Key facts
Kyrgyzstan is a country located in Central Asia. There are 4 countries (China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) that Kyrgyzstan shares its borders with. As for languages, the country’s residents speak Kyrgyz and Russian. Traveling across Kyrgyzstan if English is your first (and only) language may be difficult due to language barriers.
In the EF English Competency Index (EF EPI), which assesses the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries, Kyrgyzstan was ranked 101st out of 100 countries in 2021.
The national currency in Kyrgyzstan is Kyrgyzstani som (KGS). The som (лв) is subdivided into 100 tyiyn.
Kirghiz
Banknotes
лв20лв50лв100лв200лв500лв1000лв50001tyiyn10tyiyn50tyiynлв1лв5лв10
Kirghiz
Coins
лв1лв3лв5лв101tyiyn10tyiyn50tyiyn
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Kyrgyzstan is 65.01 Mbps and mobile is 38.74 Mbs.The global average is 187.01 Mbps and 128.37 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density The number of ATMs per person in Kyrgyzstan is close to the world average.42.31 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in Kyrgyzstan, a passport or ID is required as identification.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Kyrgyzstan. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Kyrgyzstan?
There are no Mariott hotels in Kyrgyzstan.
There are no Hilton hotels in Kyrgyzstan.
There are no IHG hotels in Kyrgyzstan.
There are no Best Western hotels in Kyrgyzstan.
There are no Radisson hotels in Kyrgyzstan.
The Accor hotel chain operates in Kyrgyzstan.
What fast food chains are present in Kyrgyzstan?
The McDonald’s chain does not operate in Kyrgyzstan.
The KFC chain operates in Kyrgyzstan.
The Burger King chain does not operate in Kyrgyzstan.
The Subway chain does not operate in Kyrgyzstan.
The Domino’s Pizza chain does not operate in Kyrgyzstan.
The Starbucks chain does not operate in Kyrgyzstan.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Bishkek?
Weather data for Bishkek (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems There is no subway system in any city.
Taxi Apps Unfortunately neither Uber nor Bolt are available in Kyrgyzstan.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Kyrgyzstan
Sources
- Kyrgyzstan Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Kyrgyzstan (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Inconsistent or only partially enforced smoke-free laws
Cananbis legality Both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is prohibited.
Sources
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)