What awaits travelers in Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan combines the green metropolis of Almaty at the foot of the Tian Shan with the young, futuristically built capital Astana out on the steppe, with canyons, mountain lakes and nomadic culture in between. Swiss, German and Austrian nationals enter visa-free for up to 30 days; in addition, there is the electronic entry authorization QazETA, whose requirement should be checked before the trip.
Almost every trip begins in Almaty, the former capital and still the country's largest city: a good base for day trips to canyons and mountain lakes. Anyone with time can add a domestic flight to Astana, where Soviet nostalgia meets glass prestige buildings from the last 25 years.
This page summarizes regions, best time to visit, entry (as of September 2026), health, and the advisories from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Wikipedia
What is Kazakhstan like as a travel destination?
Kazakhstan is young in terms of tourism: independent travelers find good flight and road infrastructure around Almaty and Astana, but outside those areas, population quickly thins out and little is geared toward tourism. The country is multi-ethnic (Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Germans, Koreans and many other groups) and largely secular.
At 2.72 million km², Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country on Earth, yet inhabited by only around 20.6 million people — a density of about 7.5 people per km². Between Almaty in the southeast and Astana in the north lie around 970 km as the crow flies, almost entirely steppe in between.
Almaty (the capital until 1997) sits at around 800 m at the foot of the Zailiysky Alatau, an offshoot of the Tian Shan, overlooking seven-thousand-meter peaks such as Talgar. Astana was systematically built up as the new capital starting in 1997 and has since carried several names (Aqmola, Astana, Nur-Sultan, and again Astana since 2022).
Kazakh is the state language, while Russian remains equally present in everyday life, in government offices and in business; in the tourism-facing businesses of the two major cities, English is increasingly workable, but barely outside them.
Which regions of Kazakhstan are worthwhile?
Almaty and its surroundings form the tourist center: mountain lakes, canyons and ski areas lie one to three hours' drive away. Astana shows the country's other side, modern architecture in the middle of the steppe, complemented by the huge Saryarka nature reserve with salt lakes north of the city.
Almaty and the Tian Shan
Almaty sits at around 800 m, framed by mountains, with a milder climate than the rest of the country. Panfilov Park in the center is home to the wooden Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), built in 1907 without a single metal nail and surviving an earthquake in 1911.
The Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazar) shows the city's everyday trade in dried fruit, spices and meat stalls; the pedestrian Arbat Street and modern malls round out the picture. A cable car reaches the local mountain Kok-Tobe, with a panoramic view over the city to the mountains.
Mountain lakes and canyons around Almaty
Big Almaty Lake sits at around 2,500 m, a good hour's drive south of the city, glowing turquoise in front of the peaks of the Tian Shan; the access road usually requires a border-zone permit, since it passes through a restricted border area. The Kolsai Lakes, around 300 km to the east, are a chain of three mountain lakes in a conifer-forest valley, with the lowest one the easiest to reach.
Near the Kolsai Lakes lies Kaindy Lake, where dead spruce trees rise out of the turquoise water, formed after a landslide in 1911. Charyn Canyon, around 200 km east of Almaty, shows reddish rock formations stretching for several kilometers, resembling a miniature Grand Canyon.
For winter sports, Medeu, one of the highest-altitude artificial ice rinks in the world, and the ski resort Shymbulak lie only around 15 to 25 km outside the city, both reachable via a mountain road or gondola respectively.
Astana and the north
Astana lies on the open steppe on the Ishim River, with the Soviet-era old town on one bank and, on the other, the government and representation axis built up over the past roughly 25 years, with the 97-m-high observation tower Baiterek.
The Khan Shatyr is a 150-m-high, tent-shaped shopping and leisure center with an artificial sandy beach under its transparent membrane roof; the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, with room for 10,000 worshippers, is the largest mosque in Central Asia. The spherical Nur Alem Museum, built for Expo 2017, tells the history of energy across seven floors.
North of Astana lies the UNESCO Natural World Heritage site Saryarka, with steppe and salt lakes, habitat for migrating waterbirds and one of the last large populations of the saiga antelope; visits are best made via organized nature tours.
Sources: Wikipedia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre
When is the best time to visit Kazakhstan?
