Traveling Central Asia Countries As a Solo Filipina: Everything You Need to Know

I’d boldly consider my travel through Central Asia countries as the highlight of my 2024. I visited Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as a solo female and I will share my experience with you in this blog.

This corner of the world a being budget-friendly, safe, and untouched, which makes it so underrated.  According to Statista, Central Asia is expected to generate a revenue of $1.81 billion from the Travel & Tourism market in 2025. This is significantly lower than projections for Southeast Asia, its more popular neighbor, with $32.60 billion in expected revenue this year.

How Many Central Asia Countries?

At the start of your journey, one thing you should know is how many Central Asia countries are there. There are five countries that make-up the region, collectively known as the “5 Stans of Central Asia”. This is because the names of the countries end in “-stan” which means “the land of” in Persian.

Save

Train station in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

1. Kazakhstan – the largest and wealthiest among Central Asia countries. Popularly known for having modern cities like Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan is also home to natural attractions like the Kolsai Lake National Park and Charyn Canyons.
2. Kyrgyzstan – with capital Bishkek sitting only six hours away from Almaty, Kyrgyzstan is a short ride away from Kazakhstan. This country is a paradise for nature lovers and budget travelers, with alpine mountains, hotspring towns, and rainbow canyons.
3. Uzbekistan – is the historical, architectural, and gastronomic center of Central Asia. Popular spots like Samarkand and Bukhara are a favorite destination of European retirees due to stunning mosques, madrassas, and minarets. Gastronic experience in Uzbekistan is the best of all Central Asian countries.
4. Tajikistan – the most mountainous country in the region, with over 90% of its land covered by mountains. This is home to the majority of the Pamir Mountains, with adventure travelers traversing the M41 which is the second highest altitude international highway in the world (4,655 m).
5. Turkmenistan – known as the most closed country out of the five. The country is home to the popular attraction Darvaza Gas Crater or Door to Hell, a massive burning natural gas field that has been continuously ablaze since early 1970s.

Fast Facts About Central Asia Countries

Central Asia countries are very diverse. Sure, they share a lot of similarities but they have distinct culture and lifestyle when looked upon closely. When I traveled around the region for two months, I took noted of a number of small but significant differences that can help with your journey.

Where is Central Asia on the Map?

Where are Central Asia countries on the map? The region borders Russia to the north, China to the east, Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan to the south, and the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus region (Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia) to the west.

Save

Central Asia Time

Central Asia countries have varied timezones When I traveled between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, it took me some time to realize that there’s one hour difference between the two countries. This slightly disrupted my travel plans for the day, and I added this time cheatsheet below to help you avoid the same mistake.

Save

Cheatsheet for Central Asia Timezones

What’s the Language in Central Asia?

Russian is a widely-spoken language in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and lesser but still significant in Uzbekistan. However, I was told that locals would really appreciate if you speak their native language. This is true. I started learning short local phrases and I noticed that they beam with smile when I tell them Rakhmet or Rakhmat for thank you.

Save

Languages in Central Asia

Is Central Asia Safe?

Central Asia countries are less popular among tourists. This makes them all the more enigmatic and attractive for travelers like myself who like going to off-grid destinations. First thing I looked up when planning my trip is safety, is Central Asia safe? I woulndn’t have gone there if I did not know it is safe. However, it turned out that it’s much safer than I already expected.

I never had an experience when I seriously feared for my safety as a solo female traveler, except for that one time in Uzbekistan which I’ll share later.

Save

Visiting an art museum in Almaty, Kazakhstan

First Stop in Central Asia: Kazakhstan

From Mongolia, I took a flight to Kazakhstan’s most popular city, Almaty to officially start exploring Central Asia countries. I would get one thing straight: I did not have a good first impression of this city. And I am pleased I didn’t because it only made everything great from there.

Right off the bat, ATM machines were hard to scout at the airport. This is a first because airports are usually full of them. After I walked around and found nothing, I exchanged some of my leftover USD bills at an authorized exchange counter at the second floor .

This was the first big mistake of the day because rates were really bad. I ended up calling them “scam” out of frustration because this was I think the worst exchange rates I’ve gotten. However, I was too hungry and exhausted to find other places. 

Looking back, I am actually glad this happened because it gave me a realization about traveling. You come to a country as a visitor. You have to accept the rules of the game, regardless if you like it or not. As a visitor, you don’t just take the beauty, you take everything in between, and you also give. Tourism is a two-way benefit. Remember that.

