Astana International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Astana Airport is about 12 km southeast of the centre, where the city meets the steppe; there's no train, and the transfer is by taxi, about 20-25 minutes for 2,000 tenge (5 euros), or by city buses 10 and 12. Most of the upscale hotels are concentrated along Nurzhol Boulevard, the monumental avenue linking the Baiterek Tower to the government institutions; those who want to stay closer to the airport, saving a few minutes of transfer, can look to the EXPO and Triumphal Arch district, just minutes by car from the terminal.

Nurzhol Boulevard and Baiterek

City centre · 8-14 km from the airport depending on the hotel, 20-25 minutes by taxi (around 2,000 tenge); no train, only city buses or taxis.

Best for: Business and institutional travel, with the city's luxury hotels just steps from the Baiterek Tower and the government district.

Pros

Baiterek, the Astana Opera and the Palace of Independence reachable on foot from the hotels in this zone
The capital's highest concentration of restaurants and nightspots

Cons

Traffic on Nurzhol Boulevard and Kabanbay Batyr Avenue gets worse during rush hour
The steppe's harsh winters still make a taxi necessary for evening journeys

Recommended hotels in this area

The Ritz-Carlton, Astana: Occupies the Talan Towers on Dostyk Street, about 300 metres from Nurzhol Boulevard and 600 metres from the Baiterek monument; 157 rooms, the Italian restaurant Mökki and a spa with pool.
The St. Regis Astana: On the banks of the Ishim River, inside Astana Central Park, about 15 minutes by car from Baiterek and the Astana Opera; 120 rooms with the St. Regis butler service.
Best Western Plus Astana Hotel: On Dostyk Street, opposite the House of Ministries and just steps from Nurzhol Boulevard and the Baiterek; a more affordable option than the luxury chains on the same street.

See more hotels in this area →

EXPO and Triumphal Arch

Neighbourhood · 9-10 km from the airport, about 15-20 minutes by car; the centre of Nurzhol Boulevard is a further 10 minutes away.

Best for: Those who want to stay closer to the terminal, in a modern district created for Expo 2017, without straying too far from the centre.

Pros

Closer to the airport than Nurzhol Boulevard, useful for early morning departures
Just steps from the Mega Silk Way shopping centre and the EXPO-2017 sphere

Cons

A district designed for fairs and exhibitions, less lively in the evening than the historic centre
A taxi is still needed to reach Baiterek and the government district

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Astana: Inside the EXPO-2017 complex, with the Mega Silk Way shopping centre next door and the AIFC Business Center 500 metres away; 253 rooms, an eforea spa of almost 1,900 sqm and the Cloud 9 rooftop bar.
Hampton By Hilton Astana Triumphal Arch: On Mangilik El Avenue, 500 metres from the Triumphal Arch and along the main road into the centre; hot breakfast included and gym open 24 hours.

See more hotels in this area →