Car troubles

If you're planning a road trip through Kyrgyzstan, be prepared for a few bumps in the road—literally. During my five weeks of cross-country driving, I had two flat tires—and honestly, that’s getting off easy.

Breakdowns, getting stuck, or taking wrong turns are almost guaranteed to happen at least once, especially if you’re venturing off the main tourist routes. That’s why it's essential to know the basics of car maintenance—how to change a tire, check fluids, or at the very least, when to ask for help. We didn’t know much at the start, and were incredibly lucky to come across kind strangers who helped us get back on the road.

🛢️ Fuel Tip: Petrol stations become very scarce outside the Issyk-Kul region and major towns. Before heading into remote areas, make sure your tank is full and carry a backup supply of fuel—we used an empty water bottle filled with gasoline, and it saved us more than once.

🧰 What to bring:

• A basic car repair kit

• Spare tire (check its condition!)

• Extra fuel

• Offline maps (like Maps.me or Gaia)

• A sense of humor and patience