Almaty-Yining-Urumqi bus: reports, Q&A

[steven]

Please read and post reports and questions about the Almaty-Yining bus service below.

[steven]

Please read and post reports on the Almaty - Urumqi bus below.

We summarize all info on the Kazakhstan border crossings and Almaty transport pages.

[funkyboots]

Does anyone know what time the sleeper buses leave Almaty for Urumqi, and what time they get to the border? For visa reasons, I need to time it so I enter no more than 30 days before my flight out of China...
Thanks in advance for any input!
Cheers,
Lisa

[cyclolenti]

The bus from Almaty to Urumqi leave at 7am every morning from Sayran Bus Station. Better to buy ticket at least the day before. This information come too late for you I imagine, but could be useful for other travelers.

[arthurschmidt2000]

The books describe very well how to go from Urumqi to Almaty.

There is an alternative via Yining. A hard sleeper from Uru is Y160. The ride takes you 8 to 9 h.

In Yining base yourself in the youth hostel. The staff speaks English. Make a reservation by booking.com. There you are shown the adress of the YH in Chinese characters. As it ist located in a small street don't be surprised if the 1st taxi driver does not know it. Taxi from the railway station was Y 20.

From Yining is a bus on monday and thursday to Almaty.

OR:

Take a bus to Khorgos (100 km, Y20, 1,5 hrs). The bus terminal is +- 1 km away from the YH.

Buy a bus ticket. Don't worry about the given depature times. The frequently running minibuses leave when they are full.

In Khorgos the bus terminates in front of the bus station. Inside the bus station you must buy a Kazhakstan bus ticket for steep Y 70. Without that ticket you can't enter the immigration area.

Walk 500m ++ to the Chinese immigration. Pass it and wait for the bus.

On the KZ side pass the immigration. Wait for the bus. It will drop you on a place where the taxis are waiting for you.

Or, while waiting for the bus, someone will offer you a ride.

I choosed the latter option and had a front seat for 5000 Tenge.

If you know where to stay in Almaty the taxi will take you there.

You must pay before you leave. Don't worry, if you have to change the car.

Only on the Chinese side of the border are money changers.

It took me 12 hrs from the YH to my place in Almaty. So don't leave the YH after 10.

[doug27]

Hi guys,

I've seen the article about making the crossing from Yining and the forum post about buses leaving from Urumqi twice a week, I was just wondering if anyone knew whether this was still accurate and hasnt become any more frequent?
It looks like buses go KZ to CN every day but from Urumqi only twice a week?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Doug

[Ewcyna]

Hi Doug, last month I checked it, tge bus was not every day, but if you still need exact info I can get to the bus station no problem, I live in Urumqi and it is not far.
E

[doug27]

Hi E,
If you're not far that would be really helpful, but please dont go far out your way!
Thanks a lot,
Doug

[Ewcyna]

Hi, not too far, passed by today.
The bus us every day now at 7 PM Bejing time, it takes one day, 24 hours to get to Almaty. Tickets at 440 and 460 RMB, lower and upper bed.
The bus station is a bit tricky to find though, looks like a backyard actually.. just one small sign at the main Renmin Lu street.
Hope it helps, Ewa

[doug27]

Thanks a lot Ewa. Appreciate your time!