Search results
FR
More options

Keyword matching drives the results; the remaining options refine the query on the backend.

Many results are in French, the community’s main language. English translations are added over time.

Search results
Kyrgyzstan: Practical Information 2026
by Attila · 2026-07-04 · 24 replies
Recent information about this country is scarce, so I’m starting this post in addition to my travel journal to help fill the gap.

- Which airline from Europe?

Turkish Airlines seems like an excellent option. The price is very reasonable (just over 500 €), the layover isn’t too long, the in-flight comfort is decent (great movie selection), and the planes are modern. Plus, the price automatically includes 30 kilos of luggage, which is perfect for campers.

The downside: the outrageous prices at Istanbul Airport.

- Bishkek Airport

The airport is under full reconstruction. It’s chaotic. There are SIM card vendors upon arrival, but no currency exchange or ATMs in the baggage claim area. You’ll find those in the departures section, which means you have to exit and re-enter under the current setup.

Personally, I pre-booked a VTC with my hotel for the transfer to the city. (Prices vary depending on the hotel’s standard—1200 soms for mine.)

There are taxis and a bus available.

- Entry Requirements

No visa is required for French citizens for stays of up to 30 days.

- Currency

The currency is the som, and the conversion is easy—just divide by 100...

You can get soms by exchanging euros (dollars are useless) or by withdrawing from an ATM. Some ATMs charge fees. Those from Mbank and Optimabank are fee-free.

The maximum withdrawal is usually 20,000 soms.

Bills come in 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, and 20 soms.

Coins: 10, 5, 3, and 1 som.

- Paying

Card payments are accepted in supermarkets like Globus, some restaurants, gas stations of major chains (Bishkek Petroleum, Partner Neft, Red Petroleum), some hotels, national park entrances, tolls, etc.

But it doesn’t always work.

So always carry cash with you!

If the card works, great—otherwise, it’s back to the old days of wads of bills.

- Cost of Living

It’s really cheap (gas, affordable restaurants even at a decent standard, hotels, souvenirs, fruits, vegetables, water, bread...). For example, a lagman costs only 3.20 €, fixing a flat tire is 3.5 €, a full hour-long wash for a filthy 4x4 is 6 €, washing a big bag of laundry is 3 €, and a liter of 95-octane gas is 0.86 €...

On the pricier side: guesthouses and meals in guesthouses. The value for money is poor. I paid 40 € for a mediocre room with a very basic shared bathroom, while a double with AC, private bathroom, and fridge in a non-touristy hotel cost 20 €... Meals in guesthouses are the worst I’ve eaten and often the most expensive. Plus, they’re very light—don’t expect to fill up after a long day of hiking!

Car rentals are also quite expensive (70 $ per day for a RAV4 in my case).

In short, for two people, excluding accommodation and car rental, we spent an average of 45 € per day (groceries, restaurants, guesthouse dinners, souvenirs, paid activities, gas).

The trip cost us 2200 € per person all-inclusive for 3 weeks on the ground. Roughly 1/4 for the flight, 1/4 for the car, 1/4 for accommodation, and 1/4 for everything else.

- Getting Around

I’ve met cyclists, motorcyclists, people renting cars, those who drove their own vehicles from Europe, and others using public transport and taxis.

Personally, I chose to rent a car.

If you’re not planning long hikes or multi-day horse treks, it’s a great option for exploring the country.

Each car rental company has its own list of forbidden tracks. Make sure your planned route is allowed! Don’t think about ignoring this—vehicles are equipped with GPS trackers...

An international driver’s permit is required.

Police and speed cameras are everywhere, so it’s best to respect the signs (daytime running lights, seatbelts, 40-60 km/h in populated areas, 90 km/h on roads, zero tolerance for alcohol).

Locals have a unique driving style, and it can be dangerous on main roads (they overtake recklessly...). Like in Greece, South Africa, or Malta, a two-lane road is treated as a three-lane one. You pull over to let others pass or to let oncoming traffic overtake.

Without a car (at least a pseudo-4x4), you won’t be able to go everywhere. This country is a nature destination, but nature isn’t always accessible by public transport.

