There are 5 ways to get from Karakol to Shymkent by car, plane, bus, train, or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Drive to Almaty International Airport, fly
best- Drive from Karakol to Almaty International Airport (ALA)car
- Fly from Almaty International Airport (ALA) to Shymkent International Airport (CIT)plane ALA - CIT
6h 37m$68–126Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Karakol to Bishkek Avtovokzalbus
- Take the bus from Bishkek Avtovokzal to Shymkent Samal Bus Stationbus
17h 7m$20–21Bus, train
- Take the bus from Karakol to Bishkek Avtovokzalbus
- Take the train from Bischkek 2 to Shymkenttrain 317
19h 48mDrive 849 km
- Drive from Karakol to Shymkentcar 849 km
12h 31m$64–92Taxi to Issyk-Kul International Airport, fly
- Take the taxi from Karakol to Issyk-Kul International Airport (IKU)taxi
- Fly from Issyk-Kul International Airport (IKU) to Shymkent International Airport (CIT)plane IKU - CIT
6h 26m$187–645
Almaty International Airport (ALA) to Shymkent International Airport (CIT) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Karakol to Shymkent is to bus which costs $19 - $21 and takes 17h 7m.
The fastest way to get from Karakol to Shymkent is to taxi and fly which takes 6h 26m and costs $180 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Karakol to Shymkent station. However, there are services departing from Karakol and arriving at Shymkent Samal Bus Station via Bishkek Avtovokzal. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 17h 7m.
The distance between Karakol and Shymkent is 988 km. The road distance is 849 km.
The best way to get from Karakol to Shymkent without a car is to bus which takes 17h 7m and costs $19 - $21.
It takes approximately 6h 37m to get from Karakol to Shymkent, including transfers.
Karakol to Shymkent bus services, operated by Kyrgyz Avtobeketi, depart from Karakol station.
Karakol to Shymkent bus services, operated by Kyrgyz Avtobeketi, arrive at Bishkek Avtovokzal station.
Shymkent is 1h behind Karakol. It is currently 1:06 PM in Karakol and 12:06 PM in Shymkent.
Yes, the driving distance between Karakol to Shymkent is 849 km. It takes approximately 12h 31m to drive from Karakol to Shymkent.
What companies run services between Karakol, Kyrgyzstan and Shymkent, Kazakhstan?
You can take a bus from Karakol to Shymkent via Bishkek Avtovokzal and Shymkent Samal Bus Station in around 17h 7m.
- Website
- scat.kz
Flights from Almaty International Airport to Shymkent International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–110
- Website
- flyr.com
Flights from Almaty International Airport to Shymkent International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–75
Flights from Issyk-Kul International Airport to Shymkent International Airport via Almaty International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $150–600
- Website
- airastana.com
Flights from Almaty International Airport to Shymkent International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–500
- Phone
- +996 (312) 92-68-47
- [email protected]
- Website
- Kyrgyz Railways
Train from Bischkek 2 to Shymkent
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 22m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Website
- Kyrgyz Railways
- Book at
- Kyrgyz Railways
- Phone
- +996 555 452 709
- Website
- avtovokzal.kg
Bus from Karakol to Bishkek Avtovokzal
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $6
- Book at
- Bishkek City Hall
- Book at
- Tezket.kg
Bus from Bishkek Avtovokzal to Shymkent Samal Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $13
- Book at
- Bishkek City Hall
- Book at
- Tezket.kg
Bus from Karakol to Bishkek Avtovokzal
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $6
- Book at
- Bishkek City Hall
- Book at
- Tezket.kg
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 43m
- Estimated price
- $35–45
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Booking & Getting There
There are 313+ hotels available in Shymkent.


