How to Take the Night Bus from Bishkek to Tashkent - Tickets, Border Crossings & Family Tips

Kerry Purnell
4 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Catching the Night Bus from Bishkek to Tashkent

Taking the night bus from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan is one of those long, slightly chaotic journeys that somehow becomes one of your favourite stories later. The process is simple enough—just not exactly predictable. Below is everything we learnt - ho to buy tickets, what to pack, what t expect at the Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan crossings, and whether you shoud catch a taxi int Tashkent or wait for the bus.

How to Buy Bus Tickets in Bishkek

You can’t buy these tickets online, so you’ll need to head to the ticket office at the Western Bus station near Apple Hostel in Bishkek. They sell tickets up to 48 hours in advance, and the popular times do sell out. We purchased our ticket the night before departure. We tried for the 7 pm bus, but it was already full, so we ended up on the 9 pm departure.

What to expect on the Night Bus

The bus was comfortable and not full when we first boarded, but as the night went on, more people joined at random stops, and soon all seats were taken. The bus will stop for a few quick snack and toilet breaks along the way. But bring your own water and snacks just in case.

Border Crossings: A Zigzag Through Kazakhstan

The route from Bishkek to Tashkent cuts briefly through Kazakhstan, which means multiple border crossings. You’ll get off the bus, go through immigration with all your luggage, hop back on, and then do it again when you exit Kazakhstan. The borders out here zigzag like a forgotten puzzle, and everything happens in the dark, half-asleep, with crowds of people moving in every direction.

Travel Tip: Before you even leave Bishkek, do yourself a huge favour:

take a photo of your bus’s number plate.

When you’re standing at the border surrounded by identical buses, this is the only way to find yours again.

Because of the Kazakhstan transit, make sure you’ve checked visa requirements for both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

You can buy snacks on the Kazakhstan side, so it’s handy if you have a little Kazakh tenge left in your wallet. Along the way locals will be exchanging cash, so you can always swap money on the journey. Also, it’s a good time to get rid of all your Kyrgyzstan Som as no bank or currency exchange place accepts it in Uzbekistan (We ended up carrying our Som all the way to Dubai - and the exchange rate was terrible).

Taxi or Bus After Immigration - Which to Choose?

When you reach the final border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at around 4am (I think!) everyone gets off the bus again and walks through immigration with their luggage. Once you’re stamped into Uzbekistan, you’ll find yourself outside the border gates with a big decision to make:

do you wait for the bus, or do you take a local taxi into Tashkent?

Taxi drivers will be waiting right outside, offering rides into Tashkent. The city is only about 20 km from the border, so by taxi it’s quick and easy. It’ll cost roughly $5USD in a taxi. Totally worth it!!!

If you continue by bus, however, the wait can be long. Immigration for pedestrians is straightforward, but buses can take up to five hours to clear border procedures. The whole scene is hectic—trucks, honking, crowds, families, people carrying way too many bags—and honestly, it’s fascinating to watch.

We chose to wait for our bus… only because our girls had left their books on board. Four hours passed while we stood there, watching the border chaos unfold. In the end, it was us and one other couple still waiting—everyone else had given up and taken a taxi. (yes, Id offered to buy new books, but these ones were 'special' - so we waaaaaaited)

If you have kids, luggage, or limited patience, I’d say take the taxi.

Bus Times & How to Buy Tickets

There are three daily buses from Bishkek to Tashkent:

3:30 pm, 7 pm, and 9 pm.

To buy your ticket, make your way to the Western Bus Station in Bishkek.

What to Pack for the Bishkek–Tashkent Night Bus

This journey is long, a little unpredictable, and full of stop-start moments at borders, so having the right things in your daypack makes the whole experience much smoother. Here’s what we found the most helpful:

1.Keep All Your Important Documents Together

You’ll be getting off the bus multiple times for border checks, so keep everything in one easy-to-grab pouch:

Passports
Printed or digital visas if needed (for Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan)
Bus tickets

2. A Small Daypack You Can Grab Quickly

Every time you leave the bus, you’ll need to take all your belongings with you. Keep your essentials in a small bag so you’re not rummaging in the dark.

3. Snacks & Water

You’ll get a few stops, and you can buy food in Kazakhstan, but the selection is random and the lines can be long at night. Pack:

Water
Fruit, nuts, biscuits
Something kid-friendly if you’re travelling with little ones

4. A Bit of Kazakh Tenge

Handy for snack stops on the Kazakhstan side. Cards aren’t always accepted, and you won’t always get change.

5. Warm Layers

The bus can swing wildly between too warm and too chilly. A light jumper or shawl makes all the difference, especially if you’re stepping outside at 2am in the wind.

6. Toilet Essentials

The bus does make stops, but facilities can be… really gross. Pack:

Tissues
Wet wipes
Hand sanitiser

7. Things for Kids

Books, colouring in pencils and snacks!

Our girls left their books on the bus… trust me, keep everything together when you get off.

8. A Travel Pillow or Scarf/Sarong

It’s an overnight journey, so anything that helps you get a little sleep is worth carrying.

9. Photo of the Bus Number Plate

Not something you “pack,” but absolutely essential. Take the photo before you leave Bishkek so you don’t lose your bus in the midnight border chaos.

FAQs

How long is the bus from Bishkek to Tashkent?

About 12–15 hours, though bus delays at immigration can extend this.

Where do you buy tickets?

At the Western Bus Station in Bishkek or the ticket office near Apple Hostel — in person only.

Do I need a Kazakhstan visa?

Possibly. Because the bus transits Kazakhstan briefly, check visa rules for your nationality for both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Is the taxi from the border to Tashkent cheap?

It’s usually affordable and much faster than waiting for the bus to clear immigration. Agree a price in advance.

The night bus between Bishkek and Tashkent is a proper overland adventure — part transport, part border puzzle, part family memory. With a little planning (passports handy, snacks packed, bus plate photographed), it can be smooth.

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