Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: How to Get From Bishkek to Manas International Airport

“It’s decision time again; our love will stretch a little bit” – Everything But The Girl.

Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: How to Get From Bishkek to Manas International Airport

Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: How to Get From Bishkek to Manas International Airport

Possibly the most important thing you can do when backpacking in Kyrgyzstan is to stay at Apple Hostel in Bishkek. Things run extremely smoothly from here. Not only is it the best hostel in the city (and probably the country) but location wise it can’t be any better for your journeys in and out.

My Amazing Month at Apple Hostel, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Apple Hostel, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

I have based myself in Bishkek from December 2015 to April 2016 and I have come and gone from the city a few times in that period. I’ve been doing the backpacking hard work, so you don’t have to. So expect a load of articles to come on Bishkek.

Dining out in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Dining out in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

I first arrived into Bishkek from Almaty in Kazakhstan and arrived to the west bus station. Apple Hostel is a 5 minute walk, if that.

West bus station, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

West bus station, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

West bus station, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

West bus station, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Leaving Bishkek, I twice left by flight and as a tight ass cheapskate budget whackpacker I wanted the cheapest way out. Taxis don’t do it for me anymore, so it’s out with a bang onto a classic Marshrutka.

Heading to Manas international airport in Kyrgyzstan

Heading to Manas international airport in Kyrgyzstan

Getting the Number 380 Marshrutka from Bishkek toManas Airport
From Apple Hostel walk along Jipek Joli past the bus station on your left and take the first major right hand junction onto Mahatma Gandhi Avenue (also called Molodaya Gvardia Boulevard). It’s a 4-6 minute walk and you can’t miss it due to two obvious landmarks:

1.The Indian Embassy on the right hand corner (Mahatma Gandhi Avenue also called Molodaya Gvardia Boulevard).

Indian Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Indian Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

2.A textbook Soviet era monument at the roundabout by the petrol station.

Soviet monument at roundabout

Soviet monument at roundabout

At the Indian Embassy turn right and walk down Mahatma Gandhi Avenue towards the junction where it meets Chui Avenue. Just before the junction there is a marshrutka stand with a number 380 mini bus. The bus will have Manas Airport and number 380 written on it. It looks like MAHAC A3PONOPT. The Marshrutka is white, and rarely do they get full. This is the first stop here, so you are getting on at the start.

Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: How to Get From Bishkek to Manas International Airport

Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: How to Get From Bishkek to Manas International Airport

Timings of 380 Marshrutka
The only bad news is that the Marshrutkas from Bishkek to Manas Airport only really run in daylight hours. From around 7 am to 7 pm. This means if you have an early flight, you’ll need to organise a lift to get there. Luckily my flights were around 9.30 – 11 am so the Marshrutka was perfect. I once got the first Marshrutka.

Getting the 380 airport Marshrutka

Getting the 380 airport Marshrutka

Getting the 380 airport Marshrutka

Getting the 380 airport Marshrutka

Price of 380 Marshrutka
As of March 2016, the marshrutka costs 40 Kyrgyz Som, that’s about 50 US cents, 40 UK pence. Payment in local cash only. No ticket is issued. You can’t book it in advance. There is no website etc. If you have travelled in ex-Soviet Union states before, you will know the score.

Sunrise in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Sunrise in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Timing from Bishkek to Manas International Airport
The timings vary due to traffic and the amount of times the driver stops, but generally it’s around 40 – 45 minutes. In bad traffic it could be an hour, in speed you could race it in 30 minutes.

Getting the 380 airport Marshrutka

Getting the 380 airport Marshrutka

Traffic in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Traffic in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Views on the way to Manas Airport

Views on the way to Manas Airport

Views on the way to Manas Airport

Views on the way to Manas Airport

Here are some videos I made on the 320 or 380 Marshrutka:

6 thoughts on “Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: How to Get From Bishkek to Manas International Airport

  • Hi Jonny.
    I’ll be in Bishkek late April and found your post about Marshrutka 380 very helpful !!!
    But I still have a tricky question 🙂
    As I’ll be staying in an hotel close to Victory Square, do you remember if 380 is going through city center or straight to airport via M39 ?
    Thanks a lot for you feedback and have a safe trip.
    Joel

  • Hi Joel, I’d recommend staying at Apple Hostel, trust me – best hostel in the city and pretty close to the Marshrutka stop. That Marshrutka doesn’t go near the city centre but there might be another one, or you can get a local connecting Marshrutka from the city centre to Mahatma Gandhi Avenue. Safe travels. Jonny

  • Thanks for your so prompt reply Jonny ! And I’m considering very seriously to stay there 🙂

  • Hey Jonny, I wanted too see if we could communicate about Bishkek, I have an upcoming trip and actually needed your advice on a few things if you have time? I can always email you personally if you like? Thanks man.

  • Hi Stewart, thanks for the comment. I spent 5 months in Bishkek and wrote extensively about it. However I don’t work here anymore, this website is supposed to be dead, due to liars, GuruGods and depression, so I am just replying to some emails and messages when I feel like it. My Bishkek top 20 is here – https://dontstopliving.net/backpacking-kyrgyzstan-top-20-sights-bishkek/ and my top 10 bars – https://dontstopliving.net/thirsty-thursdays-top-10-bars-bishkek-kyrgyzstan/ Safe travels. Jonny

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