This travel guide contains clear information on how to get from Bishkek to Osh, exact prices and location of local shared taxis, and all the information you need to know to comfortably get to Osh and make the most of the journey.
We travelled between Bishkek and Osh, and to our surprise, it was a very pleasant way. We took a shared taxi from Bishkek, so we could enjoy the amazing scenery along the way, which by the way, is the reason why we recommend you travel by shared taxi rather than flight; it is really worth it.
HOW TO GET FROM BISHKEK TO OSH
There is no public transport between Bishkek and Osh, so you have three options. Shared taxis take 12 hours, but it is so worth it for the views along the way. Flight is just 40 minutes, and it’s the quickest option, and the night cargo bus is the ultimate adventure. Of course, you can also hitchhike, which would be possible since the road is frequently travelled and there are many yurts and small villages along the way, especially the closer you get to Osh.
SHARED TAXI
- Duration: 11-12 hours
- Distance: +- 600 km
- Road conditions: very good
Where to find a shared taxi in Bishkek
You can easily take a shared taxi from Bishkek. They leave since an early morning (we were told they start around 6am), and they run throughout the whole day. There are two places from where the shared taxis leave. Either from the Western Bus station or the south of Osh Bazaar. Click here for the exact location.
We went from the South of Osh Bazaar, as we were told it is where locals go, and the prices are lower and negotiable. From what we saw, we can confirm that when we arrived around 8:45am, many shared taxis were waiting, and our car got filled up immediately, so we didn’t wait.
We noticed that drivers in Kyrgyzstan, in most cases, tend to lie and overcharge. They’re telling you there is not this and that transport. But don’t fall for it. Read the reports like this one and stay your ground.
Tip: We recommend you stay in Dos Guesthouse in Bishkek. The family-run place is quiet and comfortable, staying close to the centre. For an unbeatable price, you get an amazing homemade breakfast, wifi, a kitchen, and a comfortable private room. The family makes sure you feel like at home, and if we ever will be back to Bishkek, we will come to Dos Guesthouse.
Price
The ride with a shared taxi costs 1500 som per person. But it all depends on how well you negotiate. In our car, everyone paid differently. A local girl in our car paid even 2000 som. We negotiated 1500 som, and our host even told us the prices start at 1250 som.
Front seat: we heard you can pay extra 200 som for a front seat, but Jakub was offered the front seat because we came first and we didn’t pay anything extra for it.
The journey
Once you turn to the mountain road, the scenery gets amazing. We felt like going through the mountains of Jurassic Park. You will see a lot of sheep and horses sometimes stopping the traffic; it’s a really wild part of Kyrgyzstan. After 2 hours of ride, we saw occasional yurts selling food and drinks. Some yurts were for nomads, who came for summer as their animals ran freely in the mountains.
The second half of the drive goes more often through the small villages, and soon you drive right along the border with Uzbekistan. The Ferganna Valley is just a few meters from the road. The road is in fantastic condition, and our 12 hours ride felt quite comfortable even when sharing with the other two passengers. We did 1 lunch break and 2 quick stops to stretch our bodies and have a drink from a stall along the road.
Once we arrived in Osh, our driver dropped us off in the centre, and then we called Yandex to take us a further 2 km to our guesthouse.
Essential reading: A Quick Guide to Visiting Fairytale Skazka Canyon, Kyrgyzstan
Where to eat along the way
There are a few ,,stolovaja” – the local eateries along the way, and your taxi driver will for sure stop for lunch in one of them. You can also buy some small snacks, ice cream or water. If you want something specific, it is better to bring it with you.
Tip: You can break the journey into more days if you want. Sleep in one of the villages along the way on the first day. A great option could be Toktogul, which is a 6-hour drive from Osh. You can visit Toktogul Reservoir, the impressive blueish lake with magnificent mountains. To reach the lake, you need to walk roughly 6 km. You can hitchhike, as there are sometimes locals going by. To go to Osh the next day, catch a shared taxi from Toktogul to Osh.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Kyrgyzstan is a specific country to travel to as you get to High altitudes of over 3000 m, take a horse ride or do any other adventurous stuff. Your travel insurance probably doesn’t cover these activities, and it is important to check before you come that you have an upgraded version which covers these things. One of a few insurance providers that provide full coverage of hiking activities, horse riding tours, high altitude trekking & much more is IATI Insurance. They also cover expenses regarding Covid 19, and you can arrange it even if you’re already travelling. As a reader of Broken Navigation, you also get an exclusive 5% discount for any travel insurance you choose.
