Astana

The city took over the role as capital from Almaty (the largest city) in December 1998. "Astana" means "capital city" in the Kazakh language; the name change seems to have been planned from the start. Now it's undergoing a transformation costing billions of dollars, with top international architects assisting in trying to make Astana a worthy capital - not only of Kazakhstan but of Central Asia. Astana presents an interesting and intriguing blend of old Soviet architecture with the modern designs of Norman Foster and the like. Astana is growing, but still does not offer the comforts and thrills of its Western counterparts, or Almaty, but has its own charms and pleasures.

See Kazakhstan for visa information, but most western passport holders don't need a visa for visits of up to 30 days.

By plane

• Nursultan Nazarbayev International AirportIt serves Vienna Schwechat, Kiev, Moscow, Beijing, Delhi, Seoul Incheon, Bangkok, Istanbul Atatürk, Dubai, London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Hannover and Frankfurt Airport, as well as several domestic destinations. Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, flies to Almaty, Delhi,Dubai, Frankfurt Airport, Hannover, Istanbul-Atatürk, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, and Urumqi from Astana Airport. Low-cost Wizzair flies from Budapest. Bus 10 and Bus 12 connect the airport and the city centre at least twice hourly, price is 60 tenge. You can find the time table at the bus stop directly in front of the main entrance to T2 (domestic) terminal. It's a one-minute walk from T1 (international) terminal. A taxi from the airport to the city centre is about US$20.

By train

• Astana 1 Railway StationServed by the Qazaqstan Temir Zholy (Kazakhstan National Railway) - for timetables and tickets see https://tickets.kz/en/gd. Three direct trains run daily between Almaty and Astana, taking 20 hours overnight. For Russia, there's a direct train to Moscow (not daily) via Petropavlovsk; or travel to Chelabynsk (18 hours) for connections across the Urals and European Russia. For Urumqi in western China, a weekly train runs via Karagandy, Aktogai and Dostyk.

• Astana Nurly Zhol railway stationOpened in 2017 ahead of Expo to cope with rising traffic, many trains terminate here. Around 10 km from the centre of the city. Bus number 50 is frequent and can be used to get to almost any place in the center of Astana (a metro is planned to open in 2019). The station resembles an airport or new train stations in China - spacious, similar to an airport with divided departure and arrival zones. Station security is omnipresent, but tolerates staying in waiting zones for a long time, even after disembarking from the train. Features free Wi-Fi and a few power plugs.

So which railway station? As of autumn 2018, trains from Russia are still using Astana-1, while trains to Urumqi in China are using Nurly Zhol. The fastest trains to Almaty also use Nurly Zhol, but it's a mixture for this and other Kazakh destinations. Check locally near the day of travel.

By taxi

There are plenty of taxis around: expect to pay 300-1,000 tenge for a trip within the city.
Street taxis: Stand at the side of any road and thumb down a passing car, within 3 minutes you should have had a string of them. Tell them your destination and they will either drive off or gesture you in. It is useful to know numbers so you can set a price for the journey before starting. They are much cheaper than official taxis and you can expect to pay about half the price in one of these, prices start at about 500 tenge for a cross river trip. Some drivers will practice their English on you, others will race around the streets like a maniac, slowing down for the obvious speed camera. Use this method with caution and try to travel in groups.
Uber is available in Astana.

By bus

Public buses (Astra Bus) have a flat fare of 180 tenge, pay the conductor on board (or driver if there is no conductor). The buses are efficient and comfortable, but they are often full. Some buses are from the 1990s, but there are also newer buses from the last 10 years that match any modern city in terms of the quality of the bus. For bus routes, times and real time location updates, download the very useful Astrabus smartphone app. Another useful app is 2GIS.
The municipal authorities have published a bus route map. But you must choose the bus number to see the route. This is not helpful if you know where you want to go but don't know which bus to take! Once you're on the bus, there is a route map, so it's worth taking a photo of that on your phone for later trips around the city! When you get on a bus tell the conductor your destination and they will either tell you when to get off or gesture you to get on another bus.
The number 12 bus does a nice loop around the new part of the city with the palace etc., so this is a nice one for a tour. Bus 19 runs from the railway station, down Beibilitsky Street, then through the centre eventually out past the National Museum.
Buses serving further regional destinations depart from Saparzhay (Автовокзал "Сапаржай) which is adjacent to the railway station. Times and tickets on their website.
A Metro line is under construction between the airport and Nurly Zhol railway station. Its opening is overdue; it's now looking like end of 2019.

