Common Questions

how to travel to Kazakhstan?

Arrival. Chose one way that best suits you:

airplane

train

bus

ferry

cycling

hitchhikking

1. The cheapest air-way to come from Germany (Berlin) to Almaty offers Airbaltic (through Riga) with price 450 Euro. As well as Air Astana (through Hannover). The earlier booking the tickets garantees the cheapest price.

1a. By plane through Kiev (Ukraine) - Astana or Almaty cities.

Ukrainian air-company: Aerosvit.

2b. By plane through Moscow (Russia) - Astana or Almaty cities.

Russian air-company: Transaero

2. By train through Kiev or Moscow - Karaganda city (direct trains).

Way #1: Germany -> Poland -> Ukraine -> Kazakhstan (Russia transit visa needed);

Way #2: Germany -> Poland -> Belorussia -> Russia -> Kazakhstan

There are inter-country trains that binds these countries.

3. By ferry through Caspean Sea.

Way: Germany -> Austria -> Hungary -> Romania -> Bulgaria -> Turkey -> Georgia -> Azerbaijan -> Kazakhstan

4. By bus through Ukraine or Moscow. The cheapest way.

Be prepeared to spend 4 nights in the bus and all rural areas across the countries.

5. Using bycicle through Ukraine or Russia (approved method - was realised several times);

6. Hitchhikking from Germany to Karaganda city (through Ukraine or Russia's highways/motorways) is possible (was many time approved by German travellers). Any of the ways are possible for hh. The most common one is following way: Germany -> Poland -> Ukraine -> Russia-> Kazakhstan

Visa

There is a possibility to apply for 1,3 or 6 month tourist visa in advance. See the website of Kazakh Embassy in Germany as an example:

botschaft-kasachstan.de

what to expect before arrival?

1. Better do not expect much, otherwise there could be a big dissapointment.

2. The sanitary conditions of life (in general), farms (mostly animal) in the country are far from EU standarts still.

3. The things like mould and fungus could be the easiest thing for a person to be able to stand.

4. Safety measures/appliances are not a rule but a flatter expulsion.

5. There are some rudiments and remains of soviet/comunistic time still:

5.1. Newcomers have to be registered within 5 days.

5.2. Train tickets could be bought only if person has valid registration/immigration card and passport. Otherwise train transportation across the country could not be possible.

6. It is not necessory but recommended for a traveller, in case, to have an international health insurance, and necessary medicines.