Exploring The Land of Apples: Almaty

As if I wasn’t satisfied with the exchange rate mishap, I crossed out the thought of getting a taxi to my hostel and took the bus from the airport. Almaty is very well connected and has an efficient public transportation, with buses being the king of the road. You need to make the most amount of mistakes, stress, and learnings on your first day in a new country. After that, it will be easy.

It was my first time using the Yandex App which is Central Asia’s version of Grab or Uber. It is an all-in-one platform that you can use to check bus schedules and routes, book a taxi, order food, and many more. It has an English version and pretty easy to navigate. You need to install Yandex and figure out how it words because it will be your best friend during your solo trip to Central Asia countries.

Reminder 💡

Google Maps is not very accurate in this region, partly because of the use of Cyrillic alphabets. Therefore, learning all the fine details of Yandex will be your best option to get around.  

Get the Onay Card

In Almaty, public buses leave on schedule multiple times every hour. There are waiting stations scattered around the city so public transportation is almost never an issue. At the time of my visit, the majority of bus drivers still accept cash payments for bus rides, especially when they know you’re a tourist. However, don’t expect that you’ll always receive a change when paying cash because drivers don’t have them. Almost everyone on Almaty pay using their Onay Card.

As a tourist, getting the Onay Card at the airport is the best. You can simply tap this card to pay for the ride. You can top up on multiple convenience stores and small kiosks on the road, however the machines are in Cyrillic, so that could be a slight issue.

I missed the chance to get an Onay Card at the airport. I survived my month-long trip but I regret not getting one a bit. The Onay Card offers both cheaper bus fares and convenience.

Another Reminder 💡

Buses operate only until a certain time depending on your area. At around 11 pm, you’ll not find many of them around. If you plan on staying out late, best to take that into account. Taking a taxi is a great alternative because fares are cheap.

Solo Travel in Kazakhstan: My Experience

Save

I spent a month in Almaty. I volunteered in Shymbulak for two weeks and explored alone for another two weeks. As a solo traveler, I found Almaty to be very modern and safe. I went out at night, did a lot of solo side quests in and around the city, and always felt safe.

Locals are very friendly and not in an intrusive way. They recognize personal space and respectful of others. I also found them very willing to help. One time I got stuck in the city at midnight due to road construction. Despite the language barrier, they tried their best to communicate and help.

In terms of language barrier, you’ll not find many people speaking English. Russian is the most common language and is used for everyday conversations. Although, locals will be very happy when you speak Kazakh. A simple Rakhmet (thank you) will be handy.

Eating Out: Cafes and Restaurants

When it comes to food, Almaty is also a food haven and you’ll never run out of choices. I personally prefer small and affordable restaurants referred to as “stolovayas” with ready-made food. I frequented a popular local fast-food chain called “Qaganat” which offers local specialties like manti, beshbarmak, and many Kazkakh desserts. This is a great option if you’re into eating healthier choices, although prices are a bit on the higher side.

Supermarkets are great way to get good and cheap food. In all of Central Asia countries, Kazakhstan has the best supermarkets. Your go-to places are chains like Magnum and Small (yep, that’s the name). Premium supermarkets like Galmart have more choices for ready-made food but a bit more expensive.

For Digital Nomads 💡

I would go as far as saying that Almaty has huge potential to become a digital nomad haven. The city has reliable connectivity, efficient public transportation, with many cafes and work-suitable spaces. The prices are affordable and there’s nature around. You can walk alone at night and always feel safe.

Save

Fruit Stand at Almaty Green Bazaar

Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan Border Crossing

From Almaty, I took a six-hour bus from the Sairan Bus Station to get into Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, to continue my quest to visit as many Central Asia countries as possible.

Although I left on a weekend, I did not purchase a ticket in advance because doing so means going to the bus station to get the tickets which costs time and money. You can’t do it online at the time we were there. Some of my co-volunteers who left two days earlier than me purchased their tickets in advance for a sure seat.

The bus journey was comfortable. We stopped for a quick meal at a stolovaya and continued the journey. I was quite surprised at how smooth the border crossing went, especially as a solo female traveler from the Philippines who has never been to this side of the world.

I hadn’t been asked any questions upon crossing Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan. We took a bit of time in Kazakh side since there were a lot of people crossing that day. While everything went very fast upon reaching the Kyrgyz side. This is because I already got Kyrgyzstan electronic visa sorted a month in advance. The officer briefly looked at my e-visa and allowed me to enter.

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan!

