Going to au Kazakhstan: Formalities and administrative steps
Organize your stay au Kazakhstan
Money au 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 au 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 au 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 au 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 au 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 au 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 au 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 au 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 au 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 au 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.
Daily life au Kazakhstan
Hello? au Kazakhstan
To call from Kazakhstan to France, dial +33 followed by your correspondent's number without the 0.
To call from France to Kazakhstan, dial +7 followed by your correspondent's area code (3 or 4 digits) or mobile code, then the 6 or 7-digit number.
At the airport,you can easily get a local chip and make your calls for much lower rates than all the "international options" offered by Western operators. Prepaid SIM cards in Kazakhstan start at €6 (with 3 to 5 GB of data depending on the operator) and are valid for 10 days. Prices are of course cheaper if you subscribe for 15 days or a month. While Internet data is pretty cheap, calls and SMS to Europe remain relatively expensive. So wait until you have a wifi connection (almost all hotels, cafés and restaurants in Almaty or Astana are equipped with one) to communicate with your loved ones back home.
To top up your SIM cards, simply visit your operator's store. They are often grouped together in convenient locations (TsUM, shopping malls, railway stations, bazaars, etc.) and credit is available immediately.
The most attractive operators for cell phone cards are Beeline (www.beeline.kz), KCell (www.kcell.kz) and Activ (www.activ.kz).
Accessibility au Kazakhstan
It will be very difficult for disabled people to get around in Kazakhstan. There are virtually no adapted structures, and no information services for the disabled. People with reduced mobility are therefore confining their visits to Astana and Almaty, where more modern museums are sometimes accredited. But getting around the city will remain a challenge.
If you have a physical or mental disability, or are going on vacation with someone in this situation, there are a number of organizations and associations that can help.
Health au Kazakhstan
Health conditions are quite good compared to the rest of Central Asia. Good, well-trained doctors are available for diagnosis, but they often lack the necessary equipment outside the major cities. A word of advice, then, if your stay is to take place in remote areas of the country: get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and typhoid, even if none of these vaccines is compulsory.
Tap water is undrinkable, so always buy bottled water, or carry filtered water with you wherever you go. And beware of ice cubes.
In the steppe, sun and heat are enemies not to be underestimated. Dehydration can happen very quickly! Bottled mineral water, however, is readily available, both sparkling and still, so try to drink regularly, especially in the evening and in the morning. Large gulps of water during the day are usually immediately evacuated by sweat and do not rehydrate the body. Alcohol, tea, coffee and tobacco increase dehydration, as they require a lot of water from the body to digest. If you're going off the beaten track, carry chlorine tablets or a water filter to purify the water you consume.
Depending on the season and type of trip, mosquito repellent may also be useful. Kazakhstan, like all the regions along the Silk Road, is no longer affected by malaria, but mosquitoes can still be a nuisance in humid or low-lying areas.
If you are undergoing long-term treatment or have used syringes, be sure to take the relevant prescriptions with you.
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.
Emergency numbers au Kazakhstan
These emergency numbers are valid throughout the country:
01 : fire department.
02 : police.
03 : emergencies - ambulances.
Securty au Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a relatively safe country, where you can travel with complete peace of mind as long as you follow the usual rules of caution (don't be too ostentatious, don't keep all your money in one place...). Beware, however, of tourist scams: although Central Asia is a welcoming country, beware of people inviting you to share a cup of tea or a meal in their home around tourist sites. You'll surely be charged after the "invitation".
In Almaty, after dark, and especially when leaving nightclubs or discos, prefer official cab companies (which you can order by calling them from your location) to private cabs.
The cities of Aktau and Atyrau, on the Caspian Sea, have the highest number of muggings. But there's no need to be paranoid. Here again, a few basic rules of caution will be enough to keep you out of trouble.
Approach the police with caution! As everywhere in Central Asia, and even if the situation is generally improving, routine checks leading straight to baksheesh are not uncommon. Always carry photocopies of your passport and visa, rather than the originals. Never let a policeman go through your wallet.
For the latest information on local security, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, and that this sometimes gives a rather alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
LGBTQ au Kazakhstan
Homosexuality is officially no longer a crime in Kazakhstan, but the law prohibits its promotion. This means that posters, magazines or establishments that claim to be too openly gay-friendly are condemned. In fact, discrimination is still rife. In Almaty, there are a few more or less clandestine gay bars, often harassed and closed by the police. Of course, we would advise you not to be too open about your sexual orientation during your trip. Heterosexual couples should also refrain from any overt displays.
Embassies and consulates au Kazakhstan
Generally speaking, embassies in Kazakhstan have moved to Nur-Sultan (Astana), while consulates have remained in Almaty. Before you leave, find out where the consulates of the countries you are interested in are located for your visas.
French Embassy and Consulate in Astana: 62, rue Kosmonavtov (4th floor) - +7 7172 795 100 - kz.ambafrance.org.
French Consulate General in Almaty: 77 Kunaev St. - +7 727 321 09 15.
Embassy of Belgium in Astana: 62a, Kosmonavtov street (13th floor) - +7 7172 974 485 - kazakhstan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en.
Belgian Consulate in Almaty: Avenue Dostyk 138/1 - +7 727 356 16 88.
Swiss Embassy in Astana: 62, Kosmonavtov Street (8th floor) - +7 717 297 98 92.
Swiss Consulate in Almaty: 20 Tabachno-Zavodskaya St. - +7 727 300 17 17
Canadian Embassy in Astana: 13/1 rue Kabanbay Batir - +7 7172 47 55 77 - www.international.gc.ca.
Mail au Kazakhstan
You'll find a post office in every major town for letters, parcels and express mail. In the villages, it will be more random.
www.post.kz
Stamps are fairly inexpensive, costing 850 KZT (approx. €1.6) to send a letter or postcard within Europe. You'll pay less if you buy electronic stamps via the dedicated website: eshop.kazpost.kz
Local media au Kazakhstan
The written and televised media are totally controlled by the government, which regularly takes back control in the event that certain journalists get a little carried away in the area of press freedom. The demonstrations that took place in the country in May 2016 were once again an opportunity to tighten the screws. Kazakh television has three national channels and one radio station, which broadcasts in Russian. Private channels and radio stations are numerous throughout the country, but closely monitored by the state.
It's easier to find out about the country via online media that publish freely in Europe.
www.novastan.org (independent press)
www.ifeac.fr (site of the Institut Français d'Études sur l'Asie Centrale).
