The best way to get from Tashkent to Osh and from Osh to Tashkent, crossing the Dostyk border (Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan)

Travel from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan and vice versa: how to get from Osh to Tashkent and from Tashkent to Osh by public transport, crossing the Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan border at Dostyk, including tips, prices, and places to stay in Tashkent and Osh.

The easiest way to travel between Tashkent and Osh is by public transport (train, bus and/or shared taxi). The route itself is pretty simple but you’ll need to factor in at least 8 hours of traveling for a distance of about 400km.

Direct flights between Tashkent and Osh are incredibly hard to find. At the time of writing this, there were none available.

My best advice for hopping between borders in Central Asia independently is to be organized but also have a chilled attitude when things don’t go exactly to plan ;)). Keep in mind potential queues at the Dostyk border and you’ll be grand. 

So read on for a full guide on how to travel between Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Osh (Kyrgyzstan).

Tip: See my Uzbekistan Travel Page and my Kyrgyzstan Travel Page for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about both countries!

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

X/Twitter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Name(Required)

First

Email(Required)

Subscribe

Δ

Plan your trip to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

• 18 important things to prepare your trip to Uzbekistan
• 20 important things to prepare your trip to Kyrgyzstan
• Travel Insurance for Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

1. Entry Requirements for Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan visa Requirements

Most nationalities can enter Kyrgyzstan on a free tourist visa and remain there for 30 days within a time frame of 60 days. Here’s the list of nationalities that can enter Kyrgyzstan visa-free. All other nationalities have to apply for an e-Visa.

Reading Tip:

Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide: 20 things you should know before you go

Uzbekistan visa Requirements

Citizens of the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and many more countries can travel to Uzbekistan visa-free for a period of 30 days.

Citizens of 75 countries, including China, and India, can apply for an e-visa, allowing them up to 30 days in the country. 

Reading Tip:

Uzbekistan Travel Guide: 18 useful things you need to know before you go

2. How far is it from Tashkent to Osh?

By road, the distance between Tashkent and Osh is about 414km. You need to factor in at least eight hours of travelling but this could be less or more depending on what queues you hit at the border. 

Need Travel Insurance for Central Asia? I use and highly recommend HeyMondo Travel Insurance. As a reader of Journal of Nomads, you get a 5% discount off your insurance plan!

3. When’s the best time to travel between Tashkent and Osh?

There are a lot of local people in the Fergana Valley who use the Dostyk border in Osh for both work and seeing their families. It does get busy.

Avoid crossing times early and late in the day (peak times for working) if you can. The borders are open 24/7 but might close for a lunch break from around 13:00 – 14:00.

At the beginning of the week, it’s busy on the Uzbek side crossing into Kyrgyzstan so you may well want to try crossing later in the week. At weekends, it tends to be far busier crossing from Kyrgyzstan into Uzbekistan. 

Reading Tip:

6 Best Places to visit in the Fergana Valley – The Complete Travel Guide

4. Can I exchange money by the Dostyk border?

Yep, there are plenty of exchange stalls to withdraw your own money into UZS and KGS at. You won’t get the best rate, so if you’re withdrawing a lot of money, wait until you’ve arrived at Osh or Tashkent.

If you’re wanting to exchange your UZS into KGS or vice versa, do it at the border – the difference won’t be a huge amount. In Kyrgyzstan, if you get stuck converting your UZS into KGZ, head to the exchange shops near Osh bazaar.

