Routes & borders
Land border crossings in Central Asia
The main crossings travellers use between the five countries, and what to expect.
Border crossing finder
Choose the two countries you want to travel between.
11 crossings
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Gisht Kuprik – Zhibek ZholyOpen all year
Tashkent Shymkent · Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan
The main crossing between Tashkent and southern Kazakhstan, about 20 minutes from Tashkent. Busy at weekends and holidays.
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Dustlik – DostukOpen all year
Fergana Valley Osh · Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan
Links Andijan in the Fergana Valley with Osh, the start of the Pamir Highway.
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Jartepa – SarazmOpen all year
Samarkand Penjikent · Uzbekistan – Tajikistan
About an hour from Samarkand; the way to Penjikent, the Seven Lakes and the Fann Mountains.
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Oybek – FotehobodOpen all year
Tashkent Khujand · Uzbekistan – Tajikistan
Links Tashkent with Khujand in northern Tajikistan.
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Sariosiyo – TursunzodaOpen all year
Termez Dushanbe · Uzbekistan – Tajikistan
The southern crossing, between Surkhandarya (Denau, Termez) and Dushanbe.
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Shavat – DashoguzOpen all year
Khiva Kunya-Urgench · Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan
A short drive from Khiva; the usual way to Kunya-Urgench and the Darvaza crater. Turkmen visa or letter of invitation required.
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Khojeli – Kunya-UrgenchOpen all year
Nukus Kunya-Urgench · Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan
From Nukus in Karakalpakstan straight to Kunya-Urgench. Turkmen visa or letter of invitation required.
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Alat – FarapOpen all year
Bukhara Ancient Merv · Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan
Near Bukhara, towards Turkmenabat and ancient Merv. Turkmen visa or letter of invitation required.
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KordayOpen all year
Almaty Bishkek · Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan
The main road between Almaty and Bishkek, about 4–5 hours door to door.
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Kegen – KarkaraSeasonal
Kolsai Lakes Karakol · Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan
A mountain crossing between the Kolsai Lakes area and Karakol, open in summer only.
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Kyzyl-Art (Bor-Dobo – Karakul)Check before you go
Osh The Pamirs · Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan
At about 4,280 m on the Pamir Highway. Reopened in 2025 after years of closure; a GBAO permit is needed on the Tajik side.
Pins show the towns on each side, not the exact border posts. Crossings open and close at short notice; we check them for every trip we plan.
How crossings work
Most land borders are crossed on foot: your driver takes you to the border, you walk through both posts, and a driver meets you on the other side. Allow from 30 minutes to a few hours. Have your passport and visa (if needed) ready, and avoid photographing border facilities.
Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan
The busiest crossing is between Tashkent and Shymkent. It is the natural route for combining Tashkent with Turkistan and southern Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan
The Dostyk crossing between Andijan and Osh links the Fergana Valley with southern Kyrgyzstan.
Uzbekistan – Tajikistan
Near Samarkand, the crossing towards Penjikent gives access to the Seven Lakes and the Fann Mountains. Further east, the Oybek crossing links Tashkent with Khujand.
Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan
Shavat–Dashoguz, a short drive from Khiva, is the most convenient for Kunya-Urgench and Darvaza; Farap, near Bukhara, links with Turkmenabat and Merv. A Turkmen visa or letter of invitation is required.
Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan
Korday, between Almaty and Bishkek, is open year-round. The Kegen–Karkara mountain crossing near the Kolsai Lakes and Karakol is seasonal.
Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan
The Kyzyl-Art Pass on the Pamir Highway connects Osh with the Pamirs. The Kyrgyz–Tajik border was closed from 2021 and reopened in stages during 2025, after the two countries signed their border treaty; Kyzyl-Art reopened in summer 2025. Rules for foreigners and permits have changed several times, so always check the current status.
Check before you go
Border opening hours and status can change at short notice. If we plan your trip, we confirm the crossings before departure.
Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.