• Bayterek TowerAn example of the futuristic architecture in the newborn city. Nicknamed Chupa Chups by the locals due to its similarity to a giant lollipop, this 97-m-high building offers a great view of the city as well as an art gallery, an aquarium and a restaurant. There is a pleasant bar on one of the upper levels. In the centre of the top sphere, the ever-so-humble President Nazarbayev made a golden palm print where visitors may put their own hands. At busier times the queue for the palm can be very long. Nazarbayev designed the Baiterek himself and the original sketches can be seen in the national museum.

• Khan ShatyrIt's a giant transparent tent big enough to hold 10,000 people. The 150-m-high tent has a 200-m elliptical base covering an area larger than 10 football stadiums, and contains a park, a shopping and entertainment area with squares and cobbled streets, a boating river, minigolf and an indoor beach resort. It even contains its own monorail with several stops. While Astana is one of the world's coldest capitals with temperatures down to -40°C in the cold season, the transparent material lets sunshine in and helps to keep temperatures comfortable all year.

• National Museum of the Republic of KazakhstanThe national museum moved to this location in 2014. The museum is huge and very modern with interactive displays in English, Russian and Kazakh. Popular with tour groups but it's big enough to absorb them. The displays take you through the history of Kazakhstan up to the modern day. It also hosts an art gallery with many temporary exhibitions. The main entrance hall is huge with a golden eagle that flaps its wings to patriotic music at certain times in the day. One of the highlights is on the ground floor where an animated diorama of the planned Astana emerges out of the floor on the hour, be sure to get there early as it can get crowded. The golden hall display has a model of the golden man costume along with a range of other beautiful golden objects found around Kazakhstan. Don't miss Nazabayev's rough sketches for the presidential palace and Baiterek.

• Khazret Sultan MosqueCompleted in 2012, it's the largest mosque in Kazakhstan and the second largest in Central Asia. A vast calm soaring space, can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers.

• The Military Historical Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan

  address: Barayev 3
  Built like a yurt with a dome resembling a mosque. It contains exhibitions about the history of the military of Kazakhstan. There is large focus on the Great Patriotic War and a collection of memorabilia related to Nazabayev, including some of his official stationery, a tank commander's hat that he wore and a big official painting of him. Don't miss the upper levels that have some excellent war paintings or the soviet style paintings as you enter the building.

• Atameken Map of KazakhstanAn outdoor museum giving you an overview of the entire country in a miniature version. This 1.7-hectare exhibit features more than 200 mock-up pieces, creating Kazakh cities and historical memorials. During the summer months at least, there are normally English speaking guides available (optional obviously), should you wish to learn a little about the models, and there is a covered section which focuses on the newer constructions within the city of Astana. Taking photos sometimes requires an extra payment to be made - you may want to keep cameras in your bag until you pass out of sight of the front ticket office. There is a covered map of Astana on a platform overlooking the rest of the map, be sure to visit the exhibition underneath this, which offers dioramas of Kazakhstani industry, sport and culture.

• Palace of Peace and ReconciliationThe pyramid portion of the building is 62 m high and sits on a 15-m-high earth-covered block. All of this construction is above ground level. The building holds a summit of all religions of the world every 2–3 years. Though the landscaping of the park rises up to cover the lower levels, these are not in fact basements. This building offers a great view of the city, two art galleries, an archaeological and ethnographic museum, opera hall, and a cafe.

• DumanAn entertainment complex consisting of an oceanarium, 3D theatre, dome area, souvenir shops and cafes. The aquarium is unique for being located over 3,000 km away from the ocean! It has more than 2000 sea inhabitants, the representatives of 100 species of sea fauna from different parts of the world. You can also see "Mermaid" and sharks-feeding shows at the aquarium. In the Motion Theatre you can make an underwater trip under the command of captain Mac-Cloud during the World War II, to overcome the traps while rescuing the gorgeous princess, confined in the dungeon, go on a tour to the past to dinosaur age, escorted by a troll etc.

