Search Flights from Bishkek to Taif

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.

Taif is located on the slopes of the Sarawat Mountains in Mecca province of Saudi Arabia, which has rich ethnic roots and is home to the world's leading industrial and commercial centers. Taif is also referred to as Green Haven, thanks to its about 3,000 gardens. Taif is one of the most preferred cities in the Mecca region, one of the most visited places by tourists in terms of religious tourism, thanks to the developed transportation facilities and affordable accommodation options in the city. It is 150 kilometers away from the city of Mecca.

The most important feature distinguishing Taif from Mecca and Medina, which is the third largest city in Mecca province after Mecca and Jeddah, is that non-Muslim foreigners are allowed to enter the city. You will not have any difficulty in terms of transportation in Taif city, which is located in the western part of Saudi Arabia and in the south-east of Jeddah within the boundaries of the Mecca Administrative Region.

Taif's transportation networks have been extended to the Mecca province as a whole, and even to other parts of Saudi Arabia. There are intercity bus services between major cities in Saudi Arabia such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Taif, Dammam, Abha, Naseem, Tebuk and Hael.

If you prefer to stay in Taif city center, you can go to other cities of Saudi Arabia with these services on daily basis. There are also local buses within the city, like intercity buses. Transportation within the city is very easy. City roads, rail systems, and highway connections allow you to get to any other point in the city as quickly as possible. You can also rent a car for a fixed period of time from the car rental companies for your transportation in Taif.

In fact, the most profitable, time-saving and easiest way to tour other parts of Saudi Arabia apart from Taif is renting a car. Access to the city is very easy thanks to the buses. Local buses within Taif city center are extremely comfortable and reach almost every point of the city. If you travel as a lonely woman on these buses, you must show your passport to the officers. This is because women throughout Saudi Arabia are banned from driving, traveling and accommodating alone. But if you are a tourist and you prove it, you can travel all by yourself.

In Taif city transportation there are many options such as cable car, car, bus and taxi. Because Taif is a bit smaller than other cities in Saudi Arabia, thus local buses are preferred rather than car rental and taxi options. Domestic or foreign tourists willing to travel with intercity trains need to purchase special seats reserved for ladies and families.

Taif Airport, which has direct flights from many parts of the world, is one of the busiest airports in Saudi Arabia. Approximately 30 kilometers east of the city center, Taif Airport has domestic flights to almost every city in Saudi Arabia.

Bus

There are buses directly from the airport to Taif city center. You can easily get to the city center by buses which are cheaper than the taxi. You can purchase your bus tickets online or at the ticket sales points located inside the terminal. You can travel to any point in the city with a bus that you can take from any stop at the exit of the Taif Airport arrival terminal.

It takes approximately 1 hour to get to the city by bus. Local buses, which have stops in many places of Taif, are the most preferred means of transportation for visitors of the city. As is the case throughout Saudi Arabia, few bus seats can be reserved for ladies and families within Taif city.

Traveling as a lonely woman on a bus requires special permission, which can be very difficult for Saudi Arabian citizens. As a lonely woman and tourist, if you want to travel in these buses, you would be asked to prove that you are a tourist by showing your passport.

Taxi

Taking a taxi is the most expensive way of travelling from Taif Airport to the city center. You can take this distance of 29.5 kilometers in approximately 30-35 minutes by taxi. From the airport to the center of Taif, you pay a taxi fare of 160-190 Suudi Riyali (130-150 TL). Of course, the price we specify in TL may vary depending on the changes between the Saudi Riyal and the Turkish Lira. It is more profitable to rent a car or take a bus instead of taking a taxi just outside of the arrival terminal of Taif Airport.

Car Rental

In almost every region of Saudi Arabia, women are prohibited from driving. Therefore, only male tourists can benefit from car rental option. If you rent a navigation device with your car, you can easily go to Taif and other major cities around.

You can reach the city center by the car you will rent from Taif Airport in approximately 20-25 minutes. In Saudi Arabia, oil is quite cheap compared to Turkey. Hence, one of the best options for your transportation is renting a car. On average, the amount you would pay for the oil to go to the city center from Taif Airport is approximately 1-2 TL.