Organize your stay Kazakhstan
Money Kazakhstan
The national currency is the tenge, which is divided into 100 tiyin. The tenge belatedly replaced the rouble two years after independence, in November 1993, by which time all the other former Soviet socialist republics had already created their own national currencies. Kazakh currency is symbolized by a T on labels, and its international banking code is KZT (the code we have used to indicate prices in this guide).
There are denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 KZT. There are very few 100-denomination notes in circulation these days. Coins issued in Kazakhstan are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 KZT and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 tiyin. Once again, these micro-coins have virtually disappeared from circulation.
In October 2024, exchange rates for tenge were as follows:
1 € = 527 KZT
1 CAD = 352 KZT
1 CHF = 561 KZT
1 USD = 486 KZT
Budget & Tips Kazakhstan
As for hotels, Astana and Almaty, and to a lesser extent Aktau, are the most expensive cities in the country. Your accommodation budget will hardly fall below 10,000 KZT per person (approx. €18), and that's only if you choose hotels close to train stations. Mid-range hotels charge around 25,000 KZT for a standard double room, but this can rise rapidly in high season or if the city is hosting a special event. For luxury, expect to pay in excess of 60,000 KZT. Most Kazakh hotels can now be found on www.booking.fr, where you're sure to find a good deal.
Dining out in these two cities is also more expensive than elsewhere, especially if you indulge in the upscale pubs and restaurants offering Western cuisine, where prices start from 8 or 9,000 KZT per person (excluding drinks). On the other hand, it's always possible to find smaller, more popular restaurants or gargotes, where prices start at around 5,000 KZT.
In the rest of the country, accommodation will remain your main expense. Even the old Soviet hotels, long the lifeline of budget travellers in Central Asia, are beginning to charge higher rates as they are renovated. Bear in mind that Kazakhstan has, as a rule, more rooms than tourists, so negotiate as much as possible and visit the rooms before committing yourself.
Don't forget to budget for transportation. Trains and buses are still relatively inexpensive ways of getting around, but for a country where distances are long, you'll need to make sure you take enough time if you don't want to discover Kazakhstan through the carriage windows! To speed things up, internal flights or shared cabs are good solutions, but obviously more expensive. In short, the shorter your trip, the higher the transport budget you'll need, unless you only want to visit a particular part of the country. The transportation budget also means getting off the beaten track. If you want to see remote parts of the country, you'll often need a 4x4, which will cost you between €100 and €120 per day, depending on the vehicle, agency, mileage and length of rental.
To cover longer distances for less, spend your nights on the trains. You'll save on hotel nights, while coming into direct contact with the local population. Of course, you'll have to sacrifice comfort..
Passport and visas Kazakhstan
French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals are among those exempt from visa requirements for stays of less than 30 days. In all other cases, a visa issued by the Kazakhstan consulate is required. Registration procedures are no longer compulsory. However, be sure to keep the Migration Card you receive on arrival at the airport. The number of entries is unlimited, but you may not spend more than 90 cumulative days in the country, even non-consecutive, within a 180-day calendar period.
The visa can be obtained from the Kazakhstan consulate in your country within 8 to 10 days, or much more quickly on the Internet in electronic format. Visit the website: www.vmp.gov.kz/en
Driver's license Kazakhstan
BothFrench and internationaldriving licenses are recognized in Kazakhstan. Be sure to present both in the event of a police check. If you forget to bring your international driving license with you, or if you lose it, have your French license translated by a sworn translator (notary).
Car rental companies are available in both Almaty and Astana, at the airport and in town. Be aware, however, that the highway code is not followed to the letter by local drivers, or is interpreted very locally. What's more, police checks are numerous and effective (on-board cameras), and speed cameras abound in town at red lights and crosswalks. In any case, be careful on the road and always check the condition of your vehicle before setting off (tires, air conditioning, fluid levels, etc.). To get from one town to the next, a conventional car will suffice. If you're planning to go deep into the steppe or the Altai Mountains, the 4x4 option is a must.
Health Kazakhstan
For hikers, or simply if you're going off the beaten track, be sure to pack a first-aid kit containing the bare essentials:
Disinfectant, sterile compresses and bandagesfor minor physical injuries, or "double skin" bandages if you're planning long walks in the wilderness.
Aspirin.
Gastric dressings and anti-diarrhoea treatment, as well as an intestinal disinfectant.
An antihistamine for insect bites.
Broad-spectrumantibiotics.
Sunscreen for the desert and mountains.
Biafine®-typecream for burns.
Mosquito repellent.
Moisturizing lipstick , useful in the mountains and desert.
Condoms.
Tweezers.
Tick remover.
Plastic bags in case you get sick in transit.
Asa general rule, for long-distance travel, solid medications (pills or capsules) are preferable to liquid mixtures that are sensitive to heat and can harbor bacteria.
If you are undergoing long-term treatment or have used syringes, be sure to take the relevant prescriptions with you.
Mandatory vaccination Kazakhstan
No vaccinations are required to enter Kazakhstan. But if you're visiting remote areas of the country, make sure you're up to date with the following vaccinations: hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and typhoid. Tick-borne encephalitis is present in the north-west of the country, and a vaccination is recommended if you plan to hike in the Altai Mountains. Last but not least, a rabies vaccine may prove useful for extended stays off the beaten track.
Time difference Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan spans no less than four time zones (GMT+3 to GMT+6). However, since a decree issued in March 2024, the time is always the same throughout the country: GMT+5, i.e. 3 or 4 hours ahead of Paris, depending on whether France is on summer or winter time. Kazakhstan's time does not change with the seasons.
Spoken languages Kazakhstan
Two languages coexist in Kazakhstan: Russian and Kazakh. The official language is Kazakh, while Russian has the status of a state language, still widely used in the administration and among the population.
Electricity and measurements Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan uses the metric system and electricity runs on 220 V. So you won't need an adapter during your trip to plug in your electrical and electronic appliances. The only thing that may be lacking in some establishments is a ground connection.
Luggage Kazakhstan
In summer, pack light clothes. Summers can be very stifling, both on the steppe and in the cities. However, always carry something to cover your shoulders and arms (and a headscarf for women) when visiting mosques or pilgrimage sites. In the north and in the big cities, where there is a large Russian community, lighter clothing is more common, but don't expect to be walking around in shorts and a tank top during your trip.
In spring and autumn, a light raincoat, K-way® style, and a sweater for cooler evenings will come in handy. Particularly in the steppe, where daytime and night-time temperature variations can be considerable.
In winter, temperatures drop very quickly, and snow is not uncommon. Good, warm footwear with thick, insulating soles, a warm jacket and gloves will come in handy.
Accessories not to be forgotten: a good pair of sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to provide shade on the steppe. Swiss Army knife, alarm clock, sewing kit, high-protection sun cream, sunglasses, small pharmacy, periodical tampons, condoms to NF standards. A flashlight and spare batteries, as well as candles, will be particularly useful in the event of power cuts or when visiting dimly-lit sites (minarets, underground mosques, etc.). For long bus or train journeys across the steppe, a simple washcloth that you can soak in water will make the heat more bearable in summer. Last but not least, since you'll be visiting some majestic landscapes, don't forget to bring along your binoculars. They'll be particularly useful for observing birds and animals in nature reserves.
A mosquito net can be a real plus if you're traveling in the north and center of the country. Many hotels have windows equipped with them, but this is not generally the case, and mosquitoes are a real ordeal in Karaganda or Kyzyl Orda.
A bathing suit, and why not? Especially if you frequent the beaches of the Caspian or the luxury hotels with their swimming pools.
