Kazakhstan Travel Guide

Language

Kazakh and Russian are the official languages.

Currency

The official currency is the Tenge (KZT), which is divided into 100 tiyin. ATMs are generally accessible in Kazakhstan and major European and international credit cards, such as Diners Club and Visa are accepted in central hotels, shops and restaurants. Travelers checks are cashed at large hotels catering for foreigners and should be in US dollars.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The European round 2-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

The international dialing code for Kazakhstan is +7. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). Area codes are in place, for example, Astana is 3172 and Almaty is 327. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies and reception is good around the main cities. There are Internet cafes in most towns and cities but they tend to be expensive.

Duty-Free

The following goods may be imported into Kazakhstan without incurring customs duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use and gifts to the value of US$500 for personal use only. On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables, which must be registered on the declaration form. They must be exported at the end of the stay. Customs inspections can be long and thorough. It is advisable to keep receipts for items bought in Kazakhstan in order to avoid difficulties on departure.

Tourist Office

Kazakhstan Tourist Office, Almaty: +8 (327) 292 5331 or www.kazakhstan.orexca.com

Kazakhstan Embassies Abroad

• United States Embassy, Astana: +7 (3172) 702 100.
• British Embassy, Astana: +7 (3172) 556 200.
• Canadian Embassy, Almaty: +7 (327) 501 151/52/53.
• Australian Embassy, Almaty: +7 (327) 777 876.
• South African Embassy, Almaty: + 7 (327) 92 53 26
• Irish Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kazakhstan): +7 (495) 937 5911.
• New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kazakhstan): +7 (495) 956 3579.

Emergency

Emergencies: Police: 02 (land lines), 102 (mobiles). Ambulance: 03 (land lines), 103 (mobiles).

Language

Kazakh and Russian are the official languages.

Currency

The official currency is the Tenge (KZT), which is divided into 100 tiyin. ATMs are generally accessible in Kazakhstan and major European and international credit cards, such as Diners Club and Visa are accepted in central hotels, shops and restaurants. Travelers checks are cashed at large hotels catering for foreigners and should be in US dollars.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The European round 2-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

The international dialing code for Kazakhstan is +7. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). Area codes are in place, for example, Astana is 3172 and Almaty is 327. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies and reception is good around the main cities. There are Internet cafes in most towns and cities but they tend to be expensive.

Duty-Free

The following goods may be imported into Kazakhstan without incurring customs duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use and gifts to the value of US$500 for personal use only. On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables, which must be registered on the declaration form. They must be exported at the end of the stay. Customs inspections can be long and thorough. It is advisable to keep receipts for items bought in Kazakhstan in order to avoid difficulties on departure.

Tourist Office

Kazakhstan Tourist Office, Almaty: +8 (327) 292 5331 or www.kazakhstan.orexca.com

Kazakhstan Embassies Abroad

• United States Embassy, Astana: +7 (3172) 702 100.
• British Embassy, Astana: +7 (3172) 556 200.
• Canadian Embassy, Almaty: +7 (327) 501 151/52/53.
• Australian Embassy, Almaty: +7 (327) 777 876.
• South African Embassy, Almaty: + 7 (327) 92 53 26
• Irish Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kazakhstan): +7 (495) 937 5911.
• New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kazakhstan): +7 (495) 956 3579.

Emergency

Emergencies: Police: 02 (land lines), 102 (mobiles). Ambulance: 03 (land lines), 103 (mobiles).

Language

Kazakh and Russian are the official languages.

Currency

The official currency is the Tenge (KZT), which is divided into 100 tiyin. ATMs are generally accessible in Kazakhstan and major European and international credit cards, such as Diners Club and Visa are accepted in central hotels, shops and restaurants. Travelers checks are cashed at large hotels catering for foreigners and should be in US dollars.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The European round 2-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

The international dialing code for Kazakhstan is +7. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). Area codes are in place, for example, Astana is 3172 and Almaty is 327. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies and reception is good around the main cities. There are Internet cafes in most towns and cities but they tend to be expensive.

Duty-Free

The following goods may be imported into Kazakhstan without incurring customs duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use and gifts to the value of US$500 for personal use only. On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables, which must be registered on the declaration form. They must be exported at the end of the stay. Customs inspections can be long and thorough. It is advisable to keep receipts for items bought in Kazakhstan in order to avoid difficulties on departure.

Tourist Office

Kazakhstan Tourist Office, Almaty: +8 (327) 292 5331 or www.kazakhstan.orexca.com

Kazakhstan Embassies Abroad

• United States Embassy, Astana: +7 (3172) 702 100.
• British Embassy, Astana: +7 (3172) 556 200.
• Canadian Embassy, Almaty: +7 (327) 501 151/52/53.
• Australian Embassy, Almaty: +7 (327) 777 876.
• South African Embassy, Almaty: + 7 (327) 92 53 26
• Irish Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kazakhstan): +7 (495) 937 5911.
• New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kazakhstan): +7 (495) 956 3579.

Emergency

Emergencies: Police: 02 (land lines), 102 (mobiles). Ambulance: 03 (land lines), 103 (mobiles).

Language

Kazakh and Russian are the official languages.

Currency

The official currency is the Tenge (KZT), which is divided into 100 tiyin. ATMs are generally accessible in Kazakhstan and major European and international credit cards, such as Diners Club and Visa are accepted in central hotels, shops and restaurants. Travelers checks are cashed at large hotels catering for foreigners and should be in US dollars.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The European round 2-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

The international dialing code for Kazakhstan is +7. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). Area codes are in place, for example, Astana is 3172 and Almaty is 327. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies and reception is good around the main cities. There are Internet cafes in most towns and cities but they tend to be expensive.

Duty-Free

The following goods may be imported into Kazakhstan without incurring customs duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use and gifts to the value of US$500 for personal use only. On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables, which must be registered on the declaration form. They must be exported at the end of the stay. Customs inspections can be long and thorough. It is advisable to keep receipts for items bought in Kazakhstan in order to avoid difficulties on departure.

Tourist Office

Kazakhstan Tourist Office, Almaty: +8 (327) 292 5331 or www.kazakhstan.orexca.com

Kazakhstan Embassies Abroad

• United States Embassy, Astana: +7 (3172) 702 100.
• British Embassy, Astana: +7 (3172) 556 200.
• Canadian Embassy, Almaty: +7 (327) 501 151/52/53.
• Australian Embassy, Almaty: +7 (327) 777 876.
• South African Embassy, Almaty: + 7 (327) 92 53 26
• Irish Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kazakhstan): +7 (495) 937 5911.
• New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for Kazakhstan): +7 (495) 956 3579.

Emergency

Emergencies: Police: 02 (land lines), 102 (mobiles). Ambulance: 03 (land lines), 103 (mobiles).