£1 KZT 643.88
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Weather & climate
Weather in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
3°
Overcast
Thu
-2°
3°
Fri
-5°
7°
Sat
0°
11°
Sun
0°
14°
Mon
2°
16°
Tue
3°
13°
Wed
1°
8°
SPF level in Kazakhstan
Recommended: SPF 30
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 30
Autumn
SPF 15
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Kazakhstan
What British travellers need to know
You can visit Kazakhstan without a visa for up to 30 days for business or tourism, but must not stay more than 90 days without a visa in any 180-day period.
To enter Kazakhstan, your passport must be valid for at least 30 days from your arrival date and have at least one blank page.
Your hotel or the person hosting you must register your arrival with the Kazakh authorities within 3 working days.
You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk.
British nationals aged 17 or over applying for a visa or residency must submit their fingerprints as part of the process.
Good to know:
If you arrive with cash over 10,000 US dollars in value, you must declare it to customs authorities.
If you cannot verify your device's IMEI and your stay exceeds 30 days, consider using a global eSIM instead.
Safety in Kazakhstan
Tips when travelling
Kazakhstan is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Carry your original driving licence or passport at all times as police may ask for it and copies are not acceptable.
Avoid walking alone at night, and pre-arrange your transport instead of using unofficial taxis or one already occupied by a passenger.
Keep valuables hidden as pickpocketing is very common in crowded places like markets and on public transport.
Only change money at banks or officially authorised currency exchanges where you will need to present your passport.
Use ATMs inside banks if possible and check street ATMs for tampering to avoid bank card fraud.
Bonus tips:
Be aware that drink spiking is a risk in nightclubs and bars, so do not leave drinks unattended and avoid going off with people you do not know.
Shops are not allowed to sell alcohol between 11pm and 8am, and higher-strength alcohol cannot be sold between 9pm and 12 noon.
More information
Driving in Kazakhstan
A UK driving license is valid for driving in Kazakhstan for a short tourist visit. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended alongside your UK license.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
110 km/h
Urban speed limit
60 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.0%
Remember: Kazakhstan drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Kazakhstan
Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, hospital stays, and repatriation. Check if your policy covers activities you plan to participate in, such as hiking or skiing. It's also advisable to carry a copy of your insurance details with you.
Consult your doctor or a travel clinic for the most up-to-date advice on required and recommended vaccinations and malaria prevention measures for Kazakhstan. Ensure you are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations. Drink bottled or boiled water and avoid ice in drinks. Be cautious about food hygiene to avoid stomach upsets.
Cards & payments
Card payments are becoming more common in Kazakhstan, especially in larger cities and tourist establishments. However, cash is still widely used and preferred, especially in smaller establishments and rural areas.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +13039671096
Tipping in Kazakhstan
Tipping is not obligatory in Kazakhstan, but it is becoming increasingly common, especially in tourist areas, for good service.
Restaurant
5-10% for good service.
Bar/Café
5-10% for good service.
Taxi
Round up the fare or add a small tip.
Hotel Porter
100-200 KZT per bag.
Hotel Housekeeper
1000-2000 KZT per day.
Tour Guide
5-10% of the tour price for a good tour.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the EU roaming regulations no longer apply. Check with your UK mobile provider about roaming charges in Kazakhstan. Roaming charges can be very expensive, so consider purchasing a local SIM card if you plan to use your phone extensively.
Local SIM
50 GB for 15000 KZT (~£25)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Kazakhstan
Voltage
220V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F
WiFi & internet
Wi-Fi is available in many hotels, cafes, and restaurants in major cities. Coverage may be limited in rural areas.
Average speed
25 Mbps
Public Wi-Fi can be found in many locations, but the speed and reliability can vary. Consider using a VPN for security when using public networks.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
102
Ambulance
103
Fire
101
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Kazakhstan
Country code
+7
To call a number in Astana (area code 7172), you would dial 00 7 7172 and the local number.
The country code for Kazakhstan is 7. When calling from abroad, you'll need to use the exit code of the country you are calling from, followed by 7, and then the phone number. Mobile phone coverage is generally good in urban areas.
UK Embassy
British Embassy Astana
62 Kosmonavtov Street 12th Floor Astana 010000
Phone
Website
Recent updates
Entry requirements
17 days ago
IMEI registration for mobile devices
- You must now verify your device's IMEI at imei.kz portal to use a local SIM card.
- Verification requires a border-crossing certificate from the QazETA app and a Kazakh Individual Identification Number (IIN).
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.