Getting there & away
Karakol’s long-distance bus station (Przhevalskogo) has a mix of comfortable modern buses and tired Soviet-era buses to Bishkek (190som, eight hours) hourly between 7am and 3pm, and at night between 8pm and 11pm. These stop in Cholpon-Ata (80som) and Balykchy (110som) following the northern shore route.
Out in front of the long-distance bus station are faster arenda (buses that leave when full; 200som) and shared taxis (450som) to Bishkek. There is one bus a day in summer to Almaty (450som) but note that this runs via Bishkek not the Karkara Valley.
Buses also run via the southern shore fromthe southern bus stand (Toktogul) to Bishkek four times daily and will drop you at Barskoön (55som), Tamga (60som), Bokonbayevo (80som) and Balykchy (120som). The first scheduled departure is at 9.30am, the last at 3.30pm. For Naryn and Kochkor, change at Balykchy.
Minibuses and shared taxis also depart from here for all southern-shore destinations when full.
Most local buses (eg to Pristan Prahevalsk, Ak-Suu, Jeti-Öghüz and Barskoön) go from the local bus stand in the centre of town, at the Ak Tilek Bazaar. You will also find taxis here for local hire around the region, but agree on a price and waiting time beforehand.
Flights to Bishkek and Osh remain suspended although the airline ticketing office at the airport can sell tickets departing from Bishkek or Osh airports.
Karakol
- Karakol Overview
-
Getting there & around
- Practical information
- History
Things to do
- Restaurants (5)
- Shopping (2)
- Sights (5)
