Arriving in Astana: a first day without surprises
Astana’s airport lies south of the city: the main hotels are 9.3 to 19.6 km away by road, 15–25 minutes without traffic. International flights arrive at Terminal 1, domestic ones at Terminal 2, and people meeting you wait in the arrivals hall.
Everything is paid in tenge. Entry and registration rules depend on your citizenship and change over time, so below we do not retell them — we point to the primary sources to check before you fly.
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At the airport
International flights arrive at Terminal 1, domestic ones at Terminal 2. People meeting you wait in the arrivals hall: a transfer driver stands with a name sign, so there is no car park to search. More about the meeting.
If you take a car on the spot rather than booking ahead, agree the price before you set off: at the desk or by the door you may be quoted above the usual rate, and arguing afterwards gets you nowhere.
Where to check entry and registration rules
We are not lawyers and do not retell migration rules: they depend on citizenship, purpose and length of stay, and they change. These are the primary sources to check.
Ministry of Internal Affairs
The ministry responsible for migration rules: visas, permitted stay, registration.
eQonaq
The arrival-notification system: hotels and hosts submit guests’ details through it.
eGov.kz
The public-services portal, including how to obtain an IIN if you need one.
If you stay in a hotel, it files the arrival notification for you. With friends or in a rented flat, the host does it — ask in advance so it does not surface on your last day.
Money and connectivity
- The currency is the tenge (KZT). Cards are widely accepted, but a little cash is handy at markets and for small purchases.
- A transfer is paid online by card — cards issued in 79 countries work — or in cash to the driver or against an invoice for companies.
- SIM cards are sold on presentation of a passport, including at the airport. Some services may require an IIN — eGov.kz explains how to get one.
How the city is laid out
Astana is split by the Yesil river. The left bank is the new centre: Baiterek, the ministries, EXPO and most upscale hotels; the right bank is the old city with the Astana-1 railway station and the bus station. The airport is to the south: 9.3 km to the nearest hotels and 19.6 km to the farthest. Distances to each hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Kazakhstan?
It depends on your citizenship: Kazakhstan has visa-free arrangements with many countries, but permitted stays differ. The current rules are published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs — check there before buying tickets, not on forums.
Do I need to register after arrival?
The arrival notification is filed by your host: a hotel does it through the eQonaq system. If you stay with friends or in an apartment, the host files it. Deadlines and conditions depend on citizenship and length of stay — check the official sources.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, cards are widely accepted in Kazakhstan, and a transfer can be paid online: cards issued in 79 countries go through. Still, keep some tenge in cash for small purchases.
How do I buy a SIM card?
SIM cards are sold on presentation of a passport in operator shops, including at the airport. Some services — registering the number in state databases, for instance — may require an IIN, the individual identification number; how to obtain one is described on the eGov.kz portal.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
The drive takes 15–25 minutes without traffic, depending on the hotel. A transfer driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, tracks the flight and waits if it is late; the price is known before you get in.
Each ride is priced individually; the amount is fixed when the order is confirmed.