Central Asia & Caucasus

Is Kazakhstan safe?

Capital: Nur-SultanKazakh, RussianUpdated October 2026

L1Exercise normal precautions

Is Kazakhstan safe?

Generally safe for travelers in cities by day. Main issues are night-time drunken trouble, unlicensed taxis, petty theft and dangerous driving between cities.

Key facts

US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-08-17.
Homicide rate: 2.6 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
Road deaths: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
Emergency numbers: Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112.
Solo women: Usually fine alone; expect some unwanted attention, especially from drunk men at night. Use app taxis rather than street cabs.

Risks, scams and laws

Main risks

Drunken aggression around bars late at night
Fast, reckless driving on intercity highways
Sudden weather and avalanches in the Almaty mountains
Earthquake risk in Almaty

Common scams

Airport taxi drivers quoting several times the app fare

Laws visitors break by accident

Carry your passport; police document checks are common.
A 2025 law bans 'LGBT propaganda'; violations bring fines or short arrest.
Selling and importing vapes is banned; devices can be confiscated.

Safety by place in Kazakhstan

Place	Safety
Almaty	4/5 · Safe with normal care
Astana	4/5 · Safe with normal care

Quick answers

Is Kazakhstan safe for tourists?

Generally safe for travelers in cities by day. Main issues are night-time drunken trouble, unlicensed taxis, petty theft and dangerous driving between cities.

Is Kazakhstan safe for solo female travelers?

Usually fine alone; expect some unwanted attention, especially from drunk men at night. Use app taxis rather than street cabs.

What is the emergency number in Kazakhstan?

Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112.

Safety by place

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.