Learn how to cross the borders from Kazakhstan (Almaty) to Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek) at Korday by public transport. Read our ultimate guide for a breakdown of prices, times and tips for crossing the Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan borders. It is a very easy and straightforward process, making it one of the easiest border crossings in Central Asia. The whole journey doesn’t take more than 4 hours. 

Before you go: Have you visited epic Kolsai Lakes in Kazakhstan?

Things you need to know

• Visa – Free visas are issued for most nationalities. You can check the exact information here. 

• Covid-19 – as of July 2022, the borders are open without restrictions 

• Exchange money before the borders – you will get the best rate in Korday before crossing the border 

• Passport validity – make sure your passport is valid for another six months 

Read: Visit Kazakh Grand Canyon: Ultimate guide to Charyn Canyon 

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Korday – Border Location 

Korday border crossing is located around 210 km and a 3-hour ride from Almaty. The road and the way are in very good condition, so there are usually no delays in transportation. 

• Korday – the closest town to the border on the Kazakh side, right at the borders

• Bishkek – the nearest town to the border on the Kyrgyz side, 25 km from the border

Read: Visit Almaty: The largest city in Kazakhstan

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How to get from Almaty (Kazakhstan) to the Kyrgyz Borders (Korday) 

After the pandemic, buses are not running between Almaty and Bishkek as they used to be before (see the updated information below). This is unfortunate, as many taxi drivers will try to take advantage of you and charge extra money. Please be aware of that and follow the prices we write below for reference. 

These days, you need to break the journey into two parts. But don’t worry, it’s very easy. First, take a shared taxi from Almaty to Korday, where is the border crossing. Pass the border on foot. And hop on the bus waiting on the other side of the border. Read further for a detailed description. 

Distance: 210 km

Time: 3 hours 

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Shared taxi 

The best way to get from Almaty to Korday is shared taxi (the point of border crossing between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). It costs KZT 5000. The shared taxi station is located by the Royal Petro Gas station. Opposite the street of Sayran Bus Station ($10) with en exact location here. 

You will hear the guys yelling Bishkek. There are several taxis always waiting. Once they are full, they go. There is no set schedule, but they run from the early morning until late evening. We waited around half an hour for the taxi to fill, but because the one we went with had 6 seats. Other cars have just 4, therefore leaving much faster. At the time we were leaving, another 2 cars filled up to go to the border, so it’s a busy point for locals that go to the borders. The driver makes one break halfway to stop for a cigarette and toilet (KZT 50). The whole journey takes 3 hours of drive through the endless Kazakh steppes. 

You can take the bus (KZT 150, $0.3) from the city centre to the Royal Petro Gas Station. Buses: 16, 37, 126, 201, 206 

• Price: KZT 5000 ($10)

Sayakhat Bus station is another place from where the shared taxi to Korday leaves. But we don’t recommend you to go there. We read several reports from other travellers, including friends who crossed the borders a few days before us, saying they charge you KZT 30000 ($63)! Crazy, right? Those guys know you came for a bus that is no longer running; therefore, try to overcharge you since you don’t have any other option than to go with them. In case you don’t know about the option above, we just told you. 

• Price: KZT 30 000 ($63) or good negotiation skills

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Yandex 

You can call a taxi through the Yandex app. If you team up with fellow travellers, the price is similar to a shared taxi, and you get a pick-up from your hotel. It also takes 3 hours to reach the border at Korday. 

• Price: KZT 23 000 ($48)

Our Tip: In Almaty, we stayed in a very nice place called the Wanderlust Hostel. There is everything you need and much more. The big equipped kitchen and the outside terrace were the cherries on the top. We stayed almost three weeks there, and if we return to Almaty, we will stay there again. They have private rooms, dorms, a living room with comfy couches, and fast wifi, and they are located a short walk from the city centre. 

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How it used to be before covid and what to expect in future

Before the pandemic, frequent minibuses (marshrutkas) were running from the Sayran Bus Station in Almaty. It used to go from early morning to the evening with the last one at 7pm. The advantage is, obviously, the price, but also they drive you all the way to Bishkek (Western Bus Station in Bishkek), rather than just to the borders. 

