Kazakhstan — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Futuristic Astana, the steppe, and the mountains of Almaty”
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world — Astana (Nur-Sultan), a capital of futuristic architecture, Almaty, a big city beneath the mountains, turquoise lakes and canyons, paired with the steppe grasslands, a nomadic way of life, and Silk Road culture.
Kazakhstan at a glance
Choose a city in Kazakhstan
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Kazakhstan right for you?
Why people love Kazakhstan, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
A futuristic capital
Astana, with the Bayterek tower and cutting-edge architecture rising out of the steppe.
Almaty beneath the mountains
A green city under the Tian Shan range, with the Medeu skating rink and Shymbulak ski slopes.
Otherworldly nature
Kaindy Lake with its sunken trees, and Charyn Canyon, a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon.
Nomadic culture
A Silk Road heritage, a tradition of horsemanship, and Central Asian food.
Kazakhstan vs its neighbors
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $35–80 | $25–55 | $45–100 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Visa-free 30 days | Apply for a visa in advance | Visa required |
| Getting around cities | Almaty metro · Yandex taxi | Buses · local taxis | Metro · Yandex |
| English | Limited · Russian helps | Very limited | Limited outside big cities |
| Known for | Steppe · Almaty · futuristic architecture | Silk Road · Samarkand | History · Lake Baikal |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Explore the city of the future
See Astana (Nur-Sultan) and its futuristic architecture — the Baiterek tower, Expo City and Khan Shatyr — the fastest-growing city in Central Asia.
See this plan → 🏔️Almaty nature adventures
Ski at Shymbulak, raft Charyn Canyon, and visit Big Almaty Lake, in a city ringed by the Tian Shan mountains — beautiful in every season.
See this plan → 🌾A short stopover
Stop in Almaty for 2–3 nights between Europe–Asia connections — shop the Zeleny (Green) Bazaar and try Kazakh food at reasonable prices.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
2 ranked reviews
Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Almaty: Center, Esentai & Shymbulak (2026)
Read review →
Reviewed8 Best Astana Hotels — Bayterek Tower & Khan Shatyr (2026)
8 hotels · Read review →
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- 1🍖
Beshbarmak
Boiled horse or lamb with wide noodles — the national dish of Kazakhstan.
📍 Nationwide - 2🥟
Manti
Steamed dumplings with large chunks of meat — a Central Asian classic.
📍 Nationwide - 3🍢
Shashlik
Grilled skewered meat, popular across Central Asia.
📍 Nationwide - 4🥛
Kumis
Tangy fermented mare's milk, the traditional drink of the nomads.
📍 Nationwide
- 1🏔️
Almaty
A big city beneath the mountains, with the Medeu skating rink, Shymbulak skiing and the Green Bazaar.
📍 Almaty - 2🏙️
Astana
A futuristic capital with the Baiterek tower, a tent-shaped mall and a grand mosque.
📍 Astana - 3💧
Kaindy Lake
A turquoise lake with a submerged spruce forest — a surreal sight.
📍 Near Almaty - 4🏜️
Charyn Canyon
The red-rock Valley of Castles, like a miniature Grand Canyon.
📍 Near Almaty - 5⛷️
Shymbulak
Ski slopes and ice skating in the mountains, reached by cable car with great views.
📍 Almaty
🚆 Getting around Kazakhstan
Domestic flights
The country is vast — flying Almaty to Astana saves a lot of time.
Trains
Trains connect the big cities, with sleeper carriages for long distances.
Car hire / tours
Most people reach Charyn Canyon and the lakes from Almaty by tour or rental car.
Almaty metro
A city metro plus the Yandex ride app make getting around easy.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Kazakhstan
Muslim and secular
Mostly a relaxed form of Islam blended with Russian culture; dress modestly when entering mosques.
Kazakh and Russian
Kazakh and Russian are widely spoken and English is limited, so bring a translation app.
Visa
Thai travelers should check the latest visa and length-of-stay rules before they go.
Extreme weather
Bitterly cold in winter (especially Astana) and hot in summer — pack for the season.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / 2–3★ hotel $15–30
Eat at the Zeleny Bazaar and use Yandex Taxi, which is far cheaper than ordinary taxis.
Comfortable
🛏️ 4★ hotel in the center $35–65
Good Kazakh restaurants, plus a ski trip to Shymbulak that's inexpensive compared with Europe.
Premium
🛏️ International 5★ hotel $85+
Stay in a luxury hotel in Nur-Sultan near the Expo government district, with winter heli-ski tours.
🗓️ When to visit Kazakhstan
Spring
Apr – JunPleasant weather and green grasslands — a good time to travel.
Summer
Jul – SepWarm weather, ideal for the mountains, lakes and canyon.
Early autumn
Sep – OctLeaves turning color in the mountains, clear air and fewer people.
Winter
Dec – MarSkiing at Shymbulak and beautiful snow, but bitterly cold, especially in Astana.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Kazakhstan — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.4💼 Great for your trip★ 9.2👑 Great for your trip★ 9.2👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Kazakhstan?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Kazakhstan
Which city in Kazakhstan should I visit?+
Almaty (mountains, nature, lakes and canyon) is the best base, while Astana stands out for its futuristic capital architecture.
When is the best time to visit Kazakhstan?+
April to October has the best weather for the mountains and nature; winter suits skiing but is extremely cold.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
Check the latest visa and length-of-stay rules before you travel, as the requirements can change.
Tips before you go to Kazakhstan
- Check the latest visa and length-of-stay rules before you travel.
- Almaty is the best base for the mountains, lakes and canyon.
- Pack clothes for the season — the weather swings between hot and very cold.
- Download a Russian/Kazakh translation app, as English is limited.