Search Flights from Bishkek to Kutaisi

Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek fascinates visitors with its spectacular views of Chui Valley. The city doesn’t have a very historic texture because it is relatively young. However, Bishkek is notorious for its nightlife. Ala-Too Square is considered the center of the city. Those who want to visit Bishkek fly into Manas International Airport. Urban transportation in Bishkek is both affordable and reliable.

Bishkek is a relatively small capital that you can explore in a short amount of time. Many cities in Kyrgyzstan are located in mountainous regions, complicating the transportation networks. Bishkek however is a flat city, so it can offer much more convenient transportation systems. Currently the Kyrgyz Railways only operate inter-city and long-distance trains but they are continuing to develop the city’s infrastructure. There is no train transportation within the city.     

The most preferred method of public transportation in the city is a type of minibus or public van, known as a marshrutka. In addition, there are bus and trolleybus routes that operate in many parts of the city. Almost all of the public transportation alternatives go to major stops near Tsum Center and the Philharmonia. If you get lost you can get a map from the tourist offices located in the city or ask for directions. Public transportation networks begin operating between 5:30 am and 6:30 am. The buses and trolleybuses run until 10 pm. In addition to public transportation, taxis are a convenient way to get around the city. Although renting a car isn’t very common in Bishkek some tourism companies provide chauffeured vehicles. Getting to Manas International Airport from the city center by car takes about 25 minutes.   

If you are going to travel to the airport by using public transportation then you can get on the minibuses that depart from the city center. If you are staying in an area far from the city center you can get on one of the bus, minibus, or trolleybus lines that pass through your location and then transfer to a minibus that goes to the airport.

Minibus (Marshrutka)

These minibuses, which depart from the city center, will take you to a stop that is very close to the airport in a short amount of time. These minibuses have a very large transportation network within the city. There are hundreds of minibuses that operate all throughout the city. You can download the app or check online to find out which minibus to take depending on what part of the city you are in.

Bus and Trolleybus

Buses and trolleybuses do not provide direct service to the airport. However, you can still get on a bus or trolleybus and then transfer to a minibus that goes to the airport. Buses and trolleybuses are the second most commonly used method of transportation after the minibuses. Buses and trolleybuses operate in a more limited area than minibuses. The total trip also takes longer than it would take with a minibus. Minibuses will stop to let passengers on and off almost anywhere but buses and trolleybuses are not allowed to stop anywhere that isn’t a designated bus or trolleybus stop. Nevertheless, these vehicles are cheaper than minibuses.

Entry to the bus and trolleybus is from the back door and passengers getting off use the front door. To find out more detailed information about bus and trolleybus routes you can download the app or check online. In addition to urban transportation, these vehicles can be used for inter-city and long-distance travel.

Taxi

Taxis are among the most convenient method of transportation to get to the airport from the city center. There are many private taxi firms located in the city and it is quite easy to find a taxi. Taxi day fares are cheaper than night fares. In addition to private taxi companies there are also official taxi companies, which have a taximeter that they will turn on upon request.

Airport Information

Manas International Airport was formerly used as a military air base. Today Manas International Airport, located 25 km from the city center, hosts visitors from many different countries from around the world. The airport doesn’t offer extensive facilities. There are a lot of ATMs located in the passenger arrivals area. Besides that, there are some cafes and shops where you can go shopping, however these venues only operate until a certain hour.

There is the Rioni river at the entrance of Kutaisi, which is the second largest and most developed city of Georgia, and this river literally divides the city into two. Kutaisi is located in the Imerati Region in the western part of Georgia and its distance to the country’s capital, Tbilisi, is approximately 221 kilometers. The city’s population is around 201.000. Kutaisi’s urban transportation is mostly composed of buses, trolleys, taxis and mini-buses called marshrutka.

There is also a big train station in the city. But from this train station, daily express trains from Kutaisi to Georgia’s other major cities depart. As the area of the city is small, majority of the visitors walk or use taxis for transportation.

Kutaisi railway terminal is directly connected to Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi. All of the trains leaving from this terminal are operated by Georgian Railways. You can travel to Tbilisi from Kutaisi in around 5.5 hours by taking the train #18, which departs from Kutaisi I station. There are also daily express trains.

The train starts its trip at 08.50 every morning and arrives at Tbilisi in 6 hours. This train also stops in Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia. There are also regular bus trips from Didube bus station in Didube, where the metro station in Tbilisi is located at, to Kutaisi. Price for this bus trip is only 10 Lari.

In addition to the marshrutkas and buses, you may also consider using car rental services or taxis for transportation to city centre from the Kutaisi Airport.

Marshrutka

After arriving at the Kutaisi Airport, take the exit from the arrival terminal and proceed to the bus stops. As well as the buses, marshrutkas also depart to Kutiasi city centre or suburbans from the bus stops at the area in front of the terminal building. Marshrutka drivers may not accept paying with dollar or euro, so do not forget to stop by the exchange office in the airport just in case.

Marshrutkas leaving from Kutaisi Airport go directly to the Kutaisi bus station just behind McDonalds. Marshrutkas, which run in every 20 minutes, provide transportation services to the town of Samtredia from Kutaisi Airport for a fee of 2 Lari. There are also vehicles named ‘direct marshrutkas’, which have a fare of 5 Lari. These direct marshrutkas will take you to your destination as well.

There are direct marshrutkas running between Kutaisi Airport and Tbilisi, and fare is currently 20 Lari. Likewise, there are also marshrutkas going directly to Batumi, another major city of Georgia, for a fare of 18 Lari.

Bus

Bus service timetable are usually updated according to the flights' arrival times. You don’t need to worry if you forget to get Georgian currency, as it is possible to buy bus tickets with euro or dollar as well.

Taxi

Taxi is the most economical vehicle you can use for traveling to the city centre from Kutaisi Airport. Traveling to the city centre from the airport by taxi costs around 25 Lari, but you can drop the price to 20 Lari by bargaining with the taxi driver.

Rent a Car

The only thing that you need to do to go city centre from Kutaisi Airport by your rented car is to take the highway, which passes right by the airport, and follow the direction signs to the city. You can reach the city centre in around 20 minutes by your vehicle.

As well as you can find several rent a car services at the exit of Kutaisi Airport terminal, you can also make benefit of discounts by making an online reservation. People visiting Kutaisi often prefer renting a car as they usually include visiting other Georgian cities such as Tbilisi and Batumi  in their travel plans.