This travel guide contains information on how to cross borders from Osh, Kyrgyzstan, to Fergana, Uzbekistan, at Dostyk. This straightforward border crossing is just 8 km from Osh centre and takes you to Uzbek Fergana Valley, where you can either enjoy the most hospitable and kind people of Uzbekistan or continue to Tashkent & the rest of Uzbekistan. 

Dostyk border crossing is the largest crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, connecting Fergana Valley, often skipped by tourists, with the second biggest Kyrgyz city, Osh. It is the busiest crossing in the area, therefore, easy for foreigners to cross. The only trouble might be the waiting times. We crossed here in August 2022 during our 3.5 months long travel around Central Asia. 

HOW TO GET TO THE DOSTYK BORDER FROM OSH

The border crossing at Dostyk is just 8 km away from Osh. The cheapest is to take a marshrutka #138 along Lenin Avenue, or #116 or trolleybus #2. It costs just 15 000 UZS ($1.3) per person.

Order a Yandex taxi to pick you up from your hostel to save time. It costs around 130 000 UZS ($11). I would not waste money on a regular taxi, as they might ask for much more money and hey, it’s only a short drive.

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KYRGYZ SIDE OF DOSTYK BORDER

Everything goes smoothly, but expect queues. Even though there were just 4 people in front of us in the line, it took a hell of a time to go through. In the meantime, the immigration hall filled up with people completely. 

Read: Discover the Best of Osh: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

CHANGING MONEY

There are many exchange money stalls before you enter the immigration building. I recommend you change it there; the exchange rates are pretty good. And it’s good to have some money ready for the Uzbek side. 

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TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is not mandatory to have travel insurance neither for Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan. However, be careful and make sure you’re properly covered against different kinds of risks. Basic travel insurance usually doesn’t cover hiking in higher altitudes, horse riding or any special activities. However, IATI Insurance is one of few that does cover it, and also expenses regarding Covid 19. You can arrange the insurance while already travelling, which is fantastic. In addition, as a reader of Broken Navigation, you can get a 5% discount on any travel insurance. 

Get your 5% discount for travel insurance with IATI here.

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UZBEK SIDE OF DOSTYK BORDER

Once you walk through the land of no one, you’ll get to Uzbek immigration. Once they see you’re a foreigner, it’s a big chance they’ll let you go through the check preferentially. After your passport is stamped, your bags will be checked on X-ray. 

Note: Don’t carry any forbidden stuff, such as medicine with Codeine, as it is illegal in Uzbekistan; make sure you don’t have any photos of military or obscenity photos. 

The whole border crossing took around 45 minutes, So pretty easy and smooth, I would say. Foreigners are usually pushed to the front and skip the lines, so it will take little time for you. But again, this border crossing is usually busy, so expect it to take longer. 

We personally didn’t have any troubles; nobody checked anything except the regular X-ray luggage check.

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HOW TO GET FROM THE BORDER TO FERGANA, ANDIJAN OR TASHKENT

Once you get out of the border crossing, many taxi drivers are waiting to go to various locations. There are also some stalls with food and drinks, and this side of the border is busier than the Kyrgyz side.

Note that taxi drivers are hungry for your money and try to charge you ridiculous money sometimes, especially on the Kyrgyz side. Make sure you know the approximate prices before you go and negotiate! If it doesn’t work, walk further to the main road and stop a taxi yourself. This way it will be much cheaper. 

TO FERGANA/ANDIJAN

We travelled to Fergana and wanted to go directly, so we negotiated a shared taxi for 50 000 UZS ($4.3) per person. The drive took around 2 hours. 

Optionally you can take a marshrutka to Andijan (5 000 UZS) and then change again for a marshrutka or shared taxi to Fergana (30 000 UZS). 

From Andijon or Fergana, you will have an easy connection by marshrutkas or shared taxis to the rest of Fergana Valley – Margilan, Kokand, Rishtan & others. 

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TO TASHKENT

Shared taxis go directly from the border to Tashkent (120 000 UZS), but those are sometimes hard to negotiate and often charge a lot. So be ready for some negotiation. 

Shared taxi/marshrutka

Your best bet is to go to Andijan by Marshrutka (5 000 UZS) or Kokand first, from where you can take a shared taxi to Tashkent.

Train

The most comfortable way is to go by train between Kokand and Tashkent (40 000 UZS) or Andijan – Tashkent (60 000 UZS). These trains are frequent, and there is usually enough space so you don’t have to worry about booking before. 

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WHERE TO STAY

Fergana I Sakura Inn – the best place we stayed in the whole of Central Asia. It is unbelievably clean, comfortable, in the centre of Fergana. Wifi is fast, and the owner, Elsevar, is just the sweetest person you can ever meet. Not talking about the amazing price. 

Tashkent I Art Hostel – convenient location and place where backpackers meet. Stay either in dorms or private rooms; however, what makes these places special is the outside pool, which comes in handy in the summer months. And for a budget price, you won’t find better! The rooms have AC. 

Osh I Sunny Hostel – the perfect place for backpackers and mountaineers; you can rent hiking gear here and gas for cooking too. Private rooms are available, as well as dorms. The location is amazing, close to the centre and shops. 

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Visit Osh: Our favourite city in Kyrgyzstan

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