If a spot is near a road, great—the bus will get you almost to the door. Otherwise, you’ll need to hire an agency or take a taxi.

Cyclists will face steep climbs and dust. I’d advise avoiding main roads as much as possible—traffic isn’t on your side...

Motorcyclists will also eat a lot of dust and should research gas stations along their route (this advice also applies to vehicles running on 95-octane).

There’s a 95-octane pump in Kazarman and Gulcha.

Bikes and motorcycles have an advantage over cars, even 4x4s, as they can access some very remote tracks that other vehicles can’t (hikers and horses can obviously take them too!).

Be careful: some areas require a permit (border zones). Research this well in advance—the formalities don’t take an hour or even a day!

Be warned: Google Maps is completely unreliable (it shows roads that don’t exist, routes you through difficult tracks instead of paved roads, etc.). It’s essential to download Maps.me in advance. This app is much more reliable for this country, works offline, and is handy for hiking navigation.

A reminder: horseback riding is like cycling... If you’re not used to it or naturally padded in the right places, your backside will suffer in no time!

Think carefully before embarking on a multi-day trek!

Finally, this country is a kingdom of construction... The Chinese have taken over the market to improve truck circulation and are paving everywhere. (Good news: the Kazarman-Osh section via the tunnel is finally open in summer, even if the road isn’t quite finished.)

- Eating

I had prejudices about Kyrgyz food.

I was both wrong and right.

Supermarkets don’t offer much that’s appealing for picnics. It’s cheap, filling food, full of junk, and not gourmet. If you follow Yuka, I think you’ll be on a diet the whole trip. Bringing some pâté, sausages, or freeze-dried meals for certain nights is a good idea...

Guesthouse dinners consist of the eternal cucumber-tomato salad, a soup, and a light noodle or rice dish where you’ll be searching for the meat... Usually tough and unidentifiable. Beef? The bread is stale, and there’s no dessert or fruit.

Breakfasts always revolve around eggs or porridge... The homemade jam is usually good.

Tea is the number one drink, followed by kompot (a fruit-based drink), Coke, and Fanta.

If you want real coffee, bring your own—it’s very rare.

On the other hand, you eat well in restaurants. Lagman (homemade noodles, vegetables, spices, and usually beef), crispy eggplant, kuurdak (a kind of lamb stew with potatoes), kebabs, plov (pilaf rice with onions, carrots, and meat), and rainbow trout... For dessert? Nada!

And alcohol?

It’s available in all Globus stores: beer, wine, spirits, and you can consume your purchases in some guesthouses (depending on the owner’s religious tolerance). It’s also available in some restaurants (Bishkek, Karakol, Osh...).

The deadly specialty?

White fermented milk balls called kurut. If you think a raw-milk camembert is strong, steer clear! This is more like an old, dry, spicy goat cheese.

- Accommodation

In remote areas, it’s better to check availability on Booking a few days in advance rather than showing up last minute with high hopes.

Booking and Airbnb only offer a small portion of what’s available.

Not necessarily guesthouses, but mostly accommodations aimed at locals (business or leisure travel).

These places are generally more comfortable. There’s even some upscale options.

So it’s necessary to scour Google Maps or Yandex Maps... These accommodations are usually found on Instagram, and WhatsApp is handy for booking!

Prices are a bit of a lottery. So is the comfort. From 20 to 80 € for a double, usually with a private bathroom. (Average around 40 €). These rates are for mid-range options.

Otherwise, this country is a paradise for wild camping. In a camper van, rooftop tent, or ground tent... There are beautiful spots everywhere!

- Climate

I thought it would be quite cool/cold at altitude.

I packed too many warm clothes...

If you’re not doing high-altitude treks or sleeping in a tent, there’s no need to overload yourself with winter gear.

A good fleece, a windproof rain jacket, and technical base layers will be enough.

It only got really cold in the evenings at Song Kul Lake and Tash Rabat, and the yurts are equipped with thick blankets and a stove.

Elsewhere, temperatures ranged from 15 to 30 °C.