• Nur-Astana MosqueThe second largest mosque in Astana and the third largest in Central Asia, completed in 2008. The dome area contains symbols from all over the world like the Statue of Liberty, the fragment of the great Chinese wall, the "Doriphor" statue, Parthenon and others.

• Kazakh Eli monumentIt's next to Pyramid (Palace of Peace) and has a small statue of the first president of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is about 100 metres tall and has a mythical golden bird Samryk on the top. Monument is made from white marble and surrounded by very beautiful fountains.

• Shabyt PalaceShabyt is a palace of arts situated to the right of Kazakh Eli monument. It is a dish like building made from glass.

• Palace of IndependenceMany political and business gatherings are held in this palace. The summit of the OSCE (Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe) took place in December 2010 in this building; 56 countries were invited and it was one of the largest gatherings of Heads of State (bigger than Washington Nuclear Summit). Summits concerning ecology were held in October 2010 and 2011.

• Museum of the First President of the Republic of KazakhstanThis is north of the river on the junction of Abai Street and Bebeishelik Street. This magnificent building was the seat of power before the new presidential palace was built. There is an entrance on Abai Street where you will have your baggage searched and you will be scanned for metal. Once inside be sure to ask the people at the front door for an English guide book. Pictures are allowed on the ground floor (1st in Kazakh speak) and outside, but no where else. Most people will have to don covers for their shoes and all luggage must be stored in lockers. Entry is free. The building consists of displays outlining the struggle for independence, gifts and awards given to Nazarbayev including a machine gun from the Saudis, and state rooms preserved as they were when Nazarbayev was there. On the top floor there is a comprehensive photo display of Yeltsin, someone that Nazarbayev seems to have a lot of sympathy towards. Be sure to see the full sized recreation of the golden man. The museum is often on the empty side and don't be surprised to find yourself trailed by anxious (maybe bored) gallery staff. There isn't much for the kids here, it is more suited to those interested in the art of state diplomacy and the history of Nazarbayev. There is a small gift shop on the ground floor with the normal tourist paraphernalia.

• Alzhir, Memorial Museum of Victims of Political Repressions and Totalitarianism. Former Gulag camp for female family members of those condemned to Gulag. Located in Akmol (aka Malinovka) next to main highway. Entrance 500 tenge, audio guide 500 tenge. Inside memorial building has documentary exhibits. To reach Akmol take the Astana - Korgalzhyn bus (available departing at 10:00, 11:50, 13:00, 14:30, 400 tenge) from central bus station Saparzhay, get off at Akmol.

• REVision Park Cinema in English: Every Tuesday at 20:00, 24 Turan St. Sary Arka Shopping Mall (3d Floor). , Revision Park is a new project of Language Leader and KinoPark Multiplex cinemas .

• Ak Bulak sauna Complex

  phone: +7 7172 497698 (reception), +7-705-140-7221 (cell)
  address: 8th kilometre on the Astana-Airport highway
  A sauna complex with 3 private VIP double floor saunas (for a party of 6, 9 and 12 people). Each sauna is decorated in a different geographic style and has its own swimming pool, Finnish and Russian steam rooms (banya), jacuzzi, hamam, entertainment hall with a banquet table, billiard, karaoke, TV with cable channels and 2 private relax rooms. The Complex has its own parking lot and conveniently located on the main Astana-Airport highway (not far from Olympic stadiums). Ak Bulak sauna Complex is an excellent way to enjoy cold and windy Astana and feel the bathing tradition of Kazakhs. Food and beverages are provided at the Complex. Different types of massage can be ordered at the reception.
• Watch football ie soccer at Astana FC, who play in the Premier League, the top tier of Kazakh football. Their home ground is Astana Arena, capacity 30,000, 4 km south of city centre along Qabanbai Batyr Ave.

Souvenir shopping

• Talisman

  address: 7 Republic Avenue and a larger shop on 18/2 Syganak Street
  A great little souvenir shop boasting over 3,500,000 different types of gifts, including T-shirts, felt products, leather paintings, contemporary art, traditional musical instruments, desk sets and jewellery and stuffed leopards. A bit expensive and the staff watch you very carefully to make sure you don't shoplift, but there is a good variety of goods.
• TSUM also has a nice little souvenir shop in the second floor with traditional Kazakh souvenirs.