For Almaty and the mountains, May/June and September/October are ideal: mild, with highs around 18 to 25 °C and less rainfall than in spring. Astana has an extreme continental climate with very cold winters (January lows around −22 °C) and is most pleasant in high summer, when daytime highs reach 26 to 27 °C.
| Almaty | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 1 | 3 | 12 | 19 | 24 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 2 |
| Low °C | -7 | -6 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 13 | 6 | -1 | -6 |
| Rainfall mm | 22 | 29 | 46 | 79 | 68 | 50 | 34 | 28 | 24 | 38 | 39 | 27 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station ALMATY (7 km, 851 m), auf 800 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Almaty is hot in July and August, with highs around 30 to 32 °C, but drier than in spring: most rainfall comes in April and May (around 68 to 79 mm), which makes mountain hiking harder then. Winters are moderate for the region, with lows around −7 °C, and snow lies in the mountains until May.
| Astana | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -10 | -9 | -1 | 14 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 19 | 10 | -2 | -8 |
| Low °C | -22 | -21 | -12 | -1 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 4 | -2 | -11 | -18 |
| Rainfall mm | 20 | 20 | 27 | 29 | 35 | 41 | 55 | 28 | 21 | 33 | 34 | 27 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station ASTANA INTL (16 km, 355 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Astana shows a markedly sharper continental climate: from December to February, daytime highs are mostly below freezing, averaging −10 °C in January with lows around −22 °C, often accompanied by strong steppe winds. Summer is short but pleasantly warm, with highs up to 27 °C in July.
Anyone wanting to combine both is best off traveling in June or September: by then Astana is already warm enough, while Almaty hasn't yet hit peak summer heat.
Nauryz, the Central Asian spring festival marking the equinox, is celebrated every year from 21 to 23 March with yurt villages, horse games and traditional food, biggest in Almaty and Astana.
Sources: Wikipedia
What do you need to enter Kazakhstan?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 30 days; the passport must remain valid for at least 6 months at entry. In addition, there is the electronic entry authorization QazETA; whether it is mandatory for travelers from Switzerland, Germany and Austria is stated by the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA.
- Switzerland, Germany, Austria: visa-free up to 30 days; a visa from a Kazakh diplomatic mission is required for longer stays.
- QazETA: the electronic entry authorization is applied for via an app and concerns the roughly 50 countries whose nationals enter visa-free; check with the authorities before the trip whether it is mandatory.
- Travel documents: a passport, provisional passport or child's passport is accepted, but not a national ID card; valid for at least 6 months on entry.
- Other nationalities: subject to their own rules; the current visa list of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authoritative, with information available from Kazakh embassies and consulates.
The current information from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, the BMEIA and the Kazakh immigration authority at the time of travel is authoritative; the QazETA rules may change.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Central Asia (AHK)
What vaccinations and health precautions does Kazakhstan require?
No vaccination is mandatory for entry from Europe. healthytravel.ch and the Federal Foreign Office recommend hepatitis A for all travelers alongside routine vaccinations, plus typhoid, rabies and TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) depending on travel style; tuberculosis is relevant in the country, with more than 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Rabies is widespread among dogs, so pre-exposure vaccination makes sense for close animal contact or longer rural stays. Tick protection with repellents and covering clothing is important in forest and mountain regions such as around the Kolsai Lakes, where TBE occurs.
The Federal Foreign Office lists brucellosis (through contact with livestock or unpasteurized dairy products), rabies and, sporadically, Crimean-Congo fever (through tick bites) as risks. Raw or unpasteurized dairy products, such as kumis made from mare's milk of unknown origin, should therefore be avoided.
Medical care in Almaty and Astana is at a decent, partly private standard, but much sparser outside the two major cities. Travel and medical evacuation insurance is advisable, as there is no social security agreement with Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
How safe is Kazakhstan for travelers?
The security situation is nationwide stable, and the Federal Foreign Office assesses the terrorism risk as low; the current situation is available from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA. Travelers are advised to avoid large crowds and demonstrations and to follow instructions from the authorities.
Petty crime is rarely a major issue in Almaty and Astana, though general caution with valuables in busy areas remains sensible. Overland travel after dark should be avoided, only official taxis should be used, and a passport and vehicle papers should always be carried.