In short, I used the AC more than the heater! (It’s hard to drive with the windows open unless you want to be covered in dust in no time...)

- Communication

I bought an eSIM before the trip with a data plan for Kyrgyzstan (Beeline network). Perfect for communicating via WhatsApp right after landing, but this network isn’t the best in Kyrgyzstan.

We then got a physical SIM card with an unlimited one-month plan (less than 4 € including the SIM) at a Mega store downtown. This network is much better, and you get coverage in all cities and most villages. Usually in the mountain passes too.

To make yourself understood, it’s essential to download Google Translate with French, Kyrgyz, Russian, and English options.

Very useful for translating menus, signs, and communicating with locals.

Hosts and other tourism professionals will even pull out their phones to communicate with non-Russian speakers.

The police too...

- Religion

There’s a noticeable difference between the north and the southwest of the country.

In the north, it’s a bit like Albania. People are Muslim by culture but not really by religion.

In the southwest, radical Islam is growing. Mosques are more numerous and imposing. Men are more bearded, women more veiled.

For travelers, religion isn’t an issue except for the near-total absence of pork.

There’s Russian sausage, but reading the ingredient list, it’s more like a one-way ticket to cancer than an Auvergne dry sausage...



You can find the detailed account of the trip here.
Looking for family-friendly accommodation in Poland: traditional agrotourism, authentic guesthouse
by Soph07 · 2026-05-29 · 2 replies
Hi, Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms. Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how? Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?

Thanks for your reply
Poland: average cost of a meal and souvenirs in zloty
by Lecondor · 2026-04-01 · 5 replies
Hi there

I’d like to know how much a meal costs on average in zloty in Poland (Warsaw, Kraków, Częstochowa, Wadowice), and also the price of souvenirs like postcards and magnets—so I don’t end up with too many zlotys left after my 5-day trip to Poland?
Feedback on Poland itinerary
by Coco3826 · 2026-01-25 · 16 replies
Hi there!!

This summer, we're planning to explore Poland from July 4th to 23rd. I’ve outlined our rough itinerary below—could you let me know if the number of days allocated to each destination makes sense or if there’s anything we should change? Thanks in advance!

S4 Departure, overnight in Würzburg (Germany) to break up the drive. D5 Travel day with visits: Jawor and Świdnica churches, Książ Castle (likely just the exterior), and a few other stops. Overnight in Wrocław. L6 Explore Wrocław M7 Explore Wrocław M8 Visit Kłodzko—is one day enough? Overnight near Auschwitz. J9 Visit Auschwitz, overnight in Kraków V10 Explore Kraków S11 Explore Kraków D12 Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, overnight near Zakopane L13 Zakopane M14 Zakopane M15 Visit Zamość, overnight in Lublin J16 Explore Lublin, overnight in Masuria (TBD) V17 Explore Masuria S18 Explore Masuria D19 Depart for Gdańsk, visit the Teutonic Castle, overnight in Gdańsk L20 Explore Gdańsk M21 Explore Gdańsk J22 Explore Gdańsk, possible day trip to Sopot? V23 Visit Toruń, then drive back to Germany. Overnight stop like on the way out. S24 Home!

Best, Christophe
Question about organizing a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau
by Pilou069 · 2026-01-16 · 5 replies
Hello, Our trip is coming together nicely, and I have lots of questions about organizing this visit. We’re now looking to book our tickets for the Auschwitz-Birkenau tour. We have a hotel 5 km from the site, so we don’t need transportation. We’ll park our motorcycles there. Is the 3.5-hour tour complete, or are the others 7 hours because they include travel, as often mentioned in the booking title? Which is the most reliable site to book through? We can’t eat on-site. Can we bring water? Is there a place to eat nearby? There are so many questions, but this visit is very important to me.

Thanks in advance for your answers and advice!
Information for a cycling trip from Poland to Armenia via Romania and Georgia
by Bergotplou · 2025-11-10 · 6 replies
Hi there! Every year, we go on a cycling trip abroad with panniers, lasting about two weeks. We stay in step lodgings, guesthouses, and the like. We mostly take small roads and really enjoyed northern Montenegro and Albania last year.

