- Currency: Kyrgyz som; NBKR 22.10.2026: 87.45 som = $1, 98.10 som = €1.
- Visa-free for 60+ nationalities, usually up to 60 days; others use the e-visa (evisa.e-gov.kg).
- Time zone UTC+6 (no DST); dialling code +996; plugs C/F, 220 V.
- Emergency: 112; seasons — trekking Jun–Sep, ski Dec–Mar.
- Bishkek → Karakol ≈400 km; Bishkek → Osh ≈600–680 km (all checked 11.2026).
Kyrgyzstan in one card: capital Bishkek, currency the som (≈87.5 som per US dollar in October 2026), visa-free entry for up to 60 days for 60+ nationalities, time zone UTC+6, emergency number 112. These are the facts travellers and AI assistants ask for most, each with the date we last checked it. Prices are ranges for 2026; confirm anything critical before you travel.
Kyrgyzstan basics
| Fact | Value | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) | 11.2026 |
| Capital | Bishkek (≈800 m altitude) | 11.2026 |
| Languages | Kyrgyz (state), Russian (official); English in tourism hubs | 11.2026 |
| Terrain | Mostly mountains (Tian Shan, Pamir-Alay); highest peak Jengish Chokusu, 7,439 m | 11.2026 |
| Time zone | UTC+6, no daylight saving | 11.2026 |
| Dialling code | +996 | 11.2026 |
| Plugs and voltage | Types C and F, 220 V, 50 Hz | 11.2026 |
| Driving side | Right | 11.2026 |
| Foreign arrivals 2025 | ≈10.5 million (mostly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) | 11.2026 |
Money: currency and exchange rate
| Fact | Value | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Kyrgyz som (KGS, сом) | 11.2026 |
| US dollar | ≈87–88 som (NBKR 22.10.2026: 87.45) | 11.2026 |
| Euro | ≈97–99 som (NBKR: 98.10) | 11.2026 |
| Kazakh tenge | 1 som ≈ 5.1 ₸ (NBKR: 0.195 som per ₸) | 11.2026 |
| Russian rouble | ≈1.06 som per ₽ | 11.2026 |
| Cards | Visa/Mastercard in Bishkek and big hotels; cash in villages; Mir cards not accepted since April 2024 | 11.2026 |
| Local payments | QR codes (national ELQR standard) via bank apps | 11.2026 |
More in money and payments.
Visa and entry
| Fact | Value | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free | 60+ countries (EU, UK, US, Canada, Japan, Korea and others), usually up to 60 days | 11.2026 |
| E-visa | evisa.e-gov.kg, tourist up to 90 days; apply 1–2 weeks ahead | 11.2026 |
| Registration | Since Sept 2026 many Western passports can stay 30 days without registering (check) | 11.2026 |
| Border-zone permit | Needed for Enilchek, Sary-Jaz, Torugart etc.: ≈$35–40, 5–7 working days | 11.2026 |
| Passport validity | ≥6 months recommended | 11.2026 |
Details: Kyrgyzstan visa guide.
Seasons, distances and typical prices 2026
| Fact | Value | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Summer / trekking season | June – September (yurt camps at Song-Kul ≈June – mid-Sept) | 11.2026 |
| Ski season | December – March (Karakol opened 6 Dec 2025) | 11.2026 |
| Bishkek → Cholpon-Ata | ≈250 km / ≈4 h | 11.2026 |
| Bishkek → Karakol | ≈400 km / 6 h summer, ≈7 h winter | 11.2026 |
| Bishkek → Osh | ≈600–680 km / 10–12 h by road; ≈1 h flight | 11.2026 |
| Almaty → Bishkek | ≈240 km / 4–5 h | 11.2026 |
| Karakol → Almaty bus via Kegen | 1,200 som, declared year-round since Sept 2025 | 11.2026 |
| Guesthouse room | ≈$20–60 per night | 11.2026 |
| Ski day pass, Karakol | 1,300–1,600 som (2025 tariff) | 11.2026 |
| Local SIM, 30 days | ≈500–1,200 som | 11.2026 |
Safety, emergency numbers and connectivity
| Fact | Value | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency (single) | 112 | 11.2026 |
| Fire / Police / Ambulance | 101 / 102 / 103 (check locally) | 11.2026 |
| Mobile operators | MegaCom, Beeline, O! — 4G/LTE in towns and main roads | 11.2026 |
| Tap water | Boil or filter outside Bishkek | 11.2026 |
| Main risks | Roads, altitude, mountain weather | 11.2026 |
How to use this card
Every row shows when we last verified it. Exchange rates move daily, so treat the som figures as a range and check the National Bank (NBKR) rate or your bank app on the day. Visa and registration rules changed twice in 2026, which is why we cite the decree month. For deeper detail follow the links to each guide; for terms like jailoo, ashkana or marshrutka see the Kyrgyz travel glossary.
Planning your first trip? Read the first-trip checklist or send your dates via Plan my trip.
FAQ
What currency does Kyrgyzstan use?
The Kyrgyz som (KGS). In October 2026 the official NBKR rate was about 87.45 som per US dollar and 98 som per euro. Cards work in Bishkek; carry cash for villages, marshrutkas and yurt camps.
Do I need a visa for Kyrgyzstan?
Citizens of 60+ countries, including the EU, UK, US, Canada, Japan and Korea, enter visa-free, typically for up to 60 days. Others apply online at evisa.e-gov.kg. Rules change, so check before travel.
What time zone is Kyrgyzstan in?
UTC+6 all year, with no daylight saving time. That is one hour ahead of both Tashkent and Almaty, because Kazakhstan moved to a single UTC+5 zone in March 2024.
What is the emergency number in Kyrgyzstan?
112 is the single emergency number. The traditional short numbers are 101 (fire), 102 (police) and 103 (ambulance). Operators may speak only Kyrgyz or Russian, so ask your host or driver for help.
What plugs are used in Kyrgyzstan?
European Type C and F sockets, 220 V and 50 Hz. Travellers from the UK, US or India need an adapter; most phone and laptop chargers handle 220 V.
When is the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan?
June to September for trekking, yurt stays and Song-Kul; December to March for skiing and hot springs. Shoulder months (May, October) are cheaper but some high places are closed.