Hello everyone! I’m planning a trip and need some advice. What’s the best way to get from Bishkek to Almaty? I noticed that flights are quite pricey, so I’m looking for alternative options. Any suggestions on how to make this journey?
If you’re looking to travel between Bishkek and Almaty, I highly recommend taking the bus. There are frequent services running between the two cities—about five times a day. The buses depart from Sayran Bus Station in Almaty, starting at 8:00 AM. You’ll reach the border around 10:50 AM. Just a heads up, immigration can take about an hour, so plan for that. You should arrive at Bus Station in Bishkek around 1:15 PM local time, which is one hour ahead of Almaty.
The whole trip takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes and costs around $10).
One thing to keep in mind is that the bus stations are quite large and not centrally located. I suggest downloading the Yandex app; it’s similar to Uber and very affordable—around 30-40 cents per kilometer. If you don’t speak Russian, using Yandex will make your travels much easier.
Also, consider getting a local SIM card. They’re pretty cheap, around 500 som (about $6) for an unlimited plan lasting 28 days. This way, you can stay connected and use the app without any hassle.
You can purchase your bus tickets online, but I’m not sure about the reverse trip from Bishkek to Almaty. Should be pretty much the same. If you prefer marshrutkas (minibuses), those are available too, but if you want to secure a seat on the bus, it’s wise to book in advance since they can fill up quickly. Your hotel should be able to assist you with ticket reservations.
For more details on bus tickets in Almaty, check out this official site: ma-sairan.kz. Safe travels!