We’d love to hear from anyone who’s cycled in these countries before: tips on finding quiet roads, highlights of the regions we’ll pass through, how welcoming the locals are, and so on. Thanks in advance for any replies or exchanges!
Is two weeks enough to see Poland?
by Tibouchon78 · 2025-09-23 · 8 replies
hi everyone, I’d like to spend two weeks in Poland visiting the most beautiful spots: monuments, landscapes, etc. Do you think two weeks is enough? I’m planning to rent a car and book a room as I go. If anyone’s done this road trip before, I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks! 🙂
Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau during a motorcycle trip
by Pilou069 · 2025-09-11 · 5 replies
Hello! We’re planning a motorcycle trip that will include a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in June 2026. We’re unsure (still debating) whether we should stay at a hotel on-site and get to the memorial with an Uber (leaving our bikes at the hotel) and book a guided tour, or base ourselves in Kraków and take a tour that includes transport. One thing’s for sure—we’d prefer a guide in French since we don’t speak English 😅.

Could you share your experiences or advice? I understand we need to book online rather than on-site. Thanks in advance for your replies!
Polish translation
by Isabelle1968 · 2025-07-06 · 2 replies
Hi everyone, and thanks in advance for your help! I know this forum is really great, and I feel a bit awkward posting this request... I speak a little Polish, but not that well, especially when it comes to slang or colloquial speech... Someone said to me the other day: "kurwa ty kurwa". Of course, I know what the word "kurwa" means, but when someone is really angry, I’m not sure how to interpret this phrase. Could you please help me by giving the French equivalent? I’m really sorry for this somewhat unusual request, but it’s very important to me. Thanks!
Bialowieza from Warsaw (WAW)
by Smagghe · 2025-07-03 · 5 replies
Hi there,

When landing in Warsaw (WAW) in the middle of the day, is it possible to reach Bialowieza by public transport before nightfall? Or is it better to spend the night in Warsaw or Bialystok?

In August, is it easy to find accommodation/homestays in Bialowieza without booking in advance? What about the other parks in the area?

Thanks in advance! 🙂
Are highways toll roads for motorcycles in Poland?
by Pgst59 · 2025-05-31 · 7 replies
Hi, I’d like to know if highways in Poland are toll roads for motorcycles, especially the A4 between WROCLAW and CRACOW.

If so, do you need to buy a vignette? Pay online? Are there toll booths at the entrances/exits? Thanks
Vols pour la Pologne
by Yadin · 2020-09-15 · 11 replies
Bonjour j ai plusieurs questions concernant un projet de voyage avec AF-KLM. Je souhaiterais partir de Marseille vers la Pologne le 3 oct pour une semaine. Je souhaite prendre Air France. J ai lu sur un article de presse que depuis aujourd hui tous les billets étaient annulables sans raison particulière et que les billets non remboursables pouvaient en cas d annulation obtenir un avoir remboursable. Ou pouvons nous lire cette info sur le site d air france. Je n ai rien trouvé de tel sur le site et la dame que j ai eu au téléphone m a dit que seuls les vols annulés par ma compagnie pouvaient obtenir un avoir. Selon si cette info est exacte je réserverai un billet standard non remboursable ou sinon pour 200 € de plus un billet flex.

Pour le choix de vol, ils passent par Amsterdam. Or les pays bas mettent les gens en provenance de Marseille en quarantaine. La dame d air france me l confirmé et m a dit qu on me refuserait l embarquement. Je ne trouve aucune info nulle part concernant cela et ça m etonne beaucoup.

Enfin dernière question, le pologne est aujourd hui ouverte au tourisme pour tous les ressortissants de l espace Schengen. Pensez vous qu ils gardent cette ligne ?