General shopping

• TSUM The central shopping mall on Kenesary Street, across from Congress Hall has some shops for clothes, perfumes, a camera shop, cafe and a small supermarket.
• New Western-style shopping malls have sprung up with all the variety of shopping you would expect from a mall in the West including:
• Keruen on the Left Bank near Bayterek. Supermarket, Cinema, Babylon (video-arcade/indoor rides for children). Food court.
• Mega on Turan Street. Cinema. Ramstor supermarket. Climbing wall. Food court.
• Sara Arkai on Turan Street. Cinema. Supermarket.
• Ramstor is another chain of supermarkets that is popular among Westerners in Astana. They sell lots of things you can't find elsewhere such as macaroni and cheese, microwave popcorn, Worcestershire Sauce, barbeque sauces, tortilla chips, salsa and so on.
• Asia Park. Next to Central Mosque of Astana. Has a nice skybar with a pretty good view. Includes an Alma supermarket with good bakery, dairy, tinned food and frozen food. Fruit and vegetables don't look so good (in late 2011). Some basic homeware is also on sale. There is a Finn Mark shop for winter clothes. There is also a Fitness First gym.
• Artem. This is half way between a bazaar (as some people call it) and an old fashioned shopping mall. The ground floor is open and feels like a market - it has lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and dried fruit and nuts, all for sale in market stalls; plus mobile phone shops at one end. There are also areas that sell meat and fish. The many upper floors contain mostly clothes shops - a bit more reasonably priced than Mega, Khan Shatyr etc., plus toiletries, furniture, and more.
• Shanghai. These are big supermarkets that are more like bazaar mostly for the groceries but they also have clothes.
• Eurasia. One of the first shopping centres in Astana. Has everything for a little bit lower prices.
• With China relatively close, you can find many electronic gadgets in the shops, just remember that returns policies are not as customer-friendly as in the West. Also some of the latest gadgets such as iPhones and iPods are more expensive here than in Western countries.
• Khan Shatyr. Has a Greens supermarket - well laid out (the aisles aren't straight, so it doesn't have that factory-like feel of typical supermarkets). Prices are reasonable considering it's in the Khan Shatyr. There is also a Debenhams in Khan Shatyr.

Beshbarmak - a horse meat and pasta dish. Most restaurants that serve it will present a portion enough for two or three people. Boursaky - bread best served piping hot. A little like an unsweetened doughnut. Shashliq - unless you have a sturdy stomach, best to avoid unknown street vendors, but these kebabs are often cheap, and a good 'safe bet' if you recognise little else on the menu.
Along Turan street (formerly Sara Arka), there is a row of restaurants that while a bit expensive are quite good. They also have private rooms for parties, saunas, and even hotel rooms.

• Cafe Shimket

  address: Immanova, near Republic Street
  If you want a greasy spoon style meal, with cheap prices, and a mixture of makes in the car park, rather than 4x4s, Hummers and Mercedes, head over here.

• Melnitsa

  address: Turan Street
  Possibly the only Ukrainian restaurant in Astana with one of the best outdoor dining areas in the city. Lots of traditional Ukrainian dishes like potato pancakes and of course Chicken Kiev. Live music in the evenings. Fresh bread oven. Great décor, like a farmer's hut.

• Tre Kronor

  address: Turan Street
  Consistent with its name, the restaurant strives for a more European fare. It features excellent steaks and decent sausages. Nice brew pub atmosphere though it is a proper restaurant. Most evenings there's a live band which plays a mix of reggae, classic rock and Russian rock. Nice outdoor cafe in the summer.

• Satti

  phone: +7 7172 24 28 48
  address: 32 Kabanbay Batyr Street
  Serves mainly Kazakh food, mixed in with some European.

• Line BrewPopular with expats and locals alike, Line Brew features its own brew of beer, with an impressive menu that includes several delicious steaks, including one made of horse meat.

• 1000 and 1 Nights Cafe

  phone: +7 7172 366-222
  address: Bayan Sulu hotel
  The main destination for authentic Turkish and Arabic cuisine in Astana. Operated by Turkish management. Located at Bayan Sulu Hotel, which is located not far from Eurasia shopping center.

