Kazakhstan is one of those destinations that boasts of stunning landscapes, rich history, and unique experiences, yet not traveled much by tourists. The reasons for this could be long time travel, extreme weather conditions or concerns about safety. However, you will be surprised to know that Kazakhstan is an absolutely safe country and appeals to different people in different ways. To help explore this off-the-beaten-path destination, here’s everything you need to know about Kazakhstan travel, a central Asian gem.
Table of Contents
Overview Of Kazakhstan
Location: Right in the middle of Asia, sharing borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
Area: 2.7 million square kilometers and is the ninth-largest country in the world.
Capital: City of Astana, New name (Nur-Sultan)
Currency: KZT (Kazakhstani Tenge)
Languages: Kazakh is the state language and Russian is also widely spoken.
Population: Approximately 20 million as of 2025.
Religion: 70% Islam, 25% Christianity and 5% Others.
Economy: oil & gas production, agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
Terrain: Diverse landscape that includes hilly mountains, deserts, lakes and flat unfrosted grassland area.
Kazakhstan Travel Visa Requirements
Travelers from other countries need to obtain a visa to enter Kazakhstan. For countries like the US, Australia, Canada and many European countries, travelers can entre visa-free for up to 30 days. For Indian citizens there’s a visa-free entry for stays of up to 14 days. Anything over and above that needs to apply for a visa through a Kazakh embassy or consulate.
Documents required for applying for a Kazakhstan travel visa are Passport with six months of validity, to and fro air tickets and hotel reservation details. Generally visa processing takes about 3-5 working days. It is always advisable to check for the latest visa requirements before applying for a Kazakhstan tourist visa.
Best Times To Visit
Kazakhstan experiences a continental climate with very hot summers and very cold winters. Temperature in summer can go above 40°C and drop drastically to -40°C during the winters. Keeping these factors in mind the best time for a Kazakhstan travel would be the spring month between April to June and autumn months between September to November. Weather in Kazakhstan during this time is milder, making it ideal for sightseeing and exploring the mountains and lakes. For winter sports enthusiasts the winter months between December to March is the perfect time.
Getting Around Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a huge country, so to cover large distances there are some great transportation options you can use.
Domestic Flights: The national carrier Air Astana offers reliable domestic connections between major cities throughout the country. This is the fastest and easiest way of moving from one place to another.
Trains: Kazakhstan has an extensive rail network which is comfortable and at the same time affordable. There are the Talgo high-speed trains that connect Nur Sultan and Almaty. Book your tickets in advance as they tend to get sold out soon.
Buses: This is an affordable option that connects most of the towns and cities.
Car Rental: In major cities, consider hiring a car rental service for more flexibility in exploration. You can also rent a car and drive yourself if you can handle the rough and chaotic traffic.
Key Places To Visit During Your Kazakhstan Travel
Since Kazakhstan is a huge place it offers a diverse range of attractions. We have picked a few cities, historic sites and natural landscapes for you to explore.
Almaty – Almaty is a great way to start your Kazakhstan trip as it is the largest city and the former capital of Kazakhstan. This city offers a mix of natural and modern attractions to its visitors.
Astana – Kazakhstan’s current capital Astana is known for its ultra-modern buildings designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster. The city’s skyline stands out from the other places because of its futuristic designs.
Shymkent – Kazakhstan’s third-largest city which was once a thriving stop on the Silk Road is today a hub of industry, commerce, and culture. This city offers plenty of opportunities to experience the local traditions and its rich cultural tapestry.
Turkistan – Turkistan is a small but ancient city full of historic sites. Major pilgrimage sites such as the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Rabia Sultan Begim and Esim Khan are located here. Hence Turkistan attracts a lot of pilgrims.
Charyn Canyon – The 12 million years old Charyn Canyon is a popular stop for nature lovers. The 150 km long canyon, which is one of the largest in the world, has spectacular rock formations and multi-colored cliffs with unique shapes.
Baikonur Cosmodrome – Space enthusiasts should not miss the world’s largest operational space launch site. If lucky you can get to see a live rocket launch, else be satisfied exploring the space museum. Either way there is a lot to learn about space launches from this site.
Kolsai Lakes – Kazakhstan’s most stunning natural reserves have alpine lakes surrounded by pine forests and mountain peaks. These lakes are often called the “Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan” due to its pristine landscape.
Book Now: Private Day Tour To The Land of Canyons-UNESCO-of Kazakhstan
10 Travel Tips For A Safe Travel
- It is advisable to carry some cash as credit cards may not be accepted in rural areas and smaller towns.
- Foreign visitors need to register with migration police if the stay exceeds five days.
- Plan in advance as getting around this huge country can be very challenging.
- Keep your Embassy contact number handy to use in case of emergency.
- When visiting religious sites make sure to dress appropriately and avoid behavior that are considered inappropriate.
- Because of diverse landscapes the weather in Kazakhstan experiences extreme temperature variations. Make sure to pack appropriately.
- Purchase travel insurance to cover all travel-related risks.
- Be respectful of local customs/traditions and abstain from consuming alcohol in public areas.
- Learn some basic Kazakh phrases as English is not commonly used outside of major cities.
- Purchase a local SIM card upon arrival to stay connected throughout the trip.
What To Eat In Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s cuisine is quite unique and delicious because of the influences of neighboring countries like Russia, China, and Turkey. Some of the most popular dishes to try while visiting the country are Beshbarmak, Kazy, Plov, Baursak, Kürtöskalács, Kazy lagman, Shashlik and Kazakh tea. These are just a few of the many dishes that Kazakhstan has to offer.
Suggested Reads: How To Dress When Visiting Central Asia And The “Stan” Countries
Conclusion
Kazakhstan tourism is experiencing a significant growth in the past few years. If you are planning a trip to Kazakhstan, this essential guide with all the information provided will make sure that you will enjoy this fascinating destination to its fullest. If there is something more that we need to know about Kazakhstan travel, do share in the comment box below.
FAQs
Kazakhstan is generally safe for solo and female travelers. Cities such as Almaty and Astana relatively have a low crime rate. However it is advisable to be cautious of your surroundings as petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur in crowded places.
Yes, it is easy to find vegetarian and halal food in Kazakhstan. Since this country is dominated by the Muslim population, almost everything here is halal certified.
Kazakhstan’s temperature keeps varying, hence pack clothes that are suitable for both hot and cold temperatures.
