Manas airport → Karakol transfer
Manas airport to Karakol is 420 km along the north shore of Issyk-Kul — six and a half hours of driving, the trip almost every trekker and skier in Kyrgyzstan makes first.
- Distance420 km
- Drive time6 h 30 min
- In winter7 h 30 min
- Pricefrom $190
Manas airport → Karakol: price per car
| Car | Per car one way | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Camry or similar | $190 ≈ 16,600 som | $95 | $63 | — | — |
| Minivan up to 6 Hyundai Starex / Delica | $240 ≈ 21,000 som | $120 | $80 | $60 | $40 |
| 4x4 up to 4 Land Cruiser / Prado / UAZ | $270 ≈ 23,600 som | $135 | $90 | $68 | — |
| Sprinter up to 16 Mercedes Sprinter, up to 16 seats | $380 ≈ 33,300 som | $190 | $127 | $95 | $63 |
night 23:00–06:00 +$25 · English-speaking driver +$15–20 · return — same price. Prices updated 12 October 2026.
The road
Bishkek ring road, Boom gorge, then 220 km along the north shore through Cholpon-Ata. Asphalt throughout; the stretch east of Cholpon-Ata has speed cameras every few kilometres, which is why the trip never gets much faster than 6 hours.
Worth stopping
- Lunch stop in Cholpon-Ata (cafés on the main road).
- Petroglyph field in Cholpon-Ata — 30 minutes, free with the transfer.
Good to know
- Night arrival? Two options: drive through (night supplement $25, arrival around breakfast) or our driver takes you to a Bishkek hotel and collects you at 9:00 — safer on winter roads and the same transfer price.
- Skiing in Karakol? Choose the minivan — it carries six people and six ski bags with a roof box.
Included
- Private car and driver, fuel, tolls
- Meet & greet with name sign at airports, 60 min free waiting
- Stops on the way where you ask (up to 1 h in total)
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before
- Pay the driver in cash or card — no prepayment for transfers
Manas airport → Karakol: questions
How long from Manas airport to Karakol?
About 6.5 hours in summer and 7–7.5 in winter, plus any stops. The south-shore road is 50 km longer.
Is there a flight instead?
Asman Airlines flies Bishkek–Karakol about four times a week in season and Almaty–Karakol twice a week, but flights are weather-dependent. Many people book the car as the reliable option and keep it if the flight is cancelled.
Can we stop at the Burana Tower and Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs?
Yes. Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs are included; Burana is a $15 detour.