Get your 5% discount with IATI Insurance through this link.
FLIGHT BISHKEK – OSH
Frequent flights connect Bishkek with Osh, and it’s a very fast way how to travel between those two cities. It is a 40-minute flight, and the price is around $40. You can buy the tickets on the official Avia traffic web page. If you buy the ticket with providers on Skyscanner, the price is high – around $100.
TRANS ASIA EXPRESS
Option for adventurers and budget travellers, there is a night cargo bus. However, you will miss out on many wonderful views. This bus transport goods between Bishkek and Osh and can also take a few passengers. Multiple Cargo buses leave daily around 4pm close to Dordoi market (location here), it takes around 14 hours, and you can un/comfortably lie on your bed. The price is more or less 1000 som. You can contact the company on their WhatsApp number, +996778977477, or just show up and secure your spot personally.
Read: 3-day epic hike to Ala Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan
HOW TO GET FROM OSH TO BISHKEK
Buses leave from early morning till late from this street in Osh. Walking around, we still saw plenty of taxis waiting for passengers around 5pm. The price should be lower than from Bishkek to Osh.
OPTIONAL WAY
If you travel from the direction of Issyk Kul or do a horse trekking in Song Kul Lake, you might not be tempted to return to Bishkek to catch a shared taxi to Osh. Alternatively, you can take a marshrutka to Naryn. This marshrutka leaves from many places, such as Balykchy or Kochkor.
From Naryn, you can take shared taxis through the mountainous road that leads to Osh and is similarly beautiful as the winding road between Bishkek and Osh from the north. Expect the prices to be higher than in Bishkek.
Where to stay in Osh
Choosing where to stay in Osh might be overwhelming, as the hostels are all around the city.
Budget I Sunny hostel – many alpinists and backpackers meet in this place. We stayed 4 nights and felt really well in a good community of travellers. You can stay in a private room or dorms, there is a kitchen, and you can arrange lots of hikes and activities through the reception. It is also possible to buy gas for your camping stove here.
Budget I Lovely Home for You – another place travellers meet is Lovely Home For You. There is a nice garden where you can relax, and they also help you organise hiking activities.
Mid-Range I Art Hotel Osh – this hotel offers more luxury and comfort,, than the other options in the area. The rooms are nicely decorated, and breakfast is included in the price. You can hire a bike if you like exploring the area on a bicycle.
Read more: Discover the Best of Osh: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
MORE FROM KYRGYZSTAN
Four day hike over Ala Kul Lake pass: Epic hike in Kyrgyzstan
Top things to do in Karakol & The Best Day Trips
Korday Border Crossing: Almaty to Bishkek (Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan)
Visit Osh: Our favourite city in Kyrgyzstan
A quick guide to visiting Fairytale Canyon, Kyrgyzstan
MORE FROM CENTRAL ASIA
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SAVE IT!
It’s time to plan your trip!
Find our travel resources below that help you plan your next trip. Good luck and safe travels.
Book your flight
Skyscanner is our favourite tool for searching for the cheapest flights and flight combinations. Multi-city or Explore Everywhere helps us to find real bargains.
Rent a car
The best platform to rent a car and compare the prices for your next road trip anywhere in the world is Discovercars.com. The booking process is hassle-free.
Find your acommodation
On Booking.com we always find the best deals for accommodation. Another great option for cheap accommodation is Hostelworld.
Travel insurance
We always recommend IATI Travel Insurance which offers excellent plans. As a reader of Broken Navigation, get an exclusive 5% discount.
For Europeans Truetraveller offers perfect travel insurance for the best price.
Explore more with Tours
Some places are better off explored with a knowledgeable guide. Or, if you simply want to save time and hassle, we recommend GetYourGuide. Another great option that also has an amazing range of activities is Viator.
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