How to Get from Tashkent & Andijan to Osh via Dostyk Border

Uzbekistan -> Kyrgyzstan

1. Tashkent Train Station to Andijan Train Station

The quickest and most affordable way to get from Tashkent to Andijan is by train. You can buy tickets in advance on the Uzbekistan Railways website or on 12Go BUT I 100% recommend NOT booking a sleeper train for this route!

We booked a sleeper train that left Tashkent at like 06:00, but we did not realise that the train had come all the way from Khiva in the very north of the country already.

Everyone on the train was asleep and the carriages were BREATHY and littered with other passengers’ dinner leftovers and snacks from the night before. It was honestly awful, so just don’t do it to yourself.

Book the 08:10 Ozbekiston train instead which is a regular train with regular seating. It’s the quickest, a little more expensive, but my God is it absolutely worth the extra £5!

Check out our post on booking trains in Uzbekistan so you know what you’re looking for!

Oh, and FYI there are two train stations in Tashkent – Tashkent Central and Tashkent South. Double check you’re going to the correct station.

2. Andijan Train Station to Bus Station

Hopefully you took my advice and got the 08:10 train from Tashkent which means you should arrive in to Andijan at around 14:14.

When you leave the station, you will find taxi drivers offering to take you to Dostyk border. So, haggle the price down with them or (our preferred option and mightily cheaper option), head to the bus station.

Just a ten-minute walk straight up the road, you’ll find Andijan Bus Station.

3. Andijan Bus Station to Dostyk Border

Inside the bus station, look for the bus with ‘Dostyk’ written on the front. It’ll probably be in Cyrillic like in the photo below.

It’s just a regular-looking bus, not a marshrutka or minivan, and if it’s not there, just wait around for a bit. We never had to wait more than ten minutes for the next one. My understanding is that they leave every 20 -30 minutes, so hold tight and the next one should be along soon.

There is a boot to stow any luggage in the back of the bus, and the driver will show you. Jump aboard.

And as with all Uzbek buses we experienced, you pay when you leave, not when you get on the bus. The journey should take just over an hour depending on traffic around Andijan and you will be dropped right at the border.

Tickets as of July 2025 cost 8,000 UZS and are to be paid in cash.

FYI – there is very much a traditional ‘respect your elders’ culture in Uzbekistan and all the other stans, so if you’re under 40 (and particularly if you’re male), be prepared to do a lot of musical chairs/standing in the aisles to give your seat up for older passengers or women who get on the bus en route.

And when I say older passengers, I mean like 40+ (yep, I would be offended if someone offered me a seat at the age of 40 too!), but that is just the way it is here. So, follow the unwritten rules.

4. Dostyk Border

From where the bus drops you off, head up towards the border on the left-hand side of the road. You will see the signs and arrows pointing where to go.

On the Uzbek side, the border is pretty organised. Pick your immigration officer and queue up. We have never had to queue for more than 15 minutes.

You may be asked to show your Uzbekistan police registration receipts (I was asked to show all of them!), so make sure you have them handy. He gave me a big thumbs up, and said ‘good job’, asked me how I liked Uzbekistan etc. etc. It was a nice and friendly conversation, and then I passed on through.

Chris did not get any questions and was not asked to provide any registration receipts, so it completely depends on which person you get on the day.

Then walk through a corridor and another security guard will take your passport again to double-check that you have an Uzbek exit stamp.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS double-check you have an exit/entry stamp when going through any border (particularly a land border!) – ask me why am I am so passionate about this point 🙃.

Next up is the Kyrgyz border. This border is much less organised; there likely won’t be proper queues and it’s very much a case of picking your spot and holding your space.

The first time we crossed the border, there were twenty locals in front of us and it took maybe half an hour to get through. The other two times, we were in and out within five minutes.

Sometimes we got asked a couple of basic questions. On one occasion, Chris was told he needed a visa as a Brit (which he absolutely didn’t). This really shows you how many foreigners they get crossing this border!

After crossing through, check your Kyrgyz entry stamp and then put all of your luggage through the scanners. At the end of the corridor, your passport will be checked again for an entrance stamp.

And you’ve made it to Kyrgyzstan!

See our blog post on all the things to know before you go to Kyrgyzstan – ATMs with no fees, local language tips, best local beers. You know – the important stuff 😉.

FYI – I have read in several forums that the border is open all day but sometimes closes for a wee lunch break somewhere between 13:00 and 14:00 Uzbek time, so bear that in mind!

Oh yeah, and another FYI – Kyrgyzstan is one hour ahead of Uzbekistan.

5. Dostyk Border to Osh

The best way to get from the border and into Osh is to book a Yandex taxi. Each time, we have crossed the border, our Uzbek Beeline SIM has still worked for a little while.

So, book yourself a taxi through the app as soon as you get to the other side before your phone works out that you’re actually no longer in Uzbekistan!

The Best Place to Stay in Osh

ABS Guesthouse (£)

📍 29 Bayalinova

We loved this place so much that we extended our stay from two days to four! ABS Guesthouse has hostel dorms and an area with private rooms that is completely separate. Double rooms are affordable, large and comfy, have aircon, a private bathroom, TV, and wifi.

There is a table tennis table too! And the shared kitchen is great and spacious and has free tea, coffee and water. The guys that run the place are super friendly and you can pay by card.

🛏️ Plan your Stay 🛏️