Kyrgyzstan

Travel tips for Kyrgyzstan: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards widely accepted. While cards and contactless payments work well in Bishkek's supermarkets, restaurants, and on city buses, you will need cash for street markets, small vendors, and traveling anywhere outside the capital.

Try the food

  • Beshbarmak (Бешбармак): A hearty dish of boiled meat, usually mutton or horse, served over homemade noodles and topped with an onion broth.
  • Manty (Манты): Large, steamed dumplings generously filled with minced lamb or beef, onions, and sometimes pumpkin.
  • Kuurdak (Куурдак): A traditional roasted meat dish made with chunks of beef or mutton, potatoes, and onions cooked in fat.

Say it in Kyrgyz

  • Hello: Саламатсызбы (Salamatsyzby)
  • Thank you: Рахмат (Rakhmat)
  • Please: Сураныч (Suranych)
  • Excuse me: Кечиресиз (Kechiresiz)
  • How much is this?: Бул канча турат? (Bul kancha turat?)
  • The bill please: Эсепти берип коюңузчу (Esepti berip koyunguzchu)
  • Yes / No: Ооба / Жок (Ooba / Jok)
  • Goodbye: Жакшы калыңыз (Jakshy kalyngyz)

Essentials

Voltage
220V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
SIM tip
Purchase a local SIM card from providers like O!, Megacom, or Beeline at Manas International Airport for inexpensive and widely available 4G data.

Etiquette

Always remove your shoes when entering a local home or yurt, and be aware that a 10-15% service charge is usually automatically added to restaurant bills.

Airports in Kyrgyzstan