Karakol town is walkable — the Dungan Mosque, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the central bazaar are all within comfortable walking distance of each other and of most guesthouses. The Przhevalsky Museum and mausoleum is about 10 kilometres out toward the lake and requires a taxi or bicycle.
For day trips to Jeti-Oguz and the surrounding gorges, marshrutkas leave from the bazaar in the morning and can be flagged down on the main road. Shared taxis to Altyn-Arashan and trailheads for the Ala-Kul trek can be arranged through any guesthouse the evening before departure. Taxis within town are inexpensive and plentiful.