Bishkek Guide for Budget Travelers
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Bishkek is a bustling capital city in the northern part of Kyrgyzstan. The once Soviet Union metropolis has some charm residing in the local areas of the city. Bishkek isn't the most beautiful in Central Asia, but it does make up for the lack of beauty by having some of the most unique foods, cultural events and interesting lifestyles in the world. Kyrgyzstan is a former Soviet Union state, practices Islam and has Mongolian roots from the Genghis Khan years in the late 1100s.
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Price of Services in Bishkek
Hostels - Hostels in Bishkek are similar to Eastern European living. The starting price is 477 Kyrgyzstan Som ($7USD or 6€) on the weekday in the non-peak season. You'll get a 10-20 dorm room at this price. Anything under 10 beds will usually cost more. Expect to pay 615KGS ($8USD or 7€) or more for an 8 person dorm room during the non-peak season during the week. Private dorm rooms will start around 700KGS ($10USD or 9€). During the peak season, prices will increase because of demand. Weekend prices will always increase because of availability and demand.
Food Costs - Food in Bishkek is extremely cheap. Expect to pay 100KGS ($1.50USD or 1€) for a budget breakfast, 100KGS ($1.50USD or 1€) for a budget lunch and 200KGS ($3USD or 3€) for a budget dinner. Upper scale restaurants will be similar to a average meal in the US ($8USD or 7€). Expect to pay 70KGS ($1USD or .92€) for a beer (.5L).
Transportation - Transportation in Bishkek is cheap. A taxi from the main airport to the city center will cost around 300-500KGS ($4.50USD or 4€ - $7.25USD or 6.50€). Don't pay more than 500KGS for a taxi from the main airport to the city center. The taxi drivers will try to scam you. A taxi will charge 20KGS ($.30USD or .28€) per 3km of travel. There are no public buses from the main airport to the city center. Metro buses and trams are also a good option for city travel at 20KGS ($.30USD or .28€) for any stop in the city.
Activities - Museums will cost upward of 140KGS ($2USD or 1.75€) for the popular exhibitions like State History Museum. Other museums will be half that price. For tours outside of the city, don't expect to find anything on the cheap end like most of Kyrgyzstan. Private tours are usually more expensive anywhere you go.
Food Costs - Food in Bishkek is extremely cheap. Expect to pay 100KGS ($1.50USD or 1€) for a budget breakfast, 100KGS ($1.50USD or 1€) for a budget lunch and 200KGS ($3USD or 3€) for a budget dinner. Upper scale restaurants will be similar to a average meal in the US ($8USD or 7€). Expect to pay 70KGS ($1USD or .92€) for a beer (.5L).
Transportation - Transportation in Bishkek is cheap. A taxi from the main airport to the city center will cost around 300-500KGS ($4.50USD or 4€ - $7.25USD or 6.50€). Don't pay more than 500KGS for a taxi from the main airport to the city center. The taxi drivers will try to scam you. A taxi will charge 20KGS ($.30USD or .28€) per 3km of travel. There are no public buses from the main airport to the city center. Metro buses and trams are also a good option for city travel at 20KGS ($.30USD or .28€) for any stop in the city.
Activities - Museums will cost upward of 140KGS ($2USD or 1.75€) for the popular exhibitions like State History Museum. Other museums will be half that price. For tours outside of the city, don't expect to find anything on the cheap end like most of Kyrgyzstan. Private tours are usually more expensive anywhere you go.
Best Ways to Save Money
Book in Advance - To save some added dough, always book your transportation, hostels and tours in advance. Doing this can save upward of 20-30%.
Take Taxi - Taxis are extremely cheap in Bishkek. Buses are unreliable in the city. If you want a quick cheap ride, call up a cab. Never pay more than 150KGS for any ride in the city.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 50-60% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 70KGS ($1USD or .92€) per bottle. Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 400KGS ($6USD or 5.50€) a day.
Eat Local - There are a ton of cheap shops that sell chicken kebab meat sandwiches and local Kyrgyz food. It's easy to spend 272KGS ($4USD or 3.50€) total for all three meals.
Take Taxi - Taxis are extremely cheap in Bishkek. Buses are unreliable in the city. If you want a quick cheap ride, call up a cab. Never pay more than 150KGS for any ride in the city.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 50-60% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 70KGS ($1USD or .92€) per bottle. Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 400KGS ($6USD or 5.50€) a day.
Eat Local - There are a ton of cheap shops that sell chicken kebab meat sandwiches and local Kyrgyz food. It's easy to spend 272KGS ($4USD or 3.50€) total for all three meals.
Hidden Gems
The Landscape - The mountain ranges and lush hills in the rural areas are outstanding for hikes, extreme trekking and winter sports.
Unique Foods - Kyrgyz food is something everyone needs to try at some point. It may not be the tastiest food in the world, but it may be the most unique. From sheep brains to cow toe jelly, Kyrgyz food is something to remember.
Unique Foods - Kyrgyz food is something everyone needs to try at some point. It may not be the tastiest food in the world, but it may be the most unique. From sheep brains to cow toe jelly, Kyrgyz food is something to remember.
Red Flags
Taxi Scams - Be sure to negotiate your taxi rides. Most credible taxis services will use a meter. But if you grab a cab off the street, you'll need to find a middle ground in price. Never pay more than 150KGS for a taxi ride in the city. Anything more than that is a scam. Be sure to make a few local friends who can help you navigate your way through this city.
Harassment Toward Women - For the female travelers, men don't take kindly to foreign women. Be sure to always have someone with you when going out at night. Kyrgyz men aren't respectful and can get aggressive. There have been horror stories of sexual assault and rape of foreign travelers in this country. It is rare, but it can happen at any time. It's best to travel with at least one person while in this region of the world.
Food Poisoning - Food poisoning is a common occurrence in all of Kyrgyzstan. There's no way around it unless you have a strong immune system. Be sure to eat lightly and watch what you eat. If you are weary about this problem, stick to more expensive western restaurants in the city center.
Toilets - The restroom situation in the entirety of this region is bleak. There are no proper western toilets. The only way you can deposit your goods is to squat above a hole cut into the floor. It'll take some getting used to, but it's not something to freak out about. Use your trvael knowledge to learn something new.
Harassment Toward Women - For the female travelers, men don't take kindly to foreign women. Be sure to always have someone with you when going out at night. Kyrgyz men aren't respectful and can get aggressive. There have been horror stories of sexual assault and rape of foreign travelers in this country. It is rare, but it can happen at any time. It's best to travel with at least one person while in this region of the world.
Food Poisoning - Food poisoning is a common occurrence in all of Kyrgyzstan. There's no way around it unless you have a strong immune system. Be sure to eat lightly and watch what you eat. If you are weary about this problem, stick to more expensive western restaurants in the city center.
Toilets - The restroom situation in the entirety of this region is bleak. There are no proper western toilets. The only way you can deposit your goods is to squat above a hole cut into the floor. It'll take some getting used to, but it's not something to freak out about. Use your trvael knowledge to learn something new.
Top 3 Things To Do in Bishkek While on a Budget
#3 Osh BaazarThe main market in Bishkek is stoked with interesting foods, entertainment and the overall Kyrgyz experience. Walk around the stalls and try fermented horse milk (gross but worth the try) and the local cheeses.
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#2 Lake Issyk-KulTake a break from the bustle lifestyle of Bishkek by hanging out at the beaches of Lake Issyk-Kul. One of the largest lakes in Central Asia, Issyk-Kul is a fruitful waterway for Kyrgyz locals and a hotspot for tourists.
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#1 Ala-Archa Gorge
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