Kyrgyzstan Expands Rail Tourism with New Routes and Modernized Trains
Kyrgyzstan is putting rail tourism on the fast track. The national railway operator, Kyrgyz Temir Jolu, has signed a major cooperation agreement. The deal is with the Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The memorandum focuses on sustainable tourism development. It promotes railways as an affordable and comfortable travel option. Both domestic and international visitors are the target.
Azamat Sakiev, CEO of Kyrgyz Temir Jolu, confirmed the strategy. Rail-based tourism has shown steady growth since 2021. That year, the company launched dedicated tourist trains in partnership with travel firms.
Domestic routes are the immediate priority. However, the company is also working to restore demand for cross-border rail travel. New routes are planned for this year. Modernization of rolling stock continues alongside this expansion.
Upgraded Experience, Stronger Brand
Refurbished railcars are already entering service. They feature traditional Kyrgyz interior design. This strengthens the country’s tourism brand and enhances the passenger experience.
The company reports a noticeable increase in traveler interest following these upgrades. Luxury and VIP compartment cars now operate on the Bishkek-Balykchy line. This route serves the popular Issyk-Kul lake region.
In 2025, the route was extended to the Balykchy Beach stop. Passengers now enjoy direct access to the lakeshore during summer. The route carried 116,122 passengers in 2025. This represents a 31 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Overcoming Infrastructure Limits
Kyrgyzstan’s rail network remains Soviet-era in design. The main line runs from the Kazakh border through Bishkek to Balykchy. Despite these constraints, international interest is growing.
Between 2022 and 2025, the country hosted 27 international tourist trains. Visitors arrived from Europe, Asia, and the United States. This signals a clear global appetite for rail-based travel to Kyrgyzstan.
Regional cooperation is also strengthening. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan recently extended their joint Jibek Joly tourist train route. It now includes Dushanbe, Tajikistan. This strengthens cross-border rail tourism links across Central Asia.
British operator Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has also entered the market. Its new Grand Silk Road journey is a 22-day luxury rail itinerary. It connects major Silk Road destinations across the region.
Kyrgyzstan is now positioning itself firmly on that map. With upgraded trains, new routes, and strategic partnerships, its rail tourism future looks bright.
