This describes how to cross the Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan border at Korday using (shared) taxis, marshruthkas or buses.
This crossing is relatively uncomplicated with efficient passport control on both sides. Korday is the most popular crossing to Almaty in Kazakhstan. A path well traveled by tourists and locals with convenient infrastructure (unlike the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan Kardara-Kegen crossing with friendly passport control guards but little transport).
I did this crossing in three legs: Bishkek-Korday marshrutka, border control and shared taxi Korday-Almaty.
However, in October 2022 there were people who took the bus directly from Almaty to Bishkek (TZS 2500, 5 hours).
The Bishkek-Almaty bus MIGHT be leaving for 500 som from the Western Bus Station as per the photo above (check the current departures).
Based on the schedule in the photo at the top of the page (row 8), the Bishkek-Almaty has direct DAILY departures at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 22:00 operated by the “Nurdan Tour” company.
Warning: I did NOT take this bus or buy the ticket. Please verify the information at your accommodation or the bus station.
This article has the following sections:
- (1) Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) – Korday (border crossing)
- (2) Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border
- (3) Korday – Almaty (Kazakhstan)
- (4) Other border crossings in Central Asia
(1) Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) – Korday (border crossing)
From central Bishkek there are currently the following options to reach the Korday border crossing:
(a) Taxi
From central Bishkek to the border, the taxi is approximately $8-10 depending on your negotiating skills.
(b) Marshrutka
I did the crossing the old-fashioned way: Bishkek-Korday marshrutka and then Korday-Almaty (shared) taxi.
Firstly, please do not make a similar mistake as I did. I had read earlier reports that there are marshrutkas to Korday from the Western Bus Station (“Zapadniy Avtovakzal”) or the Eastern Bus Station (“Vostochniy Avovakzal”). Also some online maps quoted that there is a marshrutka from the Eastern Bus Station to Korday.
I have visited both and, to slightly increased andrenaline levels, unfortunately I learned that there are no marshrutkas to Korday from either station.
There are two marshrutkas from central Almaty to Korday: #285 and #333.
However, they are not departing from either the Western or the Eastern Bus Station, but are stopping on the intersection of the main road to Almaty (Alma-Atinskaya / Kurmanjan Datka Street) and Jibek Jolu Street.
If you make a similar mistake to me and get to the Eastern Bus Station, it is a 5 minute walk to this intersection. They will both arrive at the same Korday end station 1 minute from the border station, so either #285 or #333 is fine.
They are also leaving from central Bishkek near TsUM/GUM, passing on Chuy Avenue to the border through the Alamedin bazar.
The one-way fare was KGS 35 ($0.45) in August 2022 and took 30 minutes. Exit at the end station just in front of the border buildings. If you have any remaining Kyrgyz currency, there is an exchange booth in front of the bus stop.
(c) Scheduled bus
The bus schedule in the Western Bus Station (“Zapadniy Avtovakzal”) is listing a bus from Bishkek directly to Almaty departing daily at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 22:00 for KGS 500 ($6.25).
Please see the photo above (Almaty item 8). However, I have not been on this bus or have not tried to purchase a ticket. Other people did successfully take it (5 hours).
(d) Flight
There are scheduled flights for approximately $50-80.
(e) Train
Unfortunately, there is currently no train connection.
(2) Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border
How to cross the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border at Korday?
In summary, crossing is efficient and pleasantly largely uneventful.
Kyrgyzstan border control
On the Kyrgyzstan side ignore and walk past all the cars (including some drivers who will offer to take you through the border in their vehicle). Enter the gated walkway and you will arrive in a small hall with several passport control booths.
Your photo will be taken and, if you have not overstayed your stay, your passport will be stamped and you will exit Kyrgyzstan. The whole process took approximately 10 minutes.
Kazakhstan border control
The Kazakh side is similarly efficient and uneventful. A photo taken, a stamp, your bag scanned and you will exit the Kazakh border building through a gate.
Unlike the more lively borders (Uzbekistan Samarkand – Tajikstan Penjakent!), there will be only a few drivers offering a ride to Almaty without high-pressure tactics of 50 animated drivers. Feels almost like a disappointment but please do not let your guard down.
Act in control and unrushed. You are a seasoned Central Asia traveller and have made countless border crossings. This is just another one with negotiating with the taxi drivers, disregarding their helpful advice (“everybody has already left, I am the last one going to Almaty”) and speaking a few words in Russian you might know. If you do, say them now. Everybody will then assume that you know what you are doing, and you will get to Almaty faster and for a (much) lower price.
Those Kazakh drivers will negotiate tough and start with high prices. Anything more than KZT 5000 (Kazakh Tenge) ($10.50) is too much for a single seat in a shared taxi. Please negotiate a reasonable price, this will also help the fellow tourists in their negotiations in the future.
Similar to other border crossings in Central Asia, the first drivers will (a) speak best English and (b) offer the highest prices. Once you politely but firmly decline those, other guys (have not seen any women drivers there) will mention lower and more reasonable fares.
No Covid-19 certificates or tests were requested on either side.
However, the Covid entry requirements have been changing frequently. For the latest information, please check:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kyrgyzstan/entry-requirements
(3) Korday – Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Once you negotiated your price, you will walk with the driver to the parking lot on the right where the car will be probably parked. The ride to Almaty is 215 kms (134 miles) and will take 2.5 hours.
If there are traffic jams in Almaty especially on the main entry road (as they always were on my trips), it might take another 30 minutes. If you are planning to drive straight to the Almaty airport, please add another hour to be on the safe side.
A word of caution. When negotiating with the Kazakh driver at the Korday border, please negotiate the price and the EXACT location of your drop off. If the driver agrees to the price but not to your location, walk away. You will probably be dropped off miles from your target destination.
Other people took the marshrutka from Korday to Altyn Orda and then from Altyn Orda to Almaty. The price from Altyn Orda to Korday is TZS 2500.
(4) Other border crossings in Central Asia
Beyond this article how to cross the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border at Korday, other borders in the neighborhood:
When travelling to Kyrgyzstan: Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan border at Dostyk.
If you are going to the Fann mountains and the Samarkand-Penjakent border: How to cross the Uzbekistan – Tajikistan border
For the country guides: Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
