How to Take the Train From Bishkek to Balykchy (Issyk-Kul), Kyrgyzstan

Train travel is very limited in Kyrgyzstan, with just a couple of operational lines. While it’s not the main form of transport, I highly recommend the train from Bishkek to Balykchy if you’re planning to explore Issyk-Kul Lake.

The seasonal panoramic train runs from Bishkek to Balykchy, on the western shore of Issyk Kul during summer. It’s an incredibly scenic ride, passing mountain ranges, canyons, and farmland on the way. It’s relatively new, with a VIP Class offering comfortable carriages featuring huge panoramic windows to enjoy the view.

If you’re wondering how to travel from Bishkek to Issyk-Kul, then definitely add this train to your itinerary. The four-hour journey is very beautiful and offers a unique experience in comfortable VIP carriages that are still very affordable. 

In this post, I’m going to detail how to take the train from Bishkek to Balykchy (Issyk Kul), including how to buy tickets and my top tips for enjoying this train journey.

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Why Take the Bishkek to Balykchy VIP Train

The Bishkek-Balykchy train is a completely unique way of reaching Issyk Kul (the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan). While by road the journey is quicker, the train trip is much more scenic and comfortable as it passes through the Chu River Canyon. Plus, it’s not something you can experience anywhere else in Kyrgyzstan!

The train also arrives around midday in Balykchy, so you have plenty of time to continue onto another destination around Issyk Kul lake.

Bishkek to Issyk Kul Train Schedule

The train departs Bishkek Station at 7:45am and arrives in Rybachie Station in Balykchy at approximately 11:50am. There is one train per day during high season from July to August, otherwise it runs only on weekends in June. 

If you’re travelling in the opposite direction, the train runs in the evening. It leaves Balykchy at 7pm and arrives at 11pm. This means you’ll catch the sunset but miss out on some of the views once it gets dark.

The schedule can change year to year, so it’s best to check online or at the station ticket office for the latest train schedule.

Train Tickets and Prices

There are standard, LUX and VIP classes on the train. As of 2025, the standard tickets cost 150 som per adult, LUX cost 500 som per adult and the VIP Class is 800 som per adult.

If you want the beautiful panorama carriages, then you need to book the VIP ticket. You can purchase all tickets online through Kyrgyz Railway or at the station.

We managed to book online with an international card, and it was very easy. The website has English translation available and the tickets are emailed to you. It even allows you to pick your carriage and seat!

How to Get to Bishkek Station

The train ticket and online schedule will say from Bishkek-2 but it still leaves from the main train station in Bishkek (don’t get confused!).

Bishkek Railway Station was originally built in the 1930s, but it has had recent renovations. It’s clean with plenty of waiting space inside and on the platform. There is a ticket office at the front. It’s an easy station to navigate as there’s very limited services, so it rarely gets crowded.

It’s best to get a Yandex or taxi to the station. It should only cost 100-150 som from most places in the city centre.

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What to Expect on the Bishkek to Balykchy Train

The Bishkek-Balykchy train is very enjoyable, and I highly recommend anyone to take the journey. It takes around four hours, if it runs on time (it did for us). There is a ticket inspector as you get onto the train, but otherwise you’ll find the carriage and seat numbers written on your ticket.

If you take the VIP class, the carriages are very comfortable with AC and plenty of space. The seats are plush with lots of legroom and a table in the middle of each set of four seats. There are power outlets under the tables for charging your devices.

Each VIP carriage has a small kiosk where you can purchase tea and coffee, plus pastries and breads. Otherwise, you can bring your own snacks on board too.

There are nice toilets at the end of each carriage, which only operate when the train is moving. Plus, luggage storage is at the front and end of each carriage for larger items or under the seats for smaller bags (you can lift the seats up). 

The train leaves Bishkek and passes by farmland, before travelling through the Shu River Canyon. You’ll get nice views of the canyon on the left side of the train. Once through there, the train passes mountains on both sides, with incredible red and orange rock formations on the right side. Either way, you can enjoy mountain views on all sides of the train.

