Search Flights from Bishkek to Nalchik

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.

Nalchik is the capital of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, which is located in the North Caucasus region in the south of Russia. The city, whose history dates back to a fairly recent history, has a population of about 300,000 and is situated on the Nalchik River. Urban transportation in Nalchik is provided to a great extent by buses, mini-buses and trolleybuses.

The tourists visiting the city usually prefer car rental and taxi transport services. Because the surface area of the city is quite small and the taxi fares are quite affordable. As an alternative, it is also possible to go to every part of the city by walking or renting a bicycle.

There are a railway station and a bus terminal in Nalchik. The train lines 061C and 0624 regularly depart from Nalchik railway station, but the Kabardino-Balkaria train passes through the town of Prohladny, not from Nalchik. Normal buses and mini-buses depart from the bus terminal to the city center and the neighboring cities of Nalchik. International transportation is also provided by buses to a great extent. Bus tickets for Stuttgart-Nalchik and Berlin-Nalchik cost 140 Euros according to the latest tariff.

The international bus services are operated by the company KVN Internationaler Linienverkehr. You can get more detailed information from this company's website. Taxis, which are another means of transportation in the city, are highly developed and affordable. The federal highway Rostov-on-Don Baku passes through the city of Nalchik. If you prefer, you can also reach the city center on foot because Nalchik Airport is only 3 kilometers away from the city center. However, if your luggage is too heavy to walk, you can also take advantage of taxi or the airport shuttle buses.

If you prefer to walk from the airport to Nalchik city center, you can complete your transportation in about 25-30 minutes.

Bus and Mini-bus

The distance between the airport and Nalchik bus terminal in Ulitsa Zalikhanova is 16.5 kilometers. There are intercity and urban bus services from the bus terminal. If you rent a car from the airport, it is possible to go to the bus terminal in about 28 minutes.

The bus number 14 is the bus line which has the busiest and longest route in Nalchik. The fare is the same for both buses and trolleybuses, and shared ticket system is available. Bus ticket price is 10 rubles according to 2015 tariff. The route of bus number 14 starts from Kadirova, passes through Konchnaya and end at Musukeva. Bus services are provided between 7 am and 10 pm. Mini-buses are more common in the city and the number of lines of the mini-buses is much more.

There are nine mini-bus lines including the lines 3, 11, 14, 19, 27, 101, 333, 527 and 536 in total. Most of the mini-buses run between 7 am and 9 pm. Although the shared and single ticket system is valid in buses and trolleybuses in the city, the ticket prices of mini-buses that are like minibuses vary according to the line number.

The terminal stops of the mini-bus line 3 are Detskoya poliklinika and Konechnaya, and the ticket price is 6 rubles. The mini-bus number 11 runs between Licei No 1 and Konechnaya and ticket price is 13 rubles. The mini-bus number 14 runs between automobil’nie and masterskie-Konechnaya with a 13-ruble ticket price; the mini-bus number 19 runs between Rinok “Strelka”-“Pervaya Apteka” na gornoi and Torgovii Kompleks Yugo-Zapadnii-Konechnaya; and the mini-bus number 27 runs between Rinok-Dubki-Torgovii Kompleks and Yugo-Zapadnii.

Trolleybus

There are 53 trolleybuses that actively serve in the city with a total of 44-kilometer transportation network and 7 lines. There is a single ticket system for all trolleybus lines. The updated ticket price for a trolleybus ticket costs 10 rubles. Trolleybus lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 are interconnected and a large majority of trolley buses run between 06.00 and 23.00 working hours.

The trolleybuses 1 and 4 run between Gornaya and Dubki; the trolleybus number 2 runs between Gornaya and “Strelka”; and the trolleybus 3 runs between “Strelka” and Dubki.

Taxi

Transportation from Nalchik Airport to the city center takes about 4 minutes by taxi. In Nalchik city, taxi fares are affordable, yet it is possible to come across the taxi drivers who overcharge. Therefore, if you are told the taxi fare is above 220-260 rubles from the airport to the city center, you can ask for a discount or get a price from another taxi driver.

Rent a car

There are not many car rental alternatives you can prefer at the exit of Nalchik Airport terminal. If you are planning to travel Nalchik and the nearby cities, renting a car is the most appropriate and economical option for you. It is possible to reach the city from Nalchik Airport in about 5 minutes by renting a car.