Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, offers a captivating blend of ancient Silk Road heritage, Soviet-era architecture, and stunning natural landscapes from the Altai Mountains to the Caspian Sea. Experience nomadic traditions in Central Asia's economic powerhouse, where futuristic capital Astana meets historic Almaty at the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains.
- Public
- Almaty has a clean metro (9 stations), extensive bus network, and marshrutka minibuses. Astana has buses and BRT rapid transit. Public transport is cheap (from $0.17) and reliable in cities.
- Taxi
- Yandex Taxi is the dominant app-based ride service with transparent pricing. InDriver allows fare negotiation. Standard street taxis exist but should have prices agreed upfront.
- Rental
- Car rental is practical for visiting Charyn Canyon, mountain lakes, and rural areas. International brands at Almaty airport; local agencies cheaper but inspect vehicles carefully.
- Walking
- Almaty center around Dostyk-Panfilov area is walkable. Astana's Nurjol Boulevard is pleasant on foot. Hot summers and freezing winters limit comfortable walking periods.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Official Airport Taxi - 4,000 KZT ($8-10) fixed fare to center
- Shuttle
- Yandex Taxi/Uber - 2,500-3,000 KZT ($5-7) to center
- Bus
- Bus No.92 - 150 KZT ($0.30), 45 minutes to downtown
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Coverage
- Extensive bus networks in Almaty, Astana, and other major cities
- Cost
- 150-200 KZT ($0.30-0.40) per ride
- Payment
- Cash to conductor or contactless card in major cities
- Tips
- Buses can be crowded during rush hours. Routes displayed in Cyrillic. Google Maps works well for planning.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, marshrutka
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Official taxi
- Base fare 400 KZT + 100-150 KZT per km ($0.20-0.30/km)
- Ride hailing
- Yandex Taxi (most popular), Uber available in major cities
- Typical fares
- Short ride within city 800-1,500 KZT ($1.70-3), cross-city 2,000-4,000 KZT ($4-8)
- Tips
- Ride-hailing apps much cheaper than street taxis. Some taxis don't use meters - agree price beforehand.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Cost: Cheaper than trains - Almaty-Astana 5,000-7,000 KZT ($10-15)
- Network
- Comprehensive bus connections between cities
- Comfort
- Range from basic to luxury coaches with AC and reclining seats
- Stations
- Sairan terminal (Almaty), main bus stations in each city
- Tips
- Book tickets at station or through apps like AvtoBazar. Bring warm clothing as AC can be excessive.
Flights
Routes: Almaty-Astana (1.5 hours, $50-120), Almaty-Shymkent (1 hour, $40-80)
- Airlines
- Air Astana, SCAT Airlines, Qazaq Air
- Frequency
- Multiple daily flights on major routes
- Tips
- Book in advance for better prices. Much faster than train/bus for long distances.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Almaty International Airport
From centre: 15 km northeast of city center
Options: Official Airport Taxi - 4,000 KZT ($8-10) fixed fare to center; Yandex Taxi/Uber - 2,500-3,000 KZT ($5-7) to center; Bus No.92 - 150 KZT ($0.30), 45 minutes to downtown; Private transfer - 5,000-8,000 KZT ($10-17) pre-booked
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (Astana)
From centre: 14 km south of city center
Options: Airport Express Bus - 200 KZT ($0.40), 30 minutes; Taxi - 3,000-4,000 KZT ($6-8) to center; Yandex Taxi - 2,500-3,500 KZT ($5-7); Bus No.10, 12 - 150 KZT ($0.30), 40 minutes
Shymkent International Airport
From centre: 12 km from city center
Options: Taxi - 2,000-3,000 KZT ($4-6) to center; Yandex Taxi - 1,800-2,500 KZT ($4-5); Local bus - 100 KZT ($0.20), 35 minutes
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Yandex Taxi
Kazakhstan's most popular ride-hailing app, available in all major cities. Cheapest and safest taxi option.
InDriver
Ride-hailing app where you propose your own fare and drivers accept or counter-offer. Good for longer trips.
2GIS
Offline-capable map app with better local business and public transport data than Google Maps in Kazakhstan.
railways.kz
Official Kazakhstan Railways booking app for train tickets between cities. Essential for Almaty-Astana route.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Yandex Taxi before arriving — it's far safer and cheaper than hailing taxis; works in Almaty, Astana, and other major cities
Almaty metro only has one line but efficiently connects the main visitor corridor; buy a rechargeable Onay card to avoid buying individual tokens
For Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, and Big Almaty Lake, joining a shared minivan tour is much cheaper than hiring a private car
Train tickets between Almaty and Astana should be booked in advance on railways.kz — popular routes sell out, especially on Fridays and Sundays
Google Maps works well for public transport navigation in Almaty and Astana; 2GIS app is superior for finding local businesses
Night buses operate limited routes in Almaty — plan taxi for journeys after midnight
Car rental drivers must have an International Driving Permit; insurance coverage should be verified before signing contracts