Kazachstan

Kazakh and Russian are Kazakhstan's official languages, and Russian is understood almost everywhere. English is spoken at hotels and major sights in Astana and Almaty, but far less elsewhere.

Street signs, menus, and transport information are mostly written in Cyrillic script. Learning to recognize a few Cyrillic letters makes navigation, especially train and bus timetables, much easier.

Prepaid SIM cards are sold at official mobile operator stores in airports and cities; bring your passport, since registration is required. An eSIM from an international provider is a simpler option if you want to skip in-country registration.

Internet access is generally open, but the government has occasionally restricted social media and messaging apps during periods of political unrest. Installing a VPN app before arrival is a useful backup.

Tap water is not recommended for drinking in most of Kazakhstan; stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth in smaller towns. Pharmacies (apteka) are common in cities and stock most basic medicines, though English-speaking staff are rare outside Astana and Almaty.

No special vaccinations are required for entry, but make sure routine vaccinations are up to date before you travel. Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk for hikers in forested mountain areas between spring and autumn — a vaccination is worth considering if you plan extensive hiking.

Citizens of many countries, including the EU, UK, USA, and most of Central Asia, can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. Travelers from countries without visa-free access can apply for an e-visa online before arrival, or a standard visa through a Kazakh embassy or consulate.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Dress modestly when visiting mosques and mausoleums, such as the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in Turkestan — cover your shoulders and knees, and women may be asked to cover their hair. Remove your shoes before entering a mosque's prayer hall.

Kazakhs typically greet with a handshake between men, and a nod or light handshake between men and women depending on the setting. Ask before photographing people, especially in rural areas and at religious sites. Bargaining is expected at bazaars and souvenir stalls, but not in shops with marked prices.

Public holidays can close shops, banks, and government offices for a day or more, especially around Nauryz in March and Independence Day in December. Transport keeps running, though it can be busier than usual.

Most shops in cities open daily, including Sundays, though smaller stores in rural areas may close for a long lunch break.

• By train: Kazakhstan's rail network connects all major cities, including overnight sleeper trains between Astana and Almaty. Book ahead on KTZ e-ticket, especially around holidays.
• By air: Domestic flights link Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and Atyrau, and are worth the cost given Kazakhstan's size — a flight can save a full day of travel compared to the train.
• By bus: Inter-city coaches connect smaller towns and regional centers not served by rail, though journeys can be long and comfort varies.

Kazakh meals center on meat and dairy, reflecting the country's nomadic heritage. Breakfast is often simple — bread, dairy products, and tea with milk — while lunch and dinner are more substantial, built around lamb, beef, or horse meat. Beshbarmak, boiled meat served over wide noodles, is the national dish and the centerpiece of most celebrations.

Street food and snacks include baursak (fried dough) and samsa (a baked meat pastry), sold at markets and bus stations across the country. Traditional drinks include kumis (fermented mare's milk) and shubat (fermented camel milk), both widely available in summer.

Locals eat at family-run cafés and canteens as often as at restaurants, especially outside Astana and Almaty. Bazaars are also a reliable place to try regional specialties and fresh produce.

Kazakhstan's two biggest cities anchor most visits: Astana, the futuristic capital on the northern steppe, and Almaty, the former capital set against the Tian Shan mountains, with easy access to hiking and alpine lakes.

In the south, Shymkent is one of Kazakhstan's oldest cities, and Turkestan draws pilgrims and history lovers to the Yasawi Mausoleum. The mountains east of Almaty hold Kölsay Lakes National Park, a chain of alpine lakes popular with hikers.

Western Kazakhstan centers on Atyrau, an oil city split by the Ural River where Europe meets Asia, while Qyzylorda in the south is a gateway to the Baikonur Cosmodrome and the Aral Sea region.