Kazakhstan

Far from the mega cities and popular destinations of East Asia, Kazakhstan is a hidden gem with a beautiful mix of ancient nomadic culture, hyper modern architecture, and stunning nature that is some of the best in the world.

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Kazakhstan Travel Info

Language

The official languages of Kazakhstan are Kazakh and Russia. Kazakh is a Turkic language related to many languages in the central Asia region. Russian is widely spoken and understood due to Kazakhstan being a former Soviet state. English is increasingly spoken, especially in large cities like Almaty and Astana, but in limited amounts. Recently the Kazakh government has moved to improve education in all three languages.

Demographics

Like most of Central Asia, the Kazakh people are a traditionally nomadic group of Turkic origin. Making up nearly 70% of the population, there are sizable minority groups of most other Turkic groups such as Uzbeks and Uyghurs, with the largest minority being Russians. The country is the 9th largest in the world, but is also one of the least densely populated regions. With 20 million people, nearly 10% live in the largest city of Almaty, while 5% live in the the capital Astana. The country is characterized by large mountains in the south, sweeping steppes in the center, and dry lowlands in the north and west.

Weather

Kazakhstan is arid with a highly variable climate. Winters are brutally cold, ranging from -10 to -20 degrees, while summers are warm with highs around 28. The country is very dry, with only a few showers each month. Its open plains make it quite windy, though this is less noticeable in cities and mountain areas. Due to its large size, traveling north brings colder temperatures as you approach the Russian tundra. This makes the capital city of Astana the second coldest in the world, next only to Ulaanbaatar in neighboring Mongolia.

Public Transit

Kazakhstan’s sparse population means public transit is limited. Almaty, the largest city, has one subway line known for its beautiful stations and reliable service, with stops in most major areas. The capital Astana is over 1,000km away, making driving a full-day trip. While overnight trains exist, flying is the fastest and easiest way between major cities. Yandex Go is the primary ride hailing app, with wide coverage and good rates. Solo driving to nature spots like the mountains or Charyn canyon is not recommended due to road quality and distance, so hiring a driver or booking a guided tour is best.

Kazakhstan FAQ

Kazakhstan is the most developed country in central Asia, which also means it has the highest cost of living. That being said, it is still a very affordable destination for most travelers. The largest cost is usually finding a way to get there. We recommend flying into Almaty first, as it is the largest city with the most to do, and can be used as a jumping off point for relatively inexpensive day trips to nature designations.

Kazakhstan is a very safe country. Usually, westerners hear “stan” and see the proximity to Russia and assume it’s very unsafe, but that is far from the truth. Ranking 59th on the Global Peace Index, Kazakhstan is one of the safest and most peaceful countries in all of Central, East, and Southeast Asia. With low terrorism risk, low militarization and low rates of violent crimes, Kazakhstan is a safe destination for all travelers, including solo travelers.

Yes, Kazakhstan has moderate English ability. However, the majority of people do not speak English fluently. In populated areas or tourist destinations English is much more likely to be spoken. In rural areas, there is likely little to no English comprehension, although Kazakh people are known for kindness and are willing to work with tourists.

Kazakhstan is not a large tourist destinations, so crowds are never a concern. However, due to the extremely cold winters, we recommend visiting in late spring or autumn for the most comfortable experience. We visited in winter, and especially Astana can feel absolutely bone chilling. That being said, the country is quite beautiful all year, with stunning nature destinations and accommodating cities.

The most popular destination in Kazakhstan is Almaty. It is by far the largest city, with many things to do including amusement parks, a ski resort, arboretums, shopping districts and more. This is also the main city for day trips, as it is the closest city to the mountains in the south, and canyons in the east. The capital city of Astana is often called “the Dubai of Central Asia” was established as the capital at the turn of the century. Astana features very modern architecture, unique shopping, and amazing religious sites including the largest mosque in Central Asia.

Unlike the rest of Central Asia, payment in Kazakhstan is relatively straight forward. Most establishments in the large cities accept most cards, including public transportation. Currency exchange at the airport is easily. If you have a connecting flight to another country like Uzbekistan, the Almaty airport can be a great place to exchange to Kazakh tenge, as other Central Asian countries are unlikely to accept currencies from western countries.

Travel Diaries

BEAUTIFUL Kazakhstan Day Trip! | Lake Kaindy, Charyn Canyon
Is This Really Kazakhstan?
ASTANA: Kazakhstan's Futuristic Capital