Kazakhstan

Our travel guide to Almaty, Kazakhstan's cultural hub and gateway city: top sights, where to stay, and where to eat.

How to go from Almaty to Almaty Airport and back, by taxi, bus, private transfer or Yandex, with costs, times and how early to leave.

A self-guided tour of Almaty's most beautiful metro stations, plus fares, hours and a quirky bit of Soviet history.

What to eat in Kazakhstan, from beshbarmak to kumis, plus where to eat, vegetarian options and what to take home with you.

What an overnight train in Kazakhstan is really like, Soviet-era vs Talgo, what class to book, and whether it's actually worth it.

Trains in Kazakhstan: how to book tickets, classes explained, sample routes and prices, and what to expect on board.

All the details of how to travel from Almaty to Bishkek - bus timetables, distances, costs and alternatives to Almaty to Bishkek.

ATM fees Kazakhstan: ATM withdrawal fees, cash vs cards, and how to pay in Kazakhstan Plus all about the currency, the tenge

How to go from Shymkent to Tashkent, crossing the Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan border, with visas, transport and current crossing status.

A 10-day Kazakhstan itinerary covering Almaty, Astana, Shymkent and Turkestan, with where to stay, eat and how to get between them.

Our travel guide to Shymkent, Kazakhstan's oldest city and the natural gateway to Turkestan - top sights, where to stay, and where to eat.

How to get from Shymkent to Turkestan by marshrutka, Yandex, train or private transfer, with prices, timings and booking tips.

Our travel guide to Turkestan, home to the UNESCO-listed Yasawi Mausoleum - what to see, where to stay, and how to visit from Shymkent.

How to go from Almaty to Astana by flight or overnight train, with times, costs, booking tips, and which one actually suits your trip.

Our guide to the best day trips from Almaty, Kazakhstan - Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Ile-Alatau, Big Almaty Lake and Altyn Emel.

How to go from Almaty to Shymkent by train, flight, bus or private transfer, with times, costs and which one actually suits your trip.

How to visit Charyn Canyon: getting there from Almaty, entry fees, the Valley of Castles hike, where to stay and eat, and tips.

Our travel guide to Astana, Kazakhstan's futuristic capital: top sights, where to stay, and where to eat and drink.

How to visit Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes: getting there from Almaty, what to see, costs, and travel tips for both.

How to go from Astana to Shymkent by overnight train or flight, with journey times, costs, and which one suits your trip.

How to visit Big Almaty Lake from Almaty: tour, Yandex and hiking options, entry costs, and what to actually expect once you're there.

Getting around Kazakhstan: flights, trains, marshrutkas, taxis, and rental cars, plus how to book each and get around Almaty.

We did the Charyn Canyon Kolsai Kaindy 1-day trip from Almaty. Honest costs, itinerary, other traveler reviews, and our verdict on it.

Best SIM card for Kazakhstan: Beeline vs Kcell vs Tele2, IMEI registration rules, prices, and eSIM vs local SIM, which is best.

Need a power adapter for Kazakhstan? Here's the plug type, voltage and best travel adapter, so all your devices charge without fuss.