Kazakhstan lies in a seismically active zone; Almaty has historically been hit by earthquakes several times. In winter, temperatures often fall below −30 °C, especially on the steppe and in Astana, combined with strong wind — a real danger for driving and time spent outdoors.
Photographing military and strategic facilities is prohibited, and the import of vapes and nicotine products is strictly banned.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How do you travel to Kazakhstan and get around the country?
International flights mostly land in Almaty (ALA), which is the most densely connected to Western hubs, or in the capital Astana (NQZ). Around 970 km separate the two cities as the crow flies; a domestic flight takes a little over an hour, an overnight train around 16 to 20 hours.
| Route | Mode | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Almaty – Astana | flight | around 1 h 40 min |
| Almaty – Astana | overnight train | around 16–20 h |
| Almaty center – Big Almaty Lake | car | around 1–1.5 h |
| Almaty – Charyn Canyon | car | around 3 h |
| Almaty – Kolsai Lakes | car | around 4–4.5 h |
| Almaty center – Shymbulak ski resort | car/gondola | around 40–60 min |
Almaty has year-round nonstop connections from several European hubs, including Frankfurt and London, with carriers such as Air Astana and Lufthansa; plus nonstop flights from Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways) and Dubai (Flydubai). There are no nonstop connections from North America; travelers usually connect via the Middle East or European hubs.
Astana is served by Air Astana itself from several regional destinations, plus nonstop connections including from Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Warsaw (LOT); the number of long-haul connections is lower than to Almaty.
Within the country, Air Astana, FlyArystan and SCAT connect Almaty, Astana and other regional airports several times a day; long-distance buses and trains are considerably cheaper but correspondingly slower over the large distances. An international driving permit or a certified translation is needed to drive yourself.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
What money do you need in Kazakhstan and how do you pay?
The national currency is the tenge (₸, KZT). ATMs and card payment work widely in Almaty and Astana; outside the two major cities, it's advisable to carry cash in euros or US dollars and exchange it at bank counters.
Larger hotels, restaurants and shopping centers in Almaty and Astana consistently accept card payment, including contactless; bazaars and small vendors require cash. For more remote regions such as the Kolsai Lakes or overland excursions, the Federal Foreign Office recommends carrying sufficient cash.
Tipping is not mandatory; many city restaurants already include a service charge of around 10% in the bill; if not, round up or give 5 to 10%. Drivers and guides appreciate a small extra in cash.
Sources: Knecht Reisen AG · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Where is the best place to stay in Kazakhstan?
In Almaty, most hotels lie in the center near the pedestrian Arbat Street or in quieter, greener neighborhoods toward the mountains. In Astana, international hotel chains are concentrated along the government axis on the left bank of the Ishim, near Baiterek and Khan Shatyr.
Almaty offers the wider range: from simple hostels to mid-range hotels in Soviet-era buildings to international five-star properties. Anyone using the mountains as a base can also find smaller accommodations closer to Medeu and Shymbulak.
Astana is more geared toward business travelers and conferences, so modern international hotel chains dominate accordingly; the range of boutique accommodations is smaller than in Almaty. Near the Kolsai Lakes and Charyn Canyon, travelers usually stay in simple guesthouses or yurt camps.
What do you eat in Kazakhstan?
Kazakh cuisine is shaped by the nomadic steppe tradition: plenty of meat (lamb, horse, beef), pasta dishes and dairy products. The national dish is beshbarmak, meat cooked in broth served on wide noodles, alongside manti dumplings, plov adopted from Uzbekistan, and the fermented mare's milk drink kumis.
Botanically, Almaty is considered one of the original homelands of the cultivated apple: the wild apple Malus sieversii grows in the mountain forests around the city, whose name («father of apples») derives from it. The Green Bazaar offers dried fruit, nuts and honey from across the region.
Baursak, dough balls fried in oil, is part of breakfast and festive occasions, accompanied by plenty of black and green tea. Russian influence shows in soups like borscht and in a broad café and bakery culture in Almaty and Astana.
Tap water should not be drunk; bottled water is available everywhere. Hygiene in restaurants of the two major cities is at a good standard, while extra caution with raw dairy products is advisable in rural areas.