Note: They cancelled this minibus since the Covid-19 hit, and there is no information on how it will resume in future. We recommend you keep your eye open and ask locals if they know if the bus will run again. Or, if you have enough time in Almaty, you can go to the Sayran Bus Station to ask. And please let us know in the comments any updates.

• Price: KZT 1800 ($4)

Update March 2023: There are now bus departing from Sayran station. There are 4 buses per day at 8, 12, 16, and 18 o’clock. The journey takes around 4 hours and cost 2500 KZT.

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Crossing the border 

The shared taxi will drop you off right at the entrance to the border hall on the Kazakh side. First, you go through the passport check, get a stamp, and that’s it on the Kazakh side. It is a very smooth and easy process. 

Then go through the designated path to another building on the Kyrgyz side. There they check your passport, give you a stamp and welcome to Kyrgyzstan! The whole border crossing took us maybe 30 minutes. We arrived around 1pm. 

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How to get from the border (Kyrgyzstan) to Bishkek 

Once you walk out of the building, you will see many taxi drivers offering you a ride to Bishkek. They are expensive, so unless you want a private ride, ignore them and go further, roughly 300 m. You will see a car park on your right with marshrutkas (minibuses) waiting. They go to Bishkek regularly during the whole day. 

Distance: 21 km

Time: 30 minutes 

Marshrutkas with numbers #333 and #285 are the ones you want to take to get to Bishkek city centre. It is around 21 km, and it will take half an hour. They go towards the Tsum Shopping Center, following Jibek Joli Ave.

• Price: KGS 35 ($0.4)

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Remember to get travel insurance for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan! 

Travel insurance for Kyrgyzstan is not mandatory. However, you would be crazy to travel without one. In Kyrgyzstan, there are places at a high altitude that some companies don’t cover. Make sure you know what altitude your travel insurance cover. Otherwise, it might happen you won’t get any refund in case of an accident! One of the good companies that cover high-altitude trekking (or just passing by with a taxi), horse riding and many other activities you might do is IATI Insurance. As a reader of Broken Navigation, you can get your 5% discount. 

Get your 5% discount with IATI Insurance here.

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Tip: Money Exchange 

Before entering Kyrgyzstan, it is a good idea to exchange some Kyrgyz Som. You can easily do that in Almaty in one of the exchange offices around the centre. Or, exchange it in Korday. You can ask the shared taxi driver to stop at the exchange office for you. That’s what we did. They have an excellent exchange rate; we even got more than the rate we found online. You will need money for marshrutka to Bishkek, so make sure you have at least some cash. 

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Where to stay in Bishkek 

Bishkek has cheaper accommodation than Almaty, and there are plenty of options around the city centre. However, in summer the best ones are usually booked days in advance, so if you know when you will come, it’s a good idea to book in advance. We always booked a hostel that we could cancel/change anytime, so we are more flexible. See our recommendations below. 

Budget I Dos Guesthouse – we stayed here, and we recommend you to do the same, as this place is a pearl in Bishkek. For KGS 950 ($11), you get a double room, a very good homemade breakfast, fast wifi and an awesome location. We stayed 3 nights and loved everything. There is also a kitchen you can use. You stay with a local family, and there are only 4 rooms, making it a very peaceful place. 

Budget I Koisha – a hotspot for backpackers. If you want to meet fellow travellers, go there. They have an aiming garden with many cosy corners to chill, including a hammock. How cool is that? Dorms, as well as private rooms, kitchen to use and the location is close to the market. 

Mid-Range I Silk Road Guesthouse – for a little higher price, you get a very stylish place that feels nice and cosy. Located next to the market, and again. The design is just wow. Breakfast is included, and if you come on hot days, don’t worry as the rooms have air conditioning. 

Luxury I Plaza Hotel Bishkek – Try Plaza Hotel Bishkek for a little piece of luxury. And it’s not even that expensive! They have a pool, buffet breakfast and luxury decorated interior. The location is right in the city centre. 

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Bishkek

Visiting Bishkek is often shadowed by the marvellous mountains nearby, where most travellers are heading. To explore a perfect example of Soviet times, make sure you have at least 2 days in Bishkek. 

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Visit Kazakhstan’s toP places 

How to visit Charyn Canyon from Almaty

Detailed travel guide to Kolsai Lakes

Top 8 incredible day and multi-day trips from Almaty

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