The border crossing is officially called the Dostuk (Kyrgyz), or Dostlyk (Uzbek) crossing, meaning friendship. This is one of the busiest border crossings for both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as it connects the highly populated Ferghana Valley of Uzbekistan with the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan – Osh.
Until recently it was only accessible to foot traffic, and vehicles had to travel further afield, however now this is also the main crossing between Osh and the Ferghana valley for vehicles. The border is currently undergoing serious upgrades as it is extremely busy and one of the main routes for regional trade.
The border is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. However, they do take a lunch break between 1.15pm and 1.45pm (Kyrgyzstan time).
The border is a relatively simple crossing. On the Kyrgyz side, all you need to do is head to the small passport office and get stamped out. You’ll then walk through the relatively short (50m) border area where a Kyrgyz border guard will check you have been stamped out. Upon entering Uzbekistan you’ll pass an office selling sim cards for tourists, followed by passport control.
The Uzbek side is much less chaotic than the Kyrgyz side. However, on the Kyrgyz side they will often pull foreign tourists aside and wave them to the front so you don’t have to wait 1 or even 2 hours with the local traders doing their daily crossing. Make yourself visible so the guards know you’re not a local.
There are porters offering to carry your bags on both sides as well. It is normal to pay them 1 or 2 dollars for carrying your bags if you choose to use this service, however if you want to carry your own bags be firm with them and keep your belongings close.
Once you’ve been stamped into Uzbekistan, it appears that you have the choice of going through the red channel or green channel depending on whether you need to declare any goods. If you attempt to walk through the green channel though, you’ll be directed to the red as everyone needs to have their bags scanned regardless.
On both sides of the border, you’ll find money changers, as well as shops and food. Make sure you know the exchange rate and don’t be afraid to ask for a better rate than their original offer.
You should also expect the classic taxi touts. Some of those offering their services are the drivers, while others are just opportunists, offering more expensive fares in order to make commission. Some unscrupulous taxi drivers will try to misinform you about public transport options in order to get your business, so beware.
On both sides you can catch local buses, however the most popular route is to catch a bus from the main bus station in Osh to the largest city in Ferghana – Andijon, which takes roughly 2 hours and costs 100 Kygyz Som (USD$1.30). From the Kyrgyz border, trolleybus number 2 goes to the main bazaar in Osh, while marshrutka 138 also heads to the centre along Lenin Avenue. From the border to Andijon in Uzbekistan, expect to pay 5000 Uzbek Som (50cents) to get to the main bus station.
Remember that entering Uzbekistan with a drone is illegal and you’ll have it confiscated if it is found. That being said, plenty of people do manage to enter Uzbekistan with a drone, either by dismantling it so it doesn’t appear like one on x-rays or simply by getting lucky that it wasn’t noticed.
Crossing in reverse is very similar, except that there is a customs check leaving Uzbekistan as well as entering Kyrgyzstan. So expect to have your bag scanned and possibly checked twice.
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