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Kazakhstan travel guide
Endless steppe, alpine lakes and futuristic Astana.
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, stretching across Central Asia's steppe. Travelers explore leafy Almaty and the nearby Tian Shan mountains, canyons and lakes, plus the striking modern capital Astana.
Travel tools
Getting there
Almaty and Astana airports have direct flights to Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Land borders connect Kazakhstan with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and China.
Best time to visit: May–Jun and Sep – warm days and good mountain hiking.
Tougher months: November to February on the steppe and in Astana – bitterly cold winds and very short days.
Weather by month in Almaty
- 0°J●
- 2°F●
- 9°M●
- 18°A●●
- 23°M●●
- 28°J●
- 30°J●
- 30°A
- 25°S
- 17°O●
- 8°N●
- 2°D●
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Asia/Almaty, Asia/Aqtau, Asia/Aqtobe, Asia/Atyrau. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 85 of 198 other passports can enter Kazakhstan without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 113 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Kazakhstan (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-08-18). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Kazakhstan travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Kazakhstan are based around Almaty, Astana or Charyn Canyon. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$30–45 for a backpacker and US$80–140 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Kazakhstan page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +7.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Almaty (Southeast · largest city): Leafy boulevards, cafés and mountains on the doorstep make it the perfect travel base.
- Astana (North · capital): A showcase of ambitious modern architecture rising from the steppe.
- Charyn Canyon (Almaty region · canyon): Spectacular red-rock formations a few hours' drive from Almaty.
- Kolsai Lakes (Tian Shan · alpine lakes): A chain of clear lakes surrounded by spruce forest, good for hiking and horse riding.
- Turkestan (South · Silk Road city): Home to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and ancient Silk Road heritage.
- Altyn-Emel National Park (Southeast · desert park): Singing dunes, colourful Aktau mountains and wildlife like gazelles.
- Mangystau (West · desert): Surreal white cliffs, underground mosques and otherworldly landscapes near the Caspian.
- Burabay (North · lakes & forest): Granite hills, pine forests and lakes popular as a summer getaway from Astana.
Things to do
- Explore Charyn Canyon. Hike the Valley of Castles, a canyon of red rock towers often compared to the Grand Canyon.
- Swim at Kolsai and Kaindy lakes. Visit turquoise mountain lakes, including Kaindy with its eerie sunken forest of spruce trunks.
- Hike above Almaty. Ride up to Shymbulak or walk to Big Almaty Lake in the Tian Shan mountains.
- Marvel at Astana's architecture. See futuristic landmarks like the Bayterek Tower and the tent-shaped Khan Shatyr.
- Visit the Yasawi Mausoleum. Gaze at the giant Timurid tilework of Turkestan's UNESCO-listed shrine.
- Taste beshbarmak. Try the national dish of boiled meat and flat noodles, traditionally eaten by hand.
- Stay in a yurt. Spend a night with a nomadic family on the steppe or in the mountains.
- See an eagle hunter. Watch golden eagles fly at a falconry show or traditional festival.
Source: full Kazakhstan guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Beshbarmak – boiled meat on flat noodles, the national dish
- Plov – rice with meat and carrots
- Baursak – fried dough puffs served with tea
- Kumis – fermented mare's milk
Source: RoamSun Kazakhstan guide
Money and safety
Currency: Kazakhstani tenge (KZT). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: About 10% in restaurants if service is not included.
Emergency numbers: 112 general · 102 police · 101 fire · 103 ambulance.
- The currency is the tenge.
- Cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry cash for markets and rural areas; ATMs are common in towns.
- Kazakhstan is generally safe; watch for petty theft in crowded areas and at night.
- Use official taxis or apps rather than unmarked cars.
Source: RoamSun Kazakhstan facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Kazakhstan?
May–Jun and Sep – warm days and good mountain hiking. Continental, with hot summers and very cold winters, especially in the north.
What time zone is Kazakhstan in?
Kazakhstan uses Asia/Almaty, Asia/Aqtau, Asia/Aqtobe, Asia/Atyrau.
Do I need a visa for Kazakhstan?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 85 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 113 need an e-visa or eTA and 0 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Kazakhstan use?
Kazakhstan uses plug type C, F at 220 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Kazakhstan?
The international calling code for Kazakhstan is +7.
Do you tip in Kazakhstan?
About 10% in restaurants if service is not included.
What is the emergency number in Kazakhstan?
112 general · 102 police · 101 fire · 103 ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Kazakhstan?
Traffic drives on the right.