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Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide

Kyrgyzstan — Facts

Language

Kyrgyz is the official language followed closely by Russian, which is understood and spoken by almost everyone in Kyrgyzstan.

Currency

The official currency is the Som (KGS), which is divided into 100 tyiyn. US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange at banks and official exchange offices. Major hotels in Bishkek usually accept credit cards, but Kyrgyzstan is predominantly a cash economy. Few ATMs are available in the cities.

Time

Local time is GMT +5.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins are in use.

Communications

The international dialing code for Kyrgyzstan is +996. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City codes for Bishkek and Osh are (0)312 and (0)322 respectively. Mobile coverage is limited.

Duty-Free

Adults over 16 may bring the following into Kyrgyzstan without paying duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1,000g tobacco products, 1.5 liters of alcohol and 2 liters of wine, and perfume for personal use.

Embassies in Kyrgyzstan

  • United States Embassy, Bishkek: +996 (0)312 551 241.
  • British Honorary Consul, Bishkek: +996 (0)312 584 245.
  • Canadian Honorary Consulate, Astana, Kazakhstan (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (7172) 790 364.
  • Australian Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 956 6070.
  • South African Embassy, Astana, Kazakhstan (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): + 7 7172 925 326.
  • Irish Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 937 5911.
  • New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 956 3579.

Kyrgyzstan Embassies Abroad

  • Kyrgyzstan Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 449 9822.
  • Kyrgyzstan Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7935 1462.

Emergency

Emergencies: 103 (Ambulance).

Language

Kyrgyz is the official language followed closely by Russian, which is understood and spoken by almost everyone in Kyrgyzstan.

Currency

The official currency is the Som (KGS), which is divided into 100 tyiyn. US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange at banks and official exchange offices. Major hotels in Bishkek usually accept credit cards, but Kyrgyzstan is predominantly a cash economy. Few ATMs are available in the cities.

Time

Local time is GMT +5.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins are in use.

Communications

The international dialing code for Kyrgyzstan is +996. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City codes for Bishkek and Osh are (0)312 and (0)322 respectively. Mobile coverage is limited.

Duty-Free

Adults over 16 may bring the following into Kyrgyzstan without paying duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1,000g tobacco products, 1.5 liters of alcohol and 2 liters of wine, and perfume for personal use.

Embassies in Kyrgyzstan

  • United States Embassy, Bishkek: +996 (0)312 551 241.
  • British Honorary Consul, Bishkek: +996 (0)312 584 245.
  • Canadian Honorary Consulate, Astana, Kazakhstan (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (7172) 790 364.
  • Australian Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 956 6070.
  • South African Embassy, Astana, Kazakhstan (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): + 7 7172 925 326.
  • Irish Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 937 5911.
  • New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 956 3579.

Kyrgyzstan Embassies Abroad

  • Kyrgyzstan Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 449 9822.
  • Kyrgyzstan Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7935 1462.

Emergency

Emergencies: 103 (Ambulance).

Language

Kyrgyz is the official language followed closely by Russian, which is understood and spoken by almost everyone in Kyrgyzstan.

Currency

The official currency is the Som (KGS), which is divided into 100 tyiyn. US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange at banks and official exchange offices. Major hotels in Bishkek usually accept credit cards, but Kyrgyzstan is predominantly a cash economy. Few ATMs are available in the cities.

Time

Local time is GMT +5.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins are in use.

Communications

The international dialing code for Kyrgyzstan is +996. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City codes for Bishkek and Osh are (0)312 and (0)322 respectively. Mobile coverage is limited.

Duty-Free

Adults over 16 may bring the following into Kyrgyzstan without paying duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1,000g tobacco products, 1.5 liters of alcohol and 2 liters of wine, and perfume for personal use.

Embassies in Kyrgyzstan

  • United States Embassy, Bishkek: +996 (0)312 551 241.
  • British Honorary Consul, Bishkek: +996 (0)312 584 245.
  • Canadian Honorary Consulate, Astana, Kazakhstan (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (7172) 790 364.
  • Australian Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 956 6070.
  • South African Embassy, Astana, Kazakhstan (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): + 7 7172 925 326.
  • Irish Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 937 5911.
  • New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 956 3579.

Kyrgyzstan Embassies Abroad

  • Kyrgyzstan Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 449 9822.
  • Kyrgyzstan Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7935 1462.

Emergency

Emergencies: 103 (Ambulance).

Language

Kyrgyz is the official language followed closely by Russian, which is understood and spoken by almost everyone in Kyrgyzstan.

Currency

The official currency is the Som (KGS), which is divided into 100 tyiyn. US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange at banks and official exchange offices. Major hotels in Bishkek usually accept credit cards, but Kyrgyzstan is predominantly a cash economy. Few ATMs are available in the cities.

Time

Local time is GMT +5.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins are in use.

Communications

The international dialing code for Kyrgyzstan is +996. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City codes for Bishkek and Osh are (0)312 and (0)322 respectively. Mobile coverage is limited.

Duty-Free

Adults over 16 may bring the following into Kyrgyzstan without paying duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1,000g tobacco products, 1.5 liters of alcohol and 2 liters of wine, and perfume for personal use.

Embassies in Kyrgyzstan

  • United States Embassy, Bishkek: +996 (0)312 551 241.
  • British Honorary Consul, Bishkek: +996 (0)312 584 245.
  • Canadian Honorary Consulate, Astana, Kazakhstan (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (7172) 790 364.
  • Australian Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 956 6070.
  • South African Embassy, Astana, Kazakhstan (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): + 7 7172 925 326.
  • Irish Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 937 5911.
  • New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kyrgyzstan): +7 (495) 956 3579.

Kyrgyzstan Embassies Abroad

  • Kyrgyzstan Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 449 9822.
  • Kyrgyzstan Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7935 1462.

Emergency

Emergencies: 103 (Ambulance).

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