Second Stop in Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan

Among all Central Asia countries, Kyrgyzstan is the country I was looking forward to visiting the most. I have been following a Kyrgyz nature photographer on Instagram for quite some time, and always get inspired by his adventures.

I reached Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s quiet capital will a large influence from Soviet Union — the era is till evident from the architecture of commercial buildings, government offices, and public parks. The capital is was good for staying two to three days, just to be familiar with the culture and history through museum visits. The beauty of Kyrgyzstan lies outside Bishkek.

Save

Descending the Ala Kul Pass, Kyrgyzstan

Getting Around Kyrgyzstan: Marshrutkas

To get around from one town to another, your best option will be taking “marshrutkas,” These are big vans used as public transportations within the city and inter-city. Marshrutkas have affordable fares and are quite comfortable to ride. You will use them everywhere while in Kyrgyzstan, from getting to Bishkek to Karakol and to other towns like Jyrgalan, Bokonbayevo, and etc.

I am very sensitive to sound and smell, so I want to share my personal observation with marshrutkas. First, they have those funny-smelling air fresheners which are used lot in the Philippines and makes people feel sick. Hence, traveling by marshrutka is quite a breath of fresh air. Literally. 

Second, you’ll have a quiet ride. As someone who is from the Philippines and has been to other parts of Southeast Asia, music and television shows are always full volume when traveling by buses or vans. These are overstimulating to the senses, making me feel dizzy at the end of the ride. There’s almost no noise in marshrutka rides. Locals, in my experience, talk in hushed manner. You can keep that noise cancelling headphones while in Kyrgyzstan.

Solo Travel in Kyrgyzstan: My Experience

I traveled Kyrgyzstan for close to a month. From that timeline I visited Bishkek, Karakol, Jeti Oguz, and Bokonbayevo. The experience was nothing short of amazing — it exceeded my expectations despite the fact that I set the bar very high prior to my visit.

There’s one time when I traveled from Karakol to Bokonbayevo where I got a full sense of what beautiful is. Imagine, I have famous Issyk Kul lake on my right view, the Skazka Fairytale Canyons on my left, and some snow-covered alpine mountains in front. That pretty much sums up the kind of country Kyrgyzstan is. Breathtaking.

It’s also a very affordable country to travel to, like the rest of Central Asia countries. Hostels cost around $10 (500 PHP) a night, while dining out is at $6 (300 PHP) to $8 (400 PHP) on average for a solo female like myself.

Kyrgyz love their meat…

One issue I had is food. Like the Philippines and Mongolia, Kyrgyz love their meat. I found it quite hard to hit my vegetable goal intake when eating out in restaurants. It’s best to go to supermarkets to get ready-made vegetable dishes or buy fruits from local sellers. You can also get nuts, dried fruits, and breads at affordable prices.

Bus from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan

Crossing from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan was not a walk in the park. First, I had to take a 16-hour bus from Bishkek to Tashkent where they literally put me in a bunk. It was initially a very uncomfortable experience because they placed me between two men, but they were very friendly and respectful, and the journey has become an insightful travel experience.  

Being placed in a literal hole to sleep next to strangers did not sound like a good idea. But my “bunk mates” were very aware of the fact there is a woman sleeping side by side next them, and they did their best to help me find my footing in the situation. I know it sounds quite selfish to show discomfort in a situation like this, especially that I should have known what I signed up for when taking a cheap, public transportation.

I acknowledged my feelings before resigning to my fate with having an open mind to a new experience. It was a beautiful experience of openness which is what travel is often about. 

Save

One thing I did not know about the Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan crossing is that the bus will pass through Kazakhstan.

Good thing that Philippine passport holders can enter Kazakhstan visa-free. Hence, this did not end up bad. If you’re from a country that needs a visa to enter Kazakhstan, you should look up and prepare the necessary travel requirements before taking the bus.

I Got Held at Border Crossing

Uzbekistan is quite different. Us entering from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan had to wait in a chaotic line with only two immigration officers facilitating border crossing of hundreds of people. While those crossing from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan do it quickly through electronic gates. It’s a minor case of juxtaposition.

I got held for an hour and a half in front of the counter when it was my turn. The officer did not give me an explanation as to why. I applied for an Uzbekistan electronic visa a month in advance, so I had no idea what the problem was. Others, who are on the queue after me, were also stuck because there are only two or three officers there.

Finally, after more than an hour of waiting, the Uzbek officer returned, pronounced my name perfectly — Miryan, as the real pronunciation is — and stamped my passport. No questions asked nor explanations given.

