Capital city, Kazakhstan
Astana
Kazakhstan's planned capital has striking architecture, big malls and a clean, orderly feel. Winters are brutally cold and the city is quiet and spread out; best for a short stop.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,240–2,030Comfortable, one person · ₸550,000–900,000Details
- Value for money38/100Better value than 37% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Jul, 27°CDetails
- Air quality60 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · Severely pollutedDetails
- Internet88 MbpsFixed broadband, Kazakhstan medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTreated but most locals filter or buy bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$23–56Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundYandex GoWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and Apple Pay work widely in shops and restaurants.Details
Where to stay in Astana
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Left Bank (Esil district) | Landmarks, malls, Expo area, newer apartments |
| Right Bank (Saryarka) | Older city, cheaper food, more local life |
| Nurzhol Boulevard area | Walkable center with Bayterek and EXPO |
Apps that work in Astana
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wolt | Wide restaurant choice |
| Glovo | Restaurants and groceries |
| Yandex Eats | Cheap everyday meals |
- Maps: 2GIS
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Kaspi.kz: QR payments and tickets; needs a local account
- Onay: Almaty bus and metro fares
- Taxis: Use apps instead of street taxis. Fares jump in snow and bitter cold; agree a price first if using a cab.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Kazakhstan.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and Apple Pay work widely in shops and restaurants. Keep some tenge for markets and small stalls.
- Currency: Tenge (KZT). US$1 ≈ ₸444.08 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs in cities generally take Visa and Mastercard; fees and limits vary by bank, so check the screen.
- Tipping: Many restaurants add a 10–15% service charge; otherwise round up or leave about 10%. App taxis need no tip.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay with foreign cards work at most terminals; Kaspi QR requires a Kazakh bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities are visa-free; others apply for an e-visa on the official vmp.gov.kz portal.
- Visa-free arrivals are usually registered automatically at entry; hotels report your stay, and private hosts should notify migration police.
- Visa-free stays generally follow a 90-in-180-day rule; count days carefully if you do border runs.
Emergency numbers
Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Beeline, Kcell/Activ and Tele2/Altel sell SIMs with a passport at their shops; a month of generous data costs a few thousand tenge. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Kazakhstan
Going to Astana solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.