Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world, and most visitors concentrate on two cities: Almaty, below the snowy Tian Shan range, and the modern capital, Astana, roughly 1,000 kilometres to the north. From Almaty, day trips lead to the Charyn Canyon, the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes and the ski slopes of Shymbulak. Kazakhstan is not part of the EU's Roam Like at Home area, and European tariffs usually charge a daily fee for roaming there.
Key facts for Kazakhstan
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Beeline, Tele2 (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112; police 102; ambulance 103
- Embassies: in Astana, with consulates in Almaty for some countries
Entry
Most visitors from the EU, the UK and the US need no visa for stays of up to 30 days.
Almaty and the mountains
Coverage is strong across Almaty and up to the Shymbulak ski resort, which you reach by cable car from Medeu. On the long day trips to the Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, the signal disappears for stretches of the drive and around the lakes, so download maps and agree a pick-up time with your driver before setting off.
Astana and the long distances
Coverage in Astana is excellent, and its wide avenues are best covered by taxi or bus. Between the cities, distances are huge: overnight trains link Almaty and Astana, while domestic flights save a day, so download films and maps before any long journey across the steppe.
Paying the local way
Kazakhs pay for almost everything with the Kaspi app, which needs a local bank account. Visitors can rely on cards in hotels, shopping centres and most restaurants, and should carry tenge in cash for bazaars and small shops. For taxis in Almaty and Astana, Yandex Go quotes the fare upfront.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM is set up at home and switches on when you land in Almaty or Astana, ready for maps and taxi apps, while your own SIM stays active for texts and bank codes. For a trip that also takes in Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan, pick a single Asia plan instead of three separate ones.
Kazakh prepaid SIMs from Beeline, Kcell or Tele2 are on sale at the airports and in operator shops; registering one takes your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Kazakhstan
- Dial 112 for the emergency and rescue service. The direct lines are 102 (police), 103 (ambulance) and 101 (fire).
- Embassies are in Astana, and several countries also have consulates in Almaty. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in Kazakhstan, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- Russian is spoken everywhere in Kazakhstan, and the app has emergency phrases in Russian that you can show on screen.
Kazakhstan travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about Kazakhstan
Does my EU plan work in Kazakhstan?
No. Kazakhstan is outside Roam Like at Home, so check your operator's daily rate first.
Can I pay with Kaspi?
Only with a local bank account. Use your card in hotels and shops, and carry tenge for bazaars.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Kazakhstan?
Beeline and Tele2, with 4G and 5G where available.
Which number do I call in an emergency?
112 connects you to the rescue service; the police are on 102 and an ambulance on 103.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, carry tenge for the bazaars, download maps for the canyon and lake trips, plan long distances by train or plane, and save 112.
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