• Ali Babas

  address: 3 Bukeikhan st.
  A very popular summer restaurant. The waitresses and waiters dress in traditional dress and the menu offers a selection of central Asian cuisine. Prices are in line with Europe or America but the food is good. There are fake bird cages hanging from the roof which tweet electronically. Camel and horse milk are on offer along side Leffe beer

• Rafe

  address: Bukeikhan Street
  A modern coffee bar offering Italian food with a twist. Be sure to check out the horse pizza.

• Turfan

  phone: +7 717 239 0850
  address: Alikhan Bokeikhan St 10
  Popular restaurant with the locals, offering a good range of Central Asian food selectable by pictures, they don't have an English menu but the staff will happily try their English on you. Slightly cheaper than the near-by Alibaba. During Ramadan they don't serve alcohol

• Kumis - different varieties are available of this mare's milk, some are a little salty. Slightly fermented. Can contain alcohol.
• Shubat - local variety of fermented camel milk. Contains some alcohol.
• Vodka - supermarkets stock a huge variety, ranging from US$2 bottles that will strip your throat to US$115 bottles that are more for giving as a present or showing off your wealth. Shots tend to be drunk, rather than utilising mixers - don't feel obliged to down each and every one if at a celebration.
• Cognac - what we would refer to as brandy, again a wide range in the shops and restaurants. Same rules apply regarding shots - with all the toasts made at parties and other gatherings, you may want to pace yourself.

There are more than 10 discos (night clubs) that are frequently referenced by locals: Chocolate , A8, Fusion, Ice, etc. Chocolate is in the same building as the SAS Radisson hotel, but may only be open on selected days (weekends). "Ice" (centrally located - ask locals for the address) has a nice atmosphere and is on two floors with a large dance area. Prices are towards the high end, no entrance fee on Thursday night.

Budget

• Hostel Nomad 4x4

  phone: +87713731727
  address: Nurtas Ongdasynov Street 52A
  Neat dorms, gender separated. Mix of locals and foreigners from all over the world. Kitchen and fridge available for guests, as well as sale of drinks. Walking distance from Bayterek tower and the Circus.

Mid-range

• Bayan Sulu Hotel Astana

  phone: +7 7172 36-62-22 and +7 7172 36-60-79
  address: microdistrict 2a, building 8/1
  This inexpensive, but very comfortable 3-star hotel enjoys a quiet location in Astana, a 10-minute walk from the Kazakhstan Sports Palace and 5-minute drive from the left bank – a new administrative centre of dynamic Astana. The hotel offers 3 saunas that include swimming pools, jacuzzi, Finnish steam rooms. Wi-Fi is free in all rooms. Every room is air-conditioned and has a working table, minibar, cable TV and private bathroom with a bathtub. Free breakfast at the “1000 and 1 night” Café that serves European, Arabic and Turkish cuisine.

• Hotel Gran Park Esil

  address: Beibitshilik Street
  A pleasant and clean hotel. Breakfast included. Built in the early days of the Soviet Union it has a certain authenticity that many of the more modern hotels lack. There is free Wi-Fi and satellite television. The gym, pool and sauna are free, as is the masseur but you must book ahead. The mini bar has condoms, listed under 'miscellaneous'. The staff are friendly and receptionists have a good grasp of English. The bar is pricey but often has a piano player, Friday night is cocktail night. During the summer there is an outdoor bar and restaurant.

Splurge

• Duman - behind the Duman entertainment complex, this approximately four star hotel is an 18-story building built in 2008 and overlooking the park and river to the north and east, and Mega shopping mall to the south. The rooms are good quality, with space, large beds (beds are firm - how good this is depends on your preference) heating and air conditioning, and excellent showers and bathroom facilities. The room rates vary. The lobby bar on the ground floor sits at the bottom of an 18-floor atrium, one wall of which is all glass. The glass lifts in the atrium give an impressive view out the glass window. On the 16th floor there is a bar and restaurant with great views but very poor food. The laundry service is exorbitant - about US$100 for a week's worth of clothes.