What culture and festivals shape Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan is a secular state with a majority Muslim population alongside a Russian Orthodox minority; the nomadic past still shapes hospitality, craft and festival culture today. The most important festival is Nauryz, the Central Asian New Year and spring festival on 21 to 23 March.
Yurts, the traditional felt tents of the steppe nomads, remain present at Nauryz and other festivals, as do equestrian games such as kokpar, in which two mounted teams compete over a goat carcass. Craftsmanship shows in felt rugs (syrmaq), silver jewelry, and eagle-hunting tradition in some regions.
The Silk Roads route across Kazakh territory (part of the UNESCO World Heritage «Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor») recalls the country's importance to historical caravan trade; the petroglyphs of Tamgaly, around 170 km northwest of Almaty, show rock art from the Bronze Age.
Modest dress is expected in mosques and Orthodox churches; shoes are removed when entering mosques. Independence Day on 16 December and Capital Day on 6 July are other important holidays, with celebrations centered mainly in Astana.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Which experiences are worthwhile in Kazakhstan?
Highlights include Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai Lakes around Almaty, the panoramic view from the Baiterek Tower over Astana's government axis, and the Medeu ice rink with the Shymbulak ski resort. Those staying longer can add a trip to Kaindy Lake with its sunken spruce forest or hikes in Ile-Alatau National Park right outside Almaty.
Almaty and surroundings
Ile-Alatau National Park begins right at the edge of Almaty and offers day hikes with views of seven-thousand-meter peaks; the cable car up Kok-Tobe combines a short panoramic trip with cafés and a small amusement park.
A day trip to Charyn Canyon or a two-day tour to the Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake can be organized from Almaty; for both destinations, a guided tour or a four-wheel-drive rental car is worthwhile, since the last few kilometers are often unpaved.
Astana
The Baiterek Tower offers a panoramic view over the government axis from 97 m up; at the Khan Shatyr, an artificial indoor beach under the tent membrane provides swimming fun even in winter. The spherical Nur Alem Museum from Expo 2017 tells the history of renewable energy across seven floors.
Sources: Wikipedia
How do you travel responsibly in Kazakhstan?
The mountain lakes and Charyn Canyon are ecologically sensitive areas; staying on trails and taking rubbish with you protects vegetation and the habitats of the snow leopard and saiga antelope in the Tian Shan and the Saryarka steppe. Local guesthouses and yurt camps in mountain villages bring income directly to the region.
- Stay on hiking trails in national parks such as Ile-Alatau, especially in areas with snow leopard populations.
- For excursions to the mountain lakes, book local guides and guesthouses rather than large-scale operators alone.
- Avoid single-use plastic, and refill drinking water from reusable bottles where possible.
- Keep the water scarcity of the steppe regions in mind and use water sparingly, especially outside the cities.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Which countries can Kazakhstan be combined with?
The most obvious choice is Uzbekistan, with the Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, reachable by flight from Almaty. Kyrgyzstan, with its capital Bishkek, is also just around 4 hours' drive from Almaty and combines well.
Several daily flight connections under two hours run from Almaty to Tashkent, making a combination with the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan an obvious choice. Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is reachable from Almaty by car or shared taxi via the Kordai border crossing in around 4 hours.
For Central Asia tours, Almaty often serves as the entry point, since it has the densest connections to Western hubs; from there, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan can also be combined into a multi-week route.
Who is Kazakhstan suited for, and who is it less suited for?
Kazakhstan suits travelers seeking mountains, steppe landscapes and less crowded destinations, plus those interested in Soviet and nomadic history. It is less suited for anyone who depends on well-developed tourist infrastructure, extensive beach options, or consistent English proficiency outside the two major cities.
Active travelers and mountain hikers benefit from the proximity of the Kolsai Lakes and Ile-Alatau National Park right outside Almaty; winter sports enthusiasts find a well-developed ski resort at Shymbulak, just an hour's drive from the center.
Anyone with little time or who depends on consistent tourist infrastructure is better off sticking with Almaty and nearby excursions; more remote regions such as the Saryarka steppe or cross-country drives require more planning and time buffer.