Merci de votre aide

Seb
Obtenir rapidement un visa de travail pour la Pologne à partir du Cameroun
by Pamelanyanga · 2020-09-12 · 1 reply
J’aimerai rapidement obtenir un visa de travail à partir du Cameroun Comment puis-je procéder ? Quelqu’un a-t-il une expérience à partager avec moi?
Selfie à Auschwitz
by Evajules · 2020-09-07 · 59 replies
Bonjour à tous,

Le hasard total de mes "promenades " sur le net m'ont amené à un article du Huffington post qui explique que le centre mémorial d'Auschwitz a été contraint de faire un " rappel à l'ordre " devant la recrudescence des visiteurs ( comme si on visitait en ce lieu ! ) faisant des selfies devant la porte, devant les bâtiments, devant des photos de prisonniers décharnés, sur les rails....

J'ai eu peine à le croire et en regardant sur G images en tapant selfie Auschwitz, j'ai pu constater le summum de la honte ! Déjà, cette mode des selfies m'agace un peu, mais alors là, cela dépasse mon entendement et le respect qui doit prévaloir en ce lieu.

C'était mon " coup de gueule de ce soir,

Respect à vous toutes et tous et bonne soirée.
Visa travail pour la Pologne
by Dibongue · 2020-08-28 · 1 reply
Bonjour monsieur svp j'aimerais avoir le lien pour connaître la liste des documents a fournir pour un visa travail Pologne
Prolifération de bactéries type virio en mer Baltique
by Milenka67 · 2020-06-30 · 3 replies
Pour ceux qui vont en Pologne cette année et plus précisément en mer Baltique, il semblerait que certains journaux fassent la une d'une bactérie de type bacillus - virio causant quelques effets secondaires néfastes....parlant même de potentiellement que la Pologne pourrait interdire les baignades.... Sur le site de la médecine de voyage.net la recommandation est d'éviter dans "les régions touchées"....

Quelqu'un a de plus amples info ? Des infos sur place ?

J'ai un voyage en Pologne prévu cet été avec passage dans le nord potentiellement. Peut être il vaudrait mieux se concentrer sur le centre est est de repousser la Baltique pour une autre fois ?
Voyager d'affaires en Pologne
by Guebou · 2020-03-17 · 1 reply
Salut le forum je suis Cameroun ..commerçants je Merais aller faire mes achats En Pologne pour ravitailler mon magasin. j'ai une brocante Au Cameroun ..je sais pas si c'est possible d'obtenir un. Visa d'affaire pour la Pologne .
Croisière sur la Vistule jusqu'à l'abbaye de Tyniec lors d'un séjour à Cracovie
by Marthaigo · 2020-02-07 · 3 replies
Nous sommes deux amies et avons prévu de visiter CRACOVIE 4 jours en avril 2020 (inclus week-end de Pâques). Nous souhaitons savoir comment se rendre à l'Abbaye de Tyniec pour profiter aussi de l'environnement. Nous souhaiterions profiter d'une croisière sur la Vistule jusqu'à l'abbaye mais ce que nous avons trouvé est HORS DE PRIX (Poland Travel 293 € par personne pour 4 H de croisère !!). Quelqu'un peut-il nous aider ou nous indiquer une agence locale beaucoup plus accessible. Merci d'avance Martine et Sylvie PS : avons réservé la visite de la Mine de Sel avec CITAVITIS
Se rendre à Auschwitz en voiture et visiter sans guide
by Lelion42 · 2020-02-04 · 6 replies
Bonjour à tous,

nous sommes une famille de 4 personnes et passerons une semaine de vacances à Cracovie fin juillet.

Nous voudrions visiter Auschwitz et j'aurai quelques questions:

- peut on se rendre sur place en voiture (nous pensons louer une voiture pour 3 jours histoire de visiter également la mine de sel et Zakopane) ? Y a t il des parkings, si oui sont ils payants ?

- peut on visiter librement les camps, sans guide (j'ai lu des avis contradictoires à ce sujet) ? La visite sans guide, si elle est possible, est elle payante et faut il tout de même réserver ?

Je suis conscient que ces questions ont sans doute déjà été posées sur ce forum mais je n'ai pas trouvé de réponses claires (ou alors je suis neuneu ;-) ).

En tout cas merci pour votre aide.

Didier

You might also like