Tips for the Bishkek-Balykchy Train Journey

• Purchase your tickets a few days in advance, if possible, as the VIP class can book out in high season
• Try and book a front facing window seat by using the layout on the booking website, so you can enjoy the best view
• Bring other snacks with you, if you don’t want the pastries and bread for sale on board
• The view is nice on either side of the train, but it’s best if you purchase front facing seats
• Respect other people’s space and their seats, even if you’re trying to get photos or videos try not to lean too far into people’s personal space
• The windows do not open in VIP class, but they are very large so you can enjoy the view and take photos through the glass

Where to Stay in Bishkek

If you’re staying in Bishkek before the train journey, then you’ll find plenty of accommodation options. Here are some of my recommendations:

• Budget: Meeting Place Hostel
• Midrange: SilkRoad Guesthouse
• Luxury: Orion Hotel

Read next: 10 Best Things to Do in Bishkek

Where to Go After Balykchy

Once you arrive in Balykchy, you’ll likely plan to explore more of Issyk Kul. From Balykchy, you can head directly to Karakol on the eastern shore of the lake or stop somewhere in between.

Karakol is a popular hub for tourists and hikers wanting to explore the mountains around the town. However, there are also places on the way that are worth exploring, including canyons, waterfalls, and beaches.

Marshrutkas (public buses) leave from the Balykchy Bus Station, which is an easy 1km walk from the railway station or you can take a taxi (taxis wait outside the train station when it arrives).

Read more: 15 Best Things to Do in Karakol

How to Get From Balykchy to Karakol

To reach Karakol from Balykchy, you can take either the northern or southern roads around Issyk Kul lake. The northern road is slightly quicker and more trafficked, with marshrutkas (public minibuses) running all day when full between the two towns (marshrutka #300). It costs 350 som per person. You can also get off somewhere in between like Cholpon Ata if you plan on spending some time on the lake’s shore.

In Karakol, they drop you at the long-distance bus station, which is a few kilometres from the centre of town.

The south shore road is more interesting for most travellers as it passes Ak-Say Canyon (Ak-Sai), Fairytale Canyon (Skazka) and Barskoon on the way to Karakol. However, the marshrutkas from Balykchy to Karakol that run via south shore only leave every hour until midday. After this, you’ll have to go via north shore, or pay for a private taxi (or hitchhike).

Either way, both the north shore and south shore roads are under construction and the drive is quite bumpy for long stretches. Eventually, it will be a wide, smooth highway connecting Karakol with Bishkek in much less time, but expect it to take another couple of years at least.

Final Thoughts on the Bishkek-Issyk Kul Train

If you’re travelling to Issyk Kul from Bishkek, then I highly recommend you take the train to Balykchy. The new VIP carriages are still really affordable and you can enjoy a comfortable, scenic ride through the countryside to the western shore of the lake.

From Balykchy, you then have plenty of options to head to Issyk Kyl, Karakol, Skazka Canyon, or even south to Kochkor for Song Kol Lake. If there’s one unique thing to add to your Kyrgyzstan itinerary, I suggest adding this train journey. It’s definitely one of the coolest train trips I’ve ever done!

Read next: How to Travel from Bishkek to Karakol: Exploring Issyk Kul

Exploring More of Kyrgyzstan?

• Karakol: 15 Best Things to Do in Karakol
• Bishkek: 10 Best Things to Do in Bishkek
• Jyrgalan: Essential Guide to Visiting Jyrgalan Village, Near Karakol
• Ala Kul Trek: Complete Guide to the Ala Kul Trek in Karakol
• Song Kul: Complete Guide to Horse Trekking to Song Kul
• Kol Ukok: Essential Guide to Kol Ukok Lake Near Kochkor
• SIM Cards: Best eSIM for Kyrgyzstan: Which SIM Card Should You Buy?

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