Getting around Kazakhstan
Asia
From Europe ✈️
Direct flight from Paris
No (1-2 stopovers)
Duration
9-13h with 1 stopover (Istanbul, Baku, Frankfurt)
Indicative round-trip price
400-780 EUR A/R
Book
1-3 months ahead
Recommended airlines
Local transport
Bus
Long-distance buses and marshrutkas (shared minibuses) link all the cities, very cheap.
Train
Extensive rail network (KTZ). Comfortable overnight trains Almaty-Astana (~13-18h) or the fast Talgo (~13h).
Taxi
Yandex Go partout en ville : simple, sans négociation. Éviter les taxis de rue qui surfacturent.
Metro
Une ligne de métro à Almaty, moderne et propre.
Essential apps
Common routes and indicative prices
| From | To | Mode | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almaty | Astana | Vol intérieur | 1h30 | 65-135 EUR |
| Almaty | Astana | Night train | 13-18h | 15-45 EUR |
| Almaty | Charyn (canyon) | Marshrutka / tour | 3-4h | 15-40 EUR |
| Almaty | Kolsai Lakes | Voiture / tour | 4-5h | 30-60 EUR |
Indicative prices for 2025-2026. Fares vary by season, demand and how far ahead you book.
Vehicle rental 🛵
Scooter / Motorbike
Rare, not advised (huge distances)
Car
30-60 EUR / day
Licence + international permit
International permit : Required or strongly recommended
Transport scams to know ⚠️
Taxi aéroport
Drivers on arrival in Almaty who triple the price.
Tip :Order via Yandex Go from the terminal.
Fake policeman
Fake check followed by a demand for 'baksheesh'.
Tip :Stay polite, ask to go to the police station, hand nothing over.
Rigged meter
Taxis de rue au compteur qui tourne trop vite.
Tip :Agree on the price beforehand or use an app.
Practical tips
- Book trains on the KTZ site or app in advance in high season.
- Yandex Go et inDrive rendent les taxis simples et honnêtes en ville.
- Domestic flights save precious time given the immense distances.
Other transport guides
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