5. What do I need to know when crossing the Dostyk border?

• No porn. No, I’m not kidding. The border control crossing into Uzbekistan is strict and they may check your phones. Porn and any photos of military people is an absolute no-go on either side. 
• Drones are forbidden in Uzbekistan and you will get it confiscated if you take one. So remember this if you’re considering a border-hop from Kyrgyzstan.
• Medicines like Codeine are also not allowed in Uzbekistan. 
• If you’re crossing into Uzbekistan, your luggage will be thoroughly checked so don’t have anything that could compromise you!
• You’ll probably be asked about your itinerary and some other questions but it’s nothing to worry about – you’ll be grand.
• Don’t be that tourist and start taking selfies or photographs at either side of the border. It’s absolutely not allowed.
• The borders are open 24/7 but close for a lunch break from around 13:00 – 14:00.
• As a heads up, it’s organized on the Uzbek side, but very chaotic once you hit the Kyrgyz side. 
• There are a lot of people who use the border – families and commuters in the Fergana Valley. Crossing times can take anything from 30 minutes to two hours so bear that in mind for your journey. 
• Try to queue as much as possible but don’t let anyone, not even the old ladies (they’re notorious for pushing) get in front of you!
• Crossing from Uzbekistan into Kyrgyzstan has fewer people queuing at the weekends. It tends to be busier at the beginning of the week. 
• Crossing from Kyrgyzstan into Uzbekistan has more people queuing at the weekends. So it tends to be less busy at the beginning and middle of the week. 

Reading Tip:

Uzbekistan itineraries: 1 to 4 weeks in Uzbekistan

6. Are there direct flights between Tashkent and Osh?

There is no airline service which flies directly between the two. It’s really difficult to find websites which will split up your journey either. If you manage to plot a route that does it – it will be miles more expensive and longer this way. 

I’ve heard of irregular flights from Tashkent to Andijan through Uzbekistan Airways, but even at the time of writing this, there were none available. 

7. How to get from Tashkent to Osh (Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan)

The best way to get from Tashkent to Osh if you’re traveling independently is by train, bus, and/or shared taxi. You should factor in about 8 hours for the journey, which is mostly done by train across Uzbekistan.

For more information about train travel in Uzbekistan:

The Complete Guide to Train Travel in Uzbekistan

1. From Tashkent to Andijan by train

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct Tashkent to Osh train but there is a 6-hour train that will get you from Tashkent to Andijan. The city of Andijan sits west of Uzbekistan in the Fergana Valley. 

• There is a daily night train running from Tashkent to Andijan. It departs Tashkent train station at 01:10 and arrives in Andijan at 07:23. 
• There is also a morning service running daily except Thursdays. It leaves Tashkent train station at 07:56 and arrives at Andijan at 14:00. 
• Book your tickets through the Uzbek Railways website, via the Uzrailway tickets app or pop into Tashkent train station and buy them there. 
• If you use the above options, tickets can range from 60,000UZS ($4.50) to 119,000 UZS ($10).
• If you’re travelling during the high season (May to October), I’d advise booking your tickets about one month in advance. They go on sale around 45 days before the date of travel.
• On the day you’re travelling, ensure you get to the station at least 30 minutes before departure and have your passport to hand. You’ll need to go through at least two security checks at Tashkent station.

2. From Andijan to Osh (Dostyk border) by bus or (shared) taxi

There are two possible routes by bus.

The first is the old school method which is tried and tested. Take a minibus from Andjian to the Dostyk border. From there, walk across the border and grab a cab at the Kyrgyz side to Osh. It will cost you about 5,000 UZS ($0.50).

The second is the new 777 bus route which travels direct between Andjian and Osh. It should cost you about 15,000 UZS ($1.20).

2.1 Andijan to Dostyk border by bus (route 1)

So let’s look at the old school way: After arriving at the train station in Andijan, take an eight-minute walk to the Andijan bus station. You’ll be looking for a marshrutka (minibus) but if you get confused just ask at the ticket office – people are very kind and will gladly help you. It should cost you 5,000 UZS ($0.50). Once on the marshrutka, it’s roughly 1hr 30 minutes to the border. 

2.2 Andijan to Osh by bus (route 2)

The second route is a new direct service that travels between Andijan and Osh. After arriving at the train station in Andijan, take an 8-minute walk to the Andijan bus station. Head to the ticket office, ask for the number #777 marshrutka and buy your ticket which should cost you about 15,000 UZS ($1.20).

