Kazakhstan / Қазақстан Республикасы / Республика Казахстан – Let’s explore here
Kazakhstan is a transcontinental country – it is located both in Europe and in Asia. Because of this, the information is located both in our European and in our Asian travel destination sections. Don’t worry though, all the information for this amazing country is captured on this page.
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world, and the ninth largest overall. It’s massive to travel across – don’t underestimate the time it takes, and plan where you might want to stay. Despite its size, it’s one of the least densely populated places on the planet – having only 18 people per square mile (c.f. 720 people per square mile in the UK).
More than three quarters of Kazakhstan is desert, and the highest point is Khan Tengri in the south east of the country, on the order with China and Kyrgyzstan, at 23,000 ft (7,010m) above sea level. Kazakhstan’s neighbours are China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Current travels
Depending on the outcome of the land border issue in Azerbaijan (see our blog), if the border does open, we hope to cross the Caspian Sea into Aktau, before travelling overland to Uzbekistan. Hopefully this will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂
We’re hoping to be able to drive overland to Uzbekistan –Tajikistan – Kyrgystan, then back to Kazakhstan)
What currency do they use in Kazakhstan?
In Kazakhstan they use the Kazakhstani tenge. The use of credit / debit cards is now widespread, although not guaranteed – have some cash just in case, particularly in café’s and restaurants. Traveller’s cheques are accepted in cities. There are lots of ATMs. Dollars are also widely accepted fir larger purchases, although exchange rates are often poor.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Kazakhstan?
They speak both Kazakh and Russian in Kazakhstan, although many of the population also speak English or German, particularly the younger generations, and particularly in cities.
What time zone is Kazakhstan in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Kazakhstan?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
Is it safe to drink water in Kazakhstan?
No, it is not safe to drink tap water in Kazakhstan. Bottled water is readily available across the country.
What’s it like to drive in Kazakhstan?
We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂
If you’ve got some awesome pictures, or some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know!
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!