Kazakhstan: main airports
Kazakhstan, the largest landlocked country in the world, is served by several international airports: Almaty, the former capital and main economic hub, Astana, the futuristic capital, and Shymkent, the country's third airport, are the three main ones, as well as Karaganda, Atyrau, Aktau and Aktobe.
The country offers extremely varied landscapes: the Tian Shan mountains near Almaty, endless steppes and the Caspian desert towards Aktau.
Kazakhstan: recommended activities
Kazakhstan: visa and entry requirements
Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia can enter without a visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days per entry, with a maximum of 90 cumulative days over a 180-day period.
Registration of the stay is required within 3 working days of arrival (often handled directly by the hotel). Always check the updated requirements, as a new electronic authorisation system (QazETA) is being introduced.
Kazakhstan: safety
Kazakhstan is generally considered a safe country for visitors, with violent crime against tourists rare.
The usual precautions apply against theft and pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas. Always check your country's updated travel advisories, especially for border areas.
Kazakhstan: health situation
No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry from Europe or North America. Travel insurance is recommended, as the healthcare system outside major cities can have lower standards than European ones.
Winters are very harsh, especially in Astana, where temperatures can drop below -30°C: equip yourself accordingly if travelling between December and February.
Kazakhstan: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT). Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities, less so in rural areas, where it is advisable to have cash.
The official languages are Kazakh and Russian; English is spoken to a limited extent outside tourist and business circuits. A tip (5-10%) is appreciated but not always expected, often already included in the bill as a service charge.
Kazakhstan: travel guides
Atyrau: the city on the border between Europe and Asia
Karaganda: the coal mines of the Soviet gulag
Astana: futuristic architecture on the Kazakh steppe
Aqtöbe: the endless steppe of western Kazakhstan
Shymkent: the ancient oasis on the Silk Road
Aktau: the city on the Caspian Sea built on a salt hill