Services are really regular and leave every 20 minutes during working hours. You will still have to get out of the bus to pass through customs at the border but from what I’ve heard from people, you’ll have more of a chance of cutting the queues. 

2.3 Andijan to Doystyk border by shared taxi

If you don’t want to wait for a bus or marshrutka, you can grab a shared taxi from outside the bazaar in Andijan. It should cost you about 50,000 UZS ($4) to get to the border. 

3. Crossing the Dostyk border from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan

When you arrive at the border, you’ll need to cross it on foot. Even if you take the #777, you’ll still need to get out and go through border control.  See section above 5. What do I need to know when crossing the Dostyk border? for more details.

4. From Dostyk border to Osh

4.1 By Shared taxi

Once you’ve made it into Kyrgyzstan, you’ll probably get a fair bit of attention from taxi drivers wanting to make a bit of cash. They’ll charge cheeky amounts that aren’t reasonable (as in most countries!). You shouldn’t have to pay more than 200 KGS ($2) for the 8km ride from the border to Osh city center. Stand firm with your price, you’ll often find that the second or third taxi driver to approach you will accept the fare.

Tip: Install the Yandex Go app on your phone. This app works like Uber and shows you the taxi rates.

4.2 By marshrutka (minibus)

Unsurprisingly, the marshrutka is your cheapest bet and you won’t have to haggle with the driver. The numbers #138, #116, #137 or trolleybus #2 start at the border and will get you to Osh city center, costing around 15 KGS ($0.15) for one trip.

Reading Tip:

The 25 most beautiful places to visit in Kyrgyzstan

5. Where to stay in Osh

Whether you’re backpacking around Osh and looking to meet some other travelers in a friendly hostel or treating yourself to a night’s stay in a luxurious hotel, here are some great places to stay:

• Budget-friendly: Lovely Home For You
• Mid-range: Ethno Boutique Hotel Osh
• High-end: Jannat Resort Osh

Reading Tip:

14 Top Things to do in Osh – Osh City Guide

6. How much does it cost to get from Tashkent to Osh?

Time for some math. Here all the suggested routes are summarized. 

• Tashkent to Andijan – TRAIN – ranges from 60,000UZS ($4.50) to to 119,000 UZS ($10)
• Andijan to Dostyk border – MARSHRUTKA – 5,000 UZS ($0.50)
• Andijan to Dostyk border – SHARED TAXI – 50,000 UZS ($4)
• Andijan to Osh – MARSHRUTKA – 15,000 UZS ($1.20)
• Dostyk border to Osh – SHARED TAXI – 200 KGS ($2)
• Dostyk border to Osh – MARSHRUTKA – 15 KGS ($0.15)

Reading Tip:

Kyrgyzstan Money Guide: How much does it cost to travel in Kyrgyzstan

8. How to get from Osh to Tashkent (Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan)

You may have guessed by reading the above route, but there is no direct Osh to Tashkent train/bus route. There are a few options though. 

1. The first option is taking a taxi from Osh to the Dostyk border (the distance is about 9km), grab a bus/shared taxi from there to Andijan and then take a train from Andijan to Tashkent. 
2. The second option is the direct #777 bus from Osh to Andijan (the city in Uzbekistan where you need to get the final train from) and then take the train to Tashkent. 
3. If you’ve decided on getting to the Dostyk border by shared taxi, you could grab a direct 6-hour shared taxi to Tashkent, instead of getting to Andijan and then changing to get a train. 

1. From Osh to Dostyk border by taxi (option 1)

I’d really recommend you grab a private taxi to take you straight to the border. It shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. For ease, pre-book a corporate taxi and it should cost you about 200 KGS ($2). It’s far quicker taking a bus. 

Tip: Install the Yandex Go app on your phone. This app works like Uber and shows you the taxi rates.

If you’re tight on your budget, take the marshrutka #138 which runs between the center to the Dostyk border. 

2. From Osh to Andijan by bus (option 2)

This is the other route you could take. There is now an established #777 bus route running between Andijan and Osh. It should cost you about 107 KGS ($1) and they run every 20 minutes from Osh’s new bus station.