• Okan InterContinental Astana

  phone: +7 7172 391-000
  address: 113 Abaya Avenue
  The first luxury hotel in Astana, the service is very good and the room quality is consistent. Singles/doubles from 46,000 tenge. A very good breakfast bar is included, and there are is a popular Italian restaurant (Pucchini's) and an eastern-style (Turkish) restaurant, as well as a pub on the mezzanine floor. Expensive (but fast, reliable) wireless internet, and a nicely equipped business center. A nice range of conference facilities. It's in the old area of town, within walking distance from many restaurants, it is a long way from the government buildings on the other side of the river now that the government has moved.

• Rixos Presidents Hotel AstanaMake no mistake about it, this is the most luxurious hotel in Astana. For starters, standard rooms come with heated tiled floors in the bathroom, step in showers and jaccuzi tubs, LCD wide-screen television, and free wireless internet (although it is not very consistent). The service is friendly and professional. There is a bar, a cafe, and two restaurants, and the best conference facilities in Astana. The spa has the best exercise equipment in Astana, and the pool is lovely. It is within walking distance to the ministries and the better restaurants, and the breakfast buffet is more than fantastic (they've been known to put out caviar!) complete with a harpist. The main drawback? So many VIPs prefer to stay in this hotel (visiting presidents, prime ministers, and other big-wigs) that you often have to fight security to get in and out!

• Radisson Hotel Astana

  phone: +7 7172 670-777
  address: Sary Arka 4
  Just north of Ishim river with 180 rooms. Singles/doubles at US$480 including breakfast, access to fitness center but excluding current VAT. Rooms are modern design, with flat-screen TV and free internet. Wi-Fi in the rooms can be dodgy, but there is a cable alternative, and Wi-Fi works fine in the lobby/lounge. Hotel has a reliable Italian restaurant, and a sports club/spa.

Mobile phone providers

There are three mobile phone providers: KCell, Tele2 and Beeline. All three offer mobile web (Edge, 3G). SIM cards are cheap and can be bought without filling in documentation.

Money

There are cash machines in shopping centres, on the street and in most hotels. Most accept Visa and some people have had trouble with MasterCard. Most banks convert dollars, euros and roubles. Pounds are much harder to get rid of.

Embassies

• Canada

  phone: +7 7172 475 577
  address: 13/1 Kabanbay Batyr

• China

  phone: +7 7172-793561
  address: 37 Kabanbai Batyra Ave

• Egypt

  phone: +7 7172-241830
  address: 24A Sarayshyk Street, Diplomatic Town

• Finland

  phone: +7 7172-44 21 21
  address: Astana Tower 17th floor, 12 Samal Microdistrict

• Germany

  phone: +7 7172 791200
  address: ul. Kosmonawtow 62, Chubary

• Greece

  phone: +7 7172-563714, +7 701 188 7406 (Emergencies)
  address: 109 Micro District Karaotkel 2010000

• India

  phone: +7 7172 925 700 (701/702/703)
  address: Qabanbay Batyr Ave 6/1
  For passport/visa queries use: cons.astana@mea.gov.in

• Netherlands

  phone: +7 7172 555450
  address: Kosmonavtov street 62, Renco building 3rd floor, Microdistrict Chubary

• India

  phone: +7 7172 925700
  address: Kaskad Business Center, 5th Floor 6/1, Kabanbai Batyr Ave

• Israel

  phone: +7 717 2688739
  address: Mukhtar Auezov Street 8

• Italy

  phone: +7 7172 243390
  address: via Kosmonavtov 62
  Ambasciata d’Italia in Kazakhstan - Emergency cellphone +7705 294 52 69

• Norway

  phone: +7 7172 551100
  address: Right Embankment House 12, Floor 17, 020000, Astana
  For passport/visa queries use: visa.astana@mfa.no

• United Kingdom

  phone: +7 7172 556200
  address: 62, Kosmonavtov St

• United States of America

  phone: +7 7172 70-21-00
  address: Ak Bulak 4, Str. 23-22, building #3

Religion

Catholic church of Maria Santissima. Zhumabek Tashenov St - Services: Sunday 11:00 (Russian), 18:00 (English)
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Saint Joseph. 1/2a Tauelsizdik Ave

Burabay National Park 3 hours north by train
Almaty 21 or 13 hours south by train