Almost all international flights to Kyrgyzstan land at Manas airport, about 25 kilometres north-west of Bishkek. Since August 2025 its IATA code has been BSZ; older tickets and some booking sites still show the former code FRU. Many travellers look for a car rental desk after landing – there isn’t one. Neither at Manas nor at the country’s other airports do car rental companies have desks; cars are handed over in the city. Here is how to get from Bishkek airport to the city centre and to your car.
Arriving at Manas airport
After passport control and baggage claim, you reach the arrivals hall. There you will find exchange offices, ATMs and mobile operator stands – handy for getting some som and a SIM card straight away. Exchange rates at the airport are slightly worse than in the city, so only change what you need for the journey and your first day. More: Currency in Kyrgyzstan and SIM card and eSIM in Kyrgyzstan.
Many flights from Europe land at night or in the early morning. In that case, plan your first night in Bishkek and collect the car the next morning.
From Bishkek airport to the city centre: three options
| Option | Travel time | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| AYDO transfer | approx. 40 min | driver waits with a name sign and takes you straight to your car | on arrival only; book together with the car |
| Taxi via app | 40–50 min | 24/7, price fixed in advance | needs mobile internet |
| Bus / marshrutka | 60–90 min | very cheap | little room for luggage, hardly any services at night |
AYDO transfer
The most convenient option if you land during the day: you book the transfer from Manas together with the car (35 EUR). After baggage claim, our driver waits for you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and takes you to our office in about 40 minutes, where your 4×4 is ready. All the details are on the page Bishkek airport car rental.
Taxi
The most reliable way is to order a taxi through the Yandex Go app: the price is fixed before the ride, and the trip is registered. You need mobile internet for this – via roaming or with a Kyrgyz SIM card from the arrivals hall. Drivers who approach you directly in the hall often ask for several times the normal fare; in that case, agree on the price before you get in. Your hotel reception will also be happy to order a taxi or arrange a pick-up.
Bus and marshrutka
During the day, city buses and marshrutkas (minibuses) run from the forecourt into the city. The route number and destination are shown on the windscreen, and you pay the driver in cash, in som. This is the cheapest option, but uncomfortable with large luggage and not an option at night.
Where do you collect your rental car?
Our AYDO office is in central Bishkek, within walking distance of many hotels. We hand over and take back cars from 9:00 to 18:00. Rental days are counted as calendar days, not by pick-up time – so start your booking on the day you actually collect the car.
To collect the car, you need your passport, your driving licence (held for at least five years) with an International Driving Permit or a translation, and a physical credit card (Visa or Mastercard) – the security deposit of 30,000 KGS is blocked on it. The exact rules are explained in Driving in Kyrgyzstan.
Back to the airport
At the end of your trip, you return the car at our office and take a taxi to Manas airport – we don’t offer a transfer to the airport. The easiest way is to order the taxi via Yandex Go or through your hotel reception. Allow 40 to 60 minutes for the drive, more in Bishkek rush hour. If your flight leaves at night, return the car by 18:00 and take a taxi from your hotel to the airport later.
You can book a 4×4 for your trip and the transfer from Manas directly online: car rental in Bishkek.