Train from Bishkek to Balykchy - a passenger's guide (2026)

Railway line from the capital of Kyrgyzstan to Balykchy on the lake Issyk-Kul is one of the most beautiful railways in the world. Train from Bishkek to Balykchy run only in summer. It is a seasonal train which usually runs From mid-June to mid-July. Schedule is announced in April or May.

Last updated: 05.06.2026

Train departs from Bishkek in the morning and after 4 hours of journey ends in Balykchy. Passenger have six or seven hours of spare time in Balykchy and in the afternoon there is a train from Balykchy to Bishkek which terminates in Bishkek in the evening. Train is very popular among locals and tourists.

Route length is 200 km, journey time 4 hours.

Bishkek – Balykchy train – timetable

In 2026, the train will operate until mid-September, allowing passengers to plan both summer vacations and trips during the velvet season.

Schedule of Operation

• From June 5 to June 21, 2026 – on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays;

• From June 26 to September 13, 2026 – daily.

Departure and arrival times

• Departure from Bishkek-2 station – 08:06

• Arrival at Balykchy station – 12:12

• Arrival at “Balykchy Beach” stop – 12:37

• Return departure from “Balykchy Beach” station – 18:40

• Arrival at Balykchy station – 19:00

• Arrival at Bishkek-2 station – 23:11

Bishkek – 2 Railway station address: 1A Erkindik Boulevard.

Train Composition

The train consists of up to 16 coaches of various comfort categories:

• Interregional coaches (MO) – No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8;

• “Lux” category coach – No. 9;

• “VIP” category coaches – No. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15;

• “VIP Coupe” category coach – No. 16.

Interregional coaches are in fact platzkart coaches and are no equipped with air-conditioning

Ticket Prices

Interregional Coaches (MO)

• cash payment – 180 KGS (1,7 EUR)

• cashless payment – 150 KGS (1,5 EUR)

“Lux” Coach

• cash payment – 600 KGS (5,9 EUR)

• cashless payment – 500 KGS (4,92 EUR)

VIP Coach

• cash payment – 1,000 KGS (9,85 EUR)

• cashless payment – 800 KGS (7,88 EUR)

Ticket prices do not depend on the boarding or destination station.

There are also VIP carriage with compartments. You can reserve the entire compartment for 6000 soms.

Ticket prices for standard carriages are for the entire route from Bishkek to Balykchy. Ticket prices for luxury and VIP carriages are fixed regardless on the route.

There is a 50% discount for children aged 5 to 10 years old. Children under 5 years old travel free, if not occupying a separate seat.

Kyrgyz Temir Zholu – online shop

Tickets are also available at the ticket offices at Bishkek-2 station with passenger identity documents.

Train from Bishkek to Balykchy — New panoramic car (Photo: Кыргыз темир жолу)

Updates

In 2022 Kyrgyz Railways introduced air-conditioned panoramic carriage for foreign tourists. The carriage has vacuum toilets, TVs and other high-comfort services. In 2023 the two panoramic carriages were included in charter trains to Balykchy upon the request of tourism companies. Panoramic coaches have been rebuilt from obsolete vehicles at Kyrgyz Railways wagon repair plant in Bishkek. The second panoramic carriage has locally inspired furnishings including settee-style seating with cushions.

The ticket for the panoramic coach costs around three times the price of a standard ticket, but they are fully booked. Each of the cars has 51 seats.

In 2025 the new two panoramic cars were added to the train.

Train from Bishkek to Balykchy is operated by Kyrgyz Temir Zholu (Kyrgyz Railways)

Balykchy is known also as Rybachye and train as Bishkek – Rybachye.

Train travel in Kyrgyzstan – essential guide

Bishkek - Balykchy train — Train from Bishkek to Balykchy – panoramic coach no 1 (Photo: Кыргыз темир жолу)

Balykchy train — Train to Balykchy – panoramic coach no 2 (Photo: Кыргыз темир жолу)

Kyrgyzstan train — Train from Bishkek to Balykchy – the new panoramic car interior