask the airport staff for directions or follow the signs to the public transportation area.

Convenience

Although a budget-friendly travel option, taking the bus from Almaty Airport to Bishkek is long and tedious. You must take two buses to get to your destination, with a potential third depending on your hotel’s location. Furthermore, the buses are not very modern and comfortable, and border control can take a long time.

Timetables

Bus 92 Schedule

Editor’s Note

Please note that bus times may vary, and some buses will not depart unless they are full.

Useful Tips

It is important to know that border control can take some time; it is best to have flexible travel times.

The bus does not have amenities (toilet, refreshments, Wi-Fi), so you will need to plan accordingly beforehand.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How do I get from Almaty Airport to Bishkek?

There are two ways to get from Almaty airport to Bishkek. The first option is taking a taxi or private transfer, which typically takes 4 hours and 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can get two buses, taking 4 hours 45 minutes, not including waiting times.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Almaty Airport to Bishkek?

Taxis in Almaty calculate their fares using a taximeter; thus, you can expect to pay around €65 (KZT 30,000) for your 4-hour 30-minute trip from Almaty airport to Bishkek. Nonetheless, if you prefer travelling at a fixed competitive rate with a friendly local English-speaking driver, you can pre-book a private transfer online.

Is there public transportation from Almaty Airport to Bishkek?

Yes, a bus runs from Almaty to Bishkek; however, you must get a bus from the airport to Sayran bus station first, which takes 45 minutes. From there, you can get a minibus to Bishkek, taking 4 hours, excluding wait times.

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How to get from Almaty Airport to Bishkek by taxi