Kazakhstan is a very strange country, really.
On the one hand, it is home to the most Westernized city in Asia, Almaty, whose inhabitants are very European-minded.
Moreover, it also has some of the most striking mountain scenery you will ever see, but it also has thousands and thousands of square miles of absolutely nothing but steppe.
And on the other hand, this gas-rich country is home to some of the weirdest places on Earth, like an old nuclear testing town, a drought sea, the Russian Cosmodrome, and an extremely vast steppe with the occasional 2-humped hairy camel.
Kazakhstan is an amazing off the beaten track destination which you cannot miss.
For all the practical information, read my 35 Travel tips for visiting Kazakhstan
need to know for traveling in Kazakhstan
Quick facts
Capital: Astana
Population: 18.3 million (62nd)
Languages: Kazakh (a Turkic language) but Russian is widely spoken.
Area: 2,724,900km² (9th largest country)
Visa
Most nationalities can get a free 30-day visa on arrival at any entry point.
Getting in
There are several international airports (Almaty, Astana, Aktau, Atyrau, and Shymkent), but you are likely to land in Almaty.
The easiest and most common land borders are Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. As long as you have a visa for China or Turkmenistan, crossing there should be easy too.
Travel Insurance
With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Kazakhstan.
Best time to visit
Most of Kazakhstan has a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, but the weather varies in each region.
June to September is good for the north and trekking.
The southern Kazakh steppe is best visited during spring and autumn.
Money
The official currency is Kazakhstani Tenge
1 USD = 480 KZT
Today, you can pay by card anywhere in Kazakhstan, except in villages and the cafés inside trains, so always have some cash with you.
Budget: starting at $35 a day for budget backpackers.
Travel on a Soviet train in Kazakhstan
One of the best things to do in Kazakhstan is traveling across the country and through the steppe on a Soviet train.
I personally traveled more than 3,000km, from Beyneu to Almaty.
Check my guide to travel by train in Kazakhstan
Top experiences in Kazakhstan
Travel in a Soviet train through the steppe
Epic multi-day journeys through remote Kazakh lands. Read: How to travel by train in Kazakhstan.
Discover the gorgeous mountains of southeastern Kazakhstan
Unbelievable scenery.
Hang out in Almaty
The most European city in Asia.
Visit the Aral Sea
The worst environmental disaster caused by men. Read (Guest Post): A guide to the Aral Sea.
Check our 4-week Kazakhstan itinerary
tips for Kazakhstan
Accommodation
There are hotels and hostels all across the country and you can find them on booking.com.
A useful book
Bradt has the only guidebook on Kazakhstan ever written.
Transportation
You can travel by train pretty much everywhere. In more remote places, a local shared taxi might be a more convenient option.