Bicycle on bus in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

[LievenDeVlaminck]

Hi all,

We’re planning our first trip to the Stans in August/September this year. Part of the trip will be by bicycle.
We are somewhat limited in time, and we would like to take our bicycles on the bus in Kyrgyzstan and/or Kazakhstan between larger cities. Is it possible to take our bikes on the bus?

We’re considering the following trajectories:
- Bishkek - Almaty (including border crossing)
- Almaty - Kegen in Kazakhstan
- Karakol - Bishkek
- Balykchy - Bishkek

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Lieven.

[Milad]

Taking your bike on a bus is impossible if the bus is of the marshrutka-type (think Mercedes Sprinter - no way you can fit a bike in there), it may or may not be possible if there is a "real", large, bus and you can partially dismantle your bike to make it fit into the trunk under the floor.

In Kyrgyzstan, including Bishkek - Almaty, (almost?) all buses are marshrutkas, meaning no bikes. For Almaty - Kegen, I don't know but would not be optimistic.

For Balkychy - Bishkek, keep in mind that there is a daily train in summer. While the train does not officially carry bikes either, there is a chance that you will be able to take your bike unofficially (if the train guards are reluctant, a tip will help).

[Virusman]

it will be very difficult to take public transport with your bicycles. You will loose time in the process.

If you can afford and still want to hassle taking your bicycles in a car + waste riding time private taxi is what you are looking for..expect to have to negotiate for the price as the bicycles could damage taxi are they are not equipped to carry such things in Kirghizstan only people who cannot afford a donkey , horse or car ride bicycles

If you ride light I think it is doable to cycle from Bishkek - Karakol in 2 days, 3 if you want want shorter days
First day to Balykchy (hotel and guesthouse), next day to hot spring location at the end of Issyk kul north shore
half day left to reach Karakol area

Do what you want around Karakol

Then way back to Bishkek by South shore (2,5days), or with a private transport if you are tired or getting short in time

i know Almaty got skipped, i don't think it is interesting to ride a bicycle in a city but if you want to get there why not someone else might give you another input about that

[RollingTreeHouse]

An option for Balykchy-Bishkek and Bishkek-Almaty would be to take the train, as there will certainly be space for your bicycle on the train, especially if you book the compartment of four people for yourself and/or tip the attendants.

Balykchy - Bishkek is straightforward once a day, very scenic, fairly slow.
For Bishkek-Almaty, you'll have a direct train taking 14 hours about once a week, more connections are available if you change once in Kazakhstan at Lugovoy (also known as "Turksib").