Language
Kazakh, Russian
Kazakh and Russian are the two official languages of Kazakhstan. Of the two, Russian is the more useful language.
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Asia · Central AsiaOutline guideCountry in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Photo: Dmitry A. Mottl, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kazakhstan (Kazakh: Қазақстан Qazaqstan; Russian: Казахстан) is the largest of the states of the former Soviet Union apart from Russia, and it dwarfs the other countries of Central Asia and stretches into Eastern Europe. Kazakhstan is the richest country in the region due to its large oil and natural gas reserves and is also the largest in Central Asia. And while the endless, featureless steppe might repel some visitors the emptiness and mystery of this goliath state keeps many others captivated.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Kazakhstan.
Kazakh, Russian
Kazakh and Russian are the two official languages of Kazakhstan. Of the two, Russian is the more useful language.
The easiest option is to use an eSIM provider, as it will work immediately upon arrival, whilst being easy to pay for.
Bottled water is cheap and easily available.
In general, the level of health care and hygiene is not up to Western standards. When travelling to smaller places, it is a good idea to bring your own medical supplies. There may also be a shortage of medicines.
Kazakh people have more pride than most Westerners would expect. Therefore, insulting or negative comments about Kazakhstan or local Kazakh people will often result in arguments and possible threats of physical violence.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Astana (formerly known as Aqmola, Tselinograd and Nur-Sultan), in the north of Kazakhstan on the banks of the Esil river (better known by its Russian name Ishim), is the capital and the second largest city of the country. Modern Astana is a planned city, designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa.
Almaty is the largest city and the financial and cultural capital of Kazakhstan. Though short on grand sights, Almaty is relentlessly pleasant, with upmarket shops, bars, and cafes tucked among lush, tree-lined streets and esplanades, while the snow-capped Trans-Ili Alatau mountains to the south give the city a beautifully dramatic backdrop.
Aktobe (Kazakh: Aqtöbe) is a city in Kazakhstan's Central Highlands.
Atyrau is at the northern end of the Caspian sea in Kazakhstan.
Pavlodar is a city in northeastern Kazakhstan. It is the capital of the Pavlodar Province and has a population of 354,000 (2014).
Semey (Kazakh: Семей), formerly known as Semipalatinsk (Russian: Семипала́тинск, until 2007) and Alash-kala (Kazakh: Алаш-қала / Alaş-qala, 1917–1920), is a city in Kazakhstan with a population of around 300,000 people.
Shymkent (Kazakh: Шымкент) is a city in the Kazakh Desert, and is the third largest city in Kazakhstan.
Turkestan or Turkistan (Kazakh: Түркістан Türkistan) is a small but ancient city in the Kazakh Desert. There are many historical sights in this relatively well preserved, 1600-year-old city.
a nature reserve
site of the spaceport
Karkaraly National Park (Kazakh: Қарқаралы мемлекеттік ұлттық табиғи паркі) (Russian: Каркаралинский государственный национальный природный парк) is a protected reserve and national park in the Karaganda Oblast in the Central Highlands of Kazakhstan. The park headquarters are in the city of Karkaraly, 244 km east of Karaganda.
Places in Kazakhstan on the World Heritage List.
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
Listed 2003
Tamgaly
Listed 2004
Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan
Listed 2008
Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor
Listed 2014
Cold Winter Deserts of Turan
Listed 2023
Western Tian Shan
Listed 2016
Rock Mosques and Associated Sacred Sites of Mangystau
Listed 2026
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
This is the location of the former capital, with treks into Tian Shan, historic towns, and ancient petroglyphs.
These are the cold steppes home to the national capital, the country's Russian minority, and industrial cities.
The location of ancient desert cities dotting the Silk Road.
Includes remote and beautiful alpine scenery.
Includes Caspian beaches and oil industry, and where local tribal affiliations are still strong.
This is a land of endless and sparsely populated steppes.
Public transport and paid services in Kazakhstan.
By bus
In Semipalatinsk (Semey) a marshrutka costs 35 tenge, and a large bus costs 35-40 tenge. In Astana it ranges between 60-65 tenge.
By rail
Train is the most popular way of covering the huge distances between Kazakhstan's main cities.
By taxi
Use taxis as they are very cheap (€2-6 within the city). You don't have to use official taxis in most cities, basically you can stop almost any car on the street by raising your hand.
By plane
Air Astana provides offices in a few major hotels in big cities; it's the fastest way of travelling within the city for those who can afford it.
By car
Renting a car is rather costly compared to other means of transport.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Kazakhstan.
Finding apps for Kazakhstan…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Almaty · International · ALA
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Astana
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | -13° | -10° | -1° | 12° | 21° | 26° | 27° | 26° | 18° | 9° | -2° | -10° |
| Avg. low | -21° | -19° | -10° | 0° | 7° | 13° | 15° | 13° | 6° | -1° | -9° | -18° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 20 | 20 | 27 | 29 | 35 | 41 | 55 | 28 | 21 | 33 | 34 | 27 |
| Humidity | 97% | 97% | 91% | 66% | 56% | 54% | 55% | 53% | 56% | 68% | 86% | 95% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$110
Per person, per day
Luxury
$290
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $65 | $170 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $50 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our Travel Guidance for Kazakhstan to learn how to prepare for a safe trip. Kazakhstan regularly experiences flooding. Review our information on Weather and Natural Disasters in Kazakhstan.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Kazakhstan.
Travel tipsThis page aims to provide an overview of all the ferry services in the Caspian Sea between Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe usual overland route from Europe into China is the Trans-Siberian Railway, crossing Russia to Lake Baikal then continuing either via Mongolia or Dongbei (the former Manchuria) to Beijing.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) (Russian: Союз Советских Социалистических Республик (СССР)), or Soviet Union, emerged as the successor state to the Russian Empire in 1917, and was dissolved in 1991.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesFor modern-day trade in China, see Shopping in China The Silk Road (丝绸之路 sī chóu zhī lù), also known as the Silk Route, is not a single road, but a network of historical trade routes across Asia from China to Europe.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyIslam is one of the world's most important religions, second only to Christianity in number of adherents. Its followers are called Muslims and their houses of worship, mosques.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Mongols came to rule much of Asia and Europe during the 13th century, becoming the largest contiguous land empire ever, and second only to the British Empire in total land area.
Wikivoyage
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