Guide to the Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan border crossing at Kordai

I used the Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan border crossing at Kordai to get from Almaty to Bishkek. Here’s my report of the crossing, including transport times, prices, and places to stay on either side of the border.

 

Kyrgyzstan is quickly becoming Central Asia’s most popular destination, and southern Kazakhstan is a gorgeous bit of country well worth traveling. But is it easy to travel between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan?

Travelers rejoice: yes, yes it is! Traveling overland in Central Asia is becoming increasingly easy with each passing year, and the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border crossing at Kordai is a good indication of how smooth Central Asia travel can be. Coming from Almaty to Bishkek, or visa versa, this overland border crossing is very straightforward and doable with public transportation.

Almaty, Kazakhstan to the border

The journey begins at Almaty’s Sayran bus station. To get there from the superbly budget-friendly Amigo Hostel, I took a taxi for 300 tenge.

The marshrutka to the Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan border crossing at Kordai, at the Sayran bus station in Almaty

The marshrutka from Almaty to Bishkek

Regular marshrutky from Almaty to Bishkek leave from Sayran between 6 and 11 in the morning. The minibuses depart every half hour, or when full. A ticket costs 1,500 tenge per person, and there’s no need to buy one ahead of time–just show up when you’re ready to go. The ride to the border takes about four hours, including a stop or two for snacks and toilet.

The inside of a marshrutka driving through the Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan border crossing at Kordai

The overland Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan border crossing at Kordai

This border is open 24/7, though is reportedly busier in the evenings.

Immigration services at the border go smoothly, but timing depends on how busy it is. It took me about half an hour to actually cross the border. On the Kazakh side there are no forms to be filled out, no departure fees, and no questions are asked. On the Kyrgyz side your passport will be taken into a side room to be stamped, which takes only five minutes.

Once you’ve crossed the border, you’ll have to wait for your marshrutka, so make sure to remember the license plate number. Many people only take the marshrutka to the border, so following your fellow passengers might not be helpful. I spent many a panicked minute frantically searching for fellow passengers and/or the marshrutka, only to have it roll through customs half an hour later.

Heading to Kyrgyzstan? Check out my Kyrgyzstan backpacking budget report!

Waiting for a marshrutka at the Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan border crossing at Kordai

… and the marshrutka is… where?

If you don’t have further transportation, there are several local marshrutky and a million and one taxi drivers waiting around at the border. A taxi to the center of Bishkek shouldn’t cost more than 300 som.

Changing money at the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border crossing

There’s a small money exchange booth with reasonable tenge-som spreads. One tenge got 0.19 som at the time of writing. Spreads in the city are a bit better though, so if you have a lot of money to change, it’s better to do it there.

Arriving in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

After a short 20 minute ride, the marshrutka from Almaty drops you off at the western bus station (Zapadny Avtovokzal or Западный Автовокзал).

To save yourself a bit of effort, I recommend and stayed at Apple Hostel, only a three minute walk away from the station. Owned by a friend and the queen of Kyrgyzstan tourism, Aigul, it’s reasonably priced, the staff are all incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and the western bus station makes for a convenient landmark when navigating Bishkek’s marshrutka network.

Inside Apple Hostel, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Inside Apple Hostel

Things to do in Kyrgyzstan

You’ve taken your first steps into Kyrgyzstan, and the question is… now what?

From the towering Tian Shan mountains to the fertile Ferghana Valley in the west, there are all kinds of things to do in Kyrgyzstan for every traveler. Here are some more of my blog posts on Kyrgyzstan to aid and inspire you on your next nomadic adventure!

Annnd there you have it, a quick guide on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border crossing and getting from Almaty to Bishkek. Let me know in the comments if anything changes or I forgot anything!

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Alex Reynolds

American by birth, British by passport, Filipina by appearance. Addicted to ice cream. Enjoys climbing trees, dislikes falling out. Has great fondness for goats which is usually not reciprocated.

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24 thoughts on “Guide to the Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan border crossing at Kordai

    Tahir says:

    Korday border is it open or still lockdown because of covid-19?

    Aleah Garcia says:

    Update:
    There are no marshutky going to Bishkek departing from Sayran anymore. There’s no buses either.
    The only way to go to Bishkek is by taxi. The cost is of 5,000 Tenge.

    James says:

    Hey, did you need proof of onward travel when entering Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan? we hope to go to Kazakhstan – Kyrgystan – Uzbekistan. I hope we don’t need to pay for flights to show authorities we are leaving the country when we won’t use them!!!

    tom says:

    i am an indian citizen holding uae residency visa.i am planning to visit bishek from Almaty by road. is border crossing in kordai is possible with Evisa?. or i need to enter Bisek through airport? heard that now indians with valid UAE visa doesn’t require evisa to enter Kyrgyzstan, is this true? if i require Evisa do i need to provide invitation letter for filling application? somebody please help regarding this

    Unkle Travlin Al says:

    The update above is not correct.

    There are still 5 buses a day as of 12th Nov 2022.

    You need to go inside the Sayran terminal to purchase tickets at the counter. I suspect they are actual big buses, and have taken business away from the marshutky, so you are getting false information outside where the marshutky are parked.

    If you ask the marshutky drivers they will tell you to take a taxi, and same with the taxi drivers, they will claim there is no bus.

    5000 for a shared taxi, typically taking about an hour to fill is the alternative – if you get a good (crazy) driver, you will there much quicker than the bus.

    You have a real talent for writing content that’s both informative and enjoyable to read.

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