Travel Tips – Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Passport Control: To cross the border with Kyrgyzstan, you must have a valid foreign passport with a visa. 

Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel: At the international airport in Bishkek upon arrival, after passing through passport and customs control, you are met by a representative with a sign and escorted to the transfer service, which follows the hotel where you will stay for the period of your stay in Bishkek.

Electricity/ Circuit: To ensure you can use your electrical appliances safely whilst abroad.

There are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug that has two round pins and plug type F is the plug that has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Kazakhstan operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Time: The whole country lives according to the time of the capital Bishkek (GMT + 6)

Excursions and activities: Going on excursions, carefully listen to the recommendations of the guide on clothes, for comfortable and convenient travel to interesting places.

Guided tours: Collecting for group and individual excursions are strictly at the appointed time and the place indicated in the excursion program and agreed with the guide on the eve. The maximum waiting time is 10 minutes. If you are late for a tour, no claims for services rendered are accepted. For any possible fine for refusal/impossibility of visiting the tour, please contact the company representative.

Telephone communications: The telephone code of Kyrgyzstan is +996. When calling Kyrgyzstan from other countries, it is necessary to dial the country code. 

Connectivity: Several GSM operators operate in Kyrgyzstan: Beeline (by Sky Mobile), MegaCom (by JSC Alpha Telecom), and O! (by Nur Telecom). You can ask for assistance to buy a SIM card from representatives of a Travel Company. 

Currency exchange: The exchange of foreign currency is made in the branches of Kyrgyzstan banks, which are available in hotels, large stores, and on the streets of the city. The national currency of Kyrgyzstan is the “ SOM”. Banknotes with denominations of  20 som, 50 som, 100 som, 500 som, 200 som, 1000 som, 5000 som are in circulation.

Som is the only legal tender in the territory of Kyrgyzstan.

01 USD = 78 SOM (20 May 2022)

Credit cards: Most accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus, Maestro, and InterBank cards. ATMs are not available outside larger cities. Outside of Bishkek the acceptance of credit/debit cards is very limited.

First Aid Kit: For those who regularly take medicines, it is recommended to take them with you.

The guide has a formed first-aid kit, which is useful for you with mild indispositions, will save time in finding necessary medications, and will save you from problems.

Weather: The climate in Kyrgyzstan is generally sunny, averaging only about 70 days of rain a year. The climate is continental because Kyrgyzstan is located so far from any ocean. Though the summers in the cities can get quite hot, the mountains remain colder even in the hottest months. Winters are cold and snowy everywhere, especially at higher elevations. Days tend to be significantly warmer than nights, but the general climate of Kyrgyzstan is quite pleasant, with four defined seasons. In Bishkek, winter is mostly sunny, with occasional heavy fog and snowstorms. The average daily high in winter reaches 3° C (37.4° F). Spring is generally mild, with the first hot days coming in May and June. During the summer, the temperature averages 31° C (87.8° F), though temperatures can soar even higher, as high as 45° C (113° F). Many places have air conditioning, but certainly not all. In fall, all the leaves turn bright colors, and rainy days are more common. Spring and fall tend to be shorter than winter and summer.

Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in the premises, in all shopping centers, restaurants, and cafes there is certainly a special zone for smokers. 

Transport: According to the international rules of tourist transportation, all passengers of the bus must be fastened - if there are seat belts in all places (if the belts are only on the first row, then only the first row of tourists should be fastened). It is forbidden to walk around the cabin while the bus is moving! During the city tour, as well as the location of the bus in the border control zone, it is NOT allowed to lower the backs of the seats. It is strictly forbidden to put bags in the aisles. For safety reasons, the passage must be free. Do not distract the driver while driving. All offers and wishes intended for the driver - transfer through your guide-escort. Personal things and small hand luggage should be placed on storage shelves that are located above the seats. Passengers can be boarded and disembarked only when the vehicle is completely stopped. If there is no specially allocated parking space near the facility/restaurant, landing/disembarkation takes place on the carriageway, it is necessary to look around and make sure the entrance/exit safety is safe from/to the transport. The passenger is liable for the damage caused to him by the vehicle and its equipment.

Taxi: In all major cities of Kyrgyzstan today there are no problems with finding a taxi. You can book a taxi through the reception of the hotel or a representative of the Travel Company, on the base of cash settlement only. It is better to specify the cost of transportation in advance. At night and beyond the city limits the tariff may be increased. Sometimes an additional charge is charged (in case of waiting or a double address). Grab a business card with the address of your hotel and ask someone in the hotel to write the address you need or the name of the object you are going to.

Shopping souvenirs: Shopping and entertainment centers are open daily from 10:00 to 21:00.

Hotel Accommodation: Check-in at the hotel, usually takes place after 14:00. Upon arrival for accommodation at the hotel you need to present your passport. Some five-star hotels in Kyrgyzstan charge tourists a deposit of $ 100-300 as a deposit for future additional services (minibars, phone calls, laundry services, etc.). When you check out of the hotel, the recalculation is made and the unused amount is refunded. It is also recommended that you take a hotel card so that, if you get lost in the city, go back without problems to the hotel. The address of the hotel is also indicated in the tourist's road book, which you were given along with the tourist's envelope. When checking into the hotel, find out what kinds of sports and entertainment are available to the guests free of charge, and which for an additional fee. When you leave the hotel at the end of your trip, you must return the room key before 12.00. The time of departure to the airport you will tell the guide the day before in person or leave a message at the reception of the hotel. When leaving the hotel, pay for additional services and take a document confirming payment.

TELEPHONES FOR EMERGENCY CASES

Police - 102

First Aid - 103