Kazakhstan

Travel tips for Kazakhstan: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards widely accepted. While Kazakhstan is highly cashless, the dominant local app (Kaspi) is hard for tourists to set up. Foreign Visa and Mastercards work almost everywhere, but you should carry some Tenge for bazaars, rural areas, and small vendors that only accept Kaspi or cash.

Try the food

Beshbarmak (Бешбармақ): A hearty platter of boiled horse or mutton served over wide, flat noodles and topped with a savory onion broth.
Kazy (Қазы): A traditional, richly spiced horse meat sausage that is typically boiled and served cold in thick slices.
Baursak (Бауырсақ): Puffy, golden-brown spheres of deep-fried dough served warm as a staple bread alongside meals or tea.

Say it in Kazakh

Hello: Сәлеметсіз бе (Sälemetsiz be)
Thank you: Рақмет (Raqmet)
Please: Өтінемін (Ötinemin)
Excuse me: Кешіріңіз (Keşiriñiz)
How much is this?: Мынау қанша тұрады? (Mynau qanşa tūrady?)
The bill please: Есепшотты әкеліңізші (Esepşotty äkeliñizşi)
Yes / No: Иә / Жоқ (Iä / Joq)
Goodbye: Сау болыңыз (Sau bolyñyz)

Essentials

Plugs: Type C / Type F
Voltage: 220V, 50Hz
Driving: Right side
Tap water: Avoid — buy bottled
Emergency: 112 (general), 101 (fire), 102 (police), 103 (ambulance)
SIM tip: Purchase a prepaid SIM card from Beeline, Kcell, or Tele2 at the airport or official kiosks, or install an eSIM before arrival for immediate data access.

Etiquette

A 10 percent service charge is usually included in restaurant bills, but leaving a small additional cash tip is customary for good service.