We had to wait for our bus to come to the Uzbek side. But even when I got held for a long time, the bus was still stuck on the Kyrgyz side. I made friends with some travelers from the same bus and we took the taxi to the city center. It was a fun group but we never saw each other again. Sad.

Last Stop in Central Asia: Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is the final country in my Central Asia travel stint.

I stayed in the country for only two weeks – the shortest of the three Central Asia countries I visited. But in that span of time, I already managed to visit all the popular sites: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. It’s not that I did not like Uzbekistan. In fact, the country’s capital Tashkent is one of my favorite cities, ever.

The reason being that after spending quite a long time in the cold climate of the region, my Filipina bum is already craving for some tropical heat. It is the end of October and days are only getting colder.

Save

A Madrassah in Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Getting Around: Uzbek Trains

Trains are the king in Uzbek roads. Locals and travelers travel by trains to travel between towns as they are abundant and affordable.

There are different types of trains and classes. There’s the Afrosiyob high speed trains which are expensive but convenient. Afrosiyob seats sold out very fast. Due to their convenience, many people book them weeks in advance, especially during weekends and holidays.

Meanwhile, locals opt for more budget-friendly options, especially on long-distance travels. Sleeper trains by Uzbekistan Railways are almost always the best bet for that. I took sleeper trains on my entire Uzbekistan trip (Samarkand to Bukhara, Bukhara to Khiva, and Khiva to Tashkent) and can say it was quite an experience. There is very little space to move around and ventilation is almost non-existent. Surprisingly, I slept well in all occasions. You’ll also feel a of satisfaction in the fact that you’re traveling with locals and you can see how things go there. Like really go.

Aside from trains, taking a taxi is another good option to explore sites within cities. From my calculation, Uzbekistan the cheapest taxi rates among the countries I visited. I remember booking a 35-minute ride without traffic in Tashkent and paying $3 (180 PHP). Mindblown. 

Solo Travel in Uzbekistan: My Experience

Save

Wearing the khan-atlas tunic-dress, Uzbekistan

With some of the articles I read about Uzbekistan about scams on popular spots and a whole group of taxi drivers coming to you at train stations, I had my guards up as soon as I came here. While there is truth about the scam and taxi stories, here are my two experiences.

1. I had fallen for a scam when buying jewelry in Samarkand, but it’s more because I badly wanted to buy one instead of scouring through the neighborhood and getting the best price. A tactic that scammy sellers have is to give you the highest possible price for the item you want to buy, and they expect you to negotiate. I did not have the energy for that so I felt quite irritated by the scheme at first. 
   
2. Taxi drivers really do come at you at train stations, especially on big stations like Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. One time I landed in Bukhara, sleepy and hungry, and was instantly swarmed by taxi drivers. I had to dismiss around 20 of them, drank my cold coke at midnight in the middle of the road, and booked a Yandex. Recalling from memory, I really did feel vulnerable in that situation. But it’s annoying for sure, particularly because I had been traveling for quite some time when I had been in the country so my sensitivity is already at its peak.

In a nutshell

Overall, Uzbekistan is more like a “dismiss them and I am off” kind of country. They understand a no so you have to give a firm one. I had been to Morocco, and safe to say, Uzbekistan gives it easy.

A Weird Experience in Uzbekistan

Before ending this blog, I want to share one weird experience I had in Tashkent. There are not many hostel options and I had to settle for a guesthouse at one point.

There are three beds in this guesthouse with no cover, so you get to have “roommates,” with each having their own bed. The middle bed is occupied by an old man who claims to be working for the ministry of energy. He looks like a permanent tenant of the guesthouse, with his cabinet already full of suits and shoes for work.

The old man was initially friendly, but he became overly friendly at one point, and held my hand tightly upon greeting me in the breakfast room. He did not do anything more upon showing him my discomfort, but it was quite discomforting to share the same room with this person. 

One thing I am thankful for is that reception is 24 hours, and the guesthouse staff sleeps right in front of our room. So in case anything weird happens, I can call for help. Thankfully, everything went ok. If not, I am ready for these kinds of incidents, being a solo female traveler for years now. 

Solo Travel in Central Asia Countries: A Memory of a Lifetime

One thing that kept me sane during the pandemic is watching travel vlogs on Central Asia countries. I always feel an emotional sensation in my heart as if saying, you should go there someday.

My trip to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, is an adventure of a lifetime. I had lots of new learnings and experiences. For a solo female traveler, Central Asia is not only a safe corner in the world but also worth seeing for its beauty, culture, and cuisine.