Kazakhstan

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 oil-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 three international airports: Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent, but you are likely to land in Almaty.

In terms of traveling overland, the easiest and most common entry points are Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Russia used to be easy before the war. As long as you have a visa for China or Turkmenistan, crossing there should be easy too.

Travel Insurance

For Kazakhstan, I recommend IATI Insurance: budget plans and covers adventure travel.

5% discount if booking here:

Best time to visit

Most of Kazakhstan has a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, but the country is big, so the time varies in each region.

May to October should be ideal for the cold north, as well as for trekking in the southeast.

The southern Kazakh steppe is best visited during spring and autumn.

Money

The official currency is Kazakhstani Tenge

1 USD = 450 KZT

You can find ATMs in cities but most of Kazakhstan is a cash economy, so do bring cash outside of Almaty and Astana.

Budget: starting at $25 a day for budget backpackers.


Travel on a Soviet train in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan text box category

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.


ALL MY ARTICLES ON KAZAKHSTAN