The benefits of this route is that you won’t have to be held up in taxi queues at the border and you won’t have to haggle with taxis before and after reaching the Dostyk border. 

The #777 runs from Osh’s new bus station which is located on the outskirts of the city. While the station is located on the way to the border, it’s 7km from the city center. So if you’re not feeling up to walking, you’ll have to grab a shared taxi or marshutrka. The numbers #138, #116, #119 and #142 run from Osh State University to the new bus station. Marshuktas cost about 10 KGS ($0.11) in Osh. 

Reading Tip:

The 26 most beautiful and best places to visit in Uzbekistan

3. Crossing the Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan border

Please scroll up to section 5. What do I need to know when crossing the Dostyk border? for more details.

4. From Dostyk border to Andijan by taxi

Once you get into Uzbekistan, there will be loads of shared taxis waiting near the border. It shouldn’t cost you more than 30,000 UZS ($2.5) to get you from the border to Andijan.

5. from Andijan to Tashkent by train

There are three possible train services you can travel from Andijan to Tashkent.

1. The first is the Ozbekiston Train: 61. This takes 6 hrs 47 mins, departing from Andijan at 05:36 and getting to Tashkent for 12:23. The service runs on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
2. The second is the Night Train Andijan-Khiva: 125. Technically it doesn’t actually run through the night from Andijan to Tashkent – it departs Andijan at 09:47 and arrives at Tashkent at 16:15. This service is daily and takes 6 hrs 28 mins. 
3. The third service you could take is the Ozbekiston Train: 59. This sets off from Andijan 15:58 and gets to Tashkent for 21:53. This is the quicker of the routes, taking just under 6 hours. 

Tips for train travel

• Book your tickets through the Uzbek Railways website, via the Uzrailway tickets app or pop into Andijan train station and buy them there. These are the cheaper options. If you book through another website or tour groups there will be an extra charge.
• If you use the above options, tickets can range from 60,000 UZS ($4.50) to 119,000 UZS ($10).
• If you’re travelling during the high season (May to October), I’d advise booking your tickets about one month in advance. They go on sale around 45 days before the date of travel.

For more information about train travel in Uzbekistan:

The Complete Guide to Train Travel in Uzbekistan

6. From Dostyk border to Tashkent by taxi (option 3)

Another option here is to take a shared taxi all the way to Tashkent – so you can cut out having to wait for the train at Andijan to Tashkent. I did this route in 2017 and it’s about a six-hour journey in the car. This journey will cost you about 150,000 UZS ($12).

7. Where to stay in Tashkent

Tashkent offers a wide choice of hostels for budget travelers to top-end hotels for those who enjoy that extra bit of luxury. I also stayed a couple of times at an Airbnb in Tashkent.

• Budget-friendly: Jules Verne Hostel
• Mid-range: Hotel Suzuk-Ota
• High-end: Ichan Qal’a Hotel

Reading Tip:

Top Things to do in Tashkent – Tashkent City Guide

8. How much does it cost to get from Osh to Tashkent?

Here’s the possible journeys you could take with estimated costs. 

• Osh to Dostyk border – TAXI – 200 KGS ($2)
• Osh to Dostyk border – BUS  – 10 KGS ($0.11)
• Osh city center to Osh new bus station – BUS – 10 KGS ($0.11)
• Osh to Andijan – BUS – 107 KGS ($1)
• Dostyk border to Andijan – TAXI – 30,000 UZS ($2.5)
• Dostyk border to Tashkent – TAXI – 150 000 UZS ($12)
• Andijan to Tashkent – TRAIN – 60,000 UZS ($4.50) to 125,000 UZS ($10)

Reading Tip:

Uzbekistan Budget Guide: How much does it cost to travel in Uzbekistan?

I hope this post was very useful to you and I wish you a great and safe journey! If you’d have more questions or any updates, let me and other travelers know in the comments below!

Related posts