Travel Answers

I need to get my Kazakh visa soon as I depart the US at the end of June, however, in the instructions from the visa service I'm using, it tells me I need to "submit a computer-generated flight itinerary from your travel agent, airline, or online booking agency or a copy of your ticket(s). A photocopy is acceptable. It must indicate your name, date of arrival and departure from Kazakhstan and flight information." I am not flying in or out of Kazakhstan, but driving there, and have approximate but not exact dates for my entry and exit. I am flying to the UK, and departing by plane from my final destination, Mongolia. My Russian visa also requests these details. Since I'm not flying in or out of either of these countries, but driving through them, what do I do? The Kazakh visa also wants a hotel reservation confirmation and I don't have that. Do I absolutely have to have this? I don't actually arrive in the country until July.

I'm doing the Mongol Rally in July and traveling through Kazakhstan. I'm anticipating that we'll use the Zhanaul and the Karaagash border crossings to enter and exit. Does anyone have experience with these?

I'm also currently in the process of applying for my visa, and I want to just double-confirm that American passport holders do NOT need a letter of invitation, right? I gather that you need to include a letter requesting the visa with some statement of intent, but that it is straightforward and can be very brief.

How flexible are Kazakh visas on entry and exit dates? Since we are driving overland and conditions are slightly unpredictable, we will have an anticipated date of arrival and exit, but they might change.

Also, has anyone had any negative or uncomfortable experiences with the Kazakh police while driving as a foreigner in the country, such as being pulled over and charged with anything falsely, having to pay bribes, etc?

Thank you.

I am looking for a guide who speaks english that can take us acrsso kazakhstan from June 30 to July 12 for our expedition composed of 2 4x4 and 2 electric motorcycles. further details on www.meneghinaexpress.com

When will Kazakhstan forget the soviet "letter of invitation" and open itself totally for foreigners , visitors , tourists...??

Hello, Can someone help to provide the information to travel to kazakhstan from Dubai.The rules, requirements etc. Im planning a 5 days trip[low-budget] on October 2012. Please advice with the required information,visas, flights, accommodation[cheap ofcourse :) ), food etc Thanks

Hello, I would like to do a trip from France to Kazakhstan or near by) with my BMW 1200 GS and I am looking for a team in 4X4 that would like to do the same trip or even partially. I would like to ride off road once there. Any informations are welcome even a better website for this sort of request. Send me a MP for any request or info Thanks for your help JF

Would you consider taking a 9 year old and 13 year old child to Kazakhstan? is it safe enough? and where would be the best place to go?

Hi Everybody, I will be in Kazakhstan in September 2012. I will arrive in Almaty but need to get to Astana. I would prefer not to fly so ideally would hope to get a train. Has anyone any information regarding times/price and whether they can be booked online or is it possible to buy train tickets at the station a few days before departure. Many Thanks in advance.

just facinated by the palce and people plan to travel in october with family need advice on 1. is oct athe rt time 2.help with iteinery( 7-8days enough?) 3. places to visit.few cities and and some thing for children to do 4.visa problems..and how to go about geting it 5. how cheap or expensive is thanks in advance divyesh

Dear friend I have plan 3 days trip from Almaty to Bishkek and return I would like to know can I take visa in border or not and for return to Almaty my first visa is valid or not or I must to ask multiple entrance visa? thanks

HI WHY ALL THE NOTES ARE NOT UP TO DATE AND THEY ARE FOR 2005-6-7 OR ...?

Hello! I am looking for a travel operator for tours in Kazakhstan - I am trying to contact someone from Advantours but the last response I had from them was 2 weeks ago... Any good personal experiences with any other operator that you could recommend me would be great! :)

Getting deep into the books/foods/culture of Kazakhstan: 7 Ones The 7 Ones ... This is Jeff from Texas. I'm coming to Kazakhstan the first and second weeks of July and one thing I always try to do is get educated on the local scene, the people and the places before arriving: what I call 'the seven ones'. If any of you could give me just one little answer for any or all of the below - your favorites – Kazakhstan. 1. ONE Book... something that has soul or historical pieces. 2. ONE Song... any Kazakhstan artists that I could find on YouTube, iTunes or even buy a CD of off of Amazon otherwise. Also, if there is a particular genre or ethnic type of music that is interesting that would be great. 3. ONE Drink... what the locals and indigenous Kazakhstan peoples drink. I always like to try the local ‘moonshine’ if it is an area where the locals drink alcohol. Something made from grain 4. A Dish... a local, traditional meal or food. 5. A Word/Phrase... a greeting, or something unique to Kazakhstan in general. 6. A bit of news... what is going on in Kazakhstan lately. Local/national items that have been in the news. 7. A little-known place or thing to do... a place off the path where one can get a real feel for the culture (small town, small club in Salvador, good music place, etc) Any other notes would also be appreciated. I am compiling the sheet here if anyone is interested in the same thread: docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0A... Cheers, Jeff

I would like to go in June, 2011 and it appears to be very expensive to fly to Astana or Almaty from Barcelona. Is there another way to get there that is near by and I can take a bus or train to get to Astana? Many thanks. Kathy

We come from Canada to Astana airport 6:15 in the morning. How to get from there to Pavlodar? Air Astana has a flight, but it costs about270 US, and the plane makes a stop in Almaty. What about bus, train or taxi - are they available and how expensive? Thanks in advance for your advise. L.K.

Hi, I live in Charlotte and want to visit Pavlodar, Kazakhstan . What are my most inexpensive choices...why is it so expensive to travel here?

I am a single 48 year man, who wishes to go to Almaty for two/ three weeks. I don't mind traveling there myself if need be, but I am looking for holiday companionship. Is there anybody who fancies going to Almaty, or does not mind me teaming up with them ? I would like to go has soon as possible, all I need is my visa. Anybody interested ?

Hi Folks We are looking for a trip on motorbike from France to Kaz and I am looking for any advises on the following . Even If I have been there two time it was for business reasons. People will be experimented on travel -Best shipment system ( so Cheap :))) ) for the motorbike ( 3 to 5 ) as we would like to avoid crossing Europe( our timing is short and we would like to stay 3 weeks in Kaz) -Best places to visit next to Almaty ( off road on road) - Security issue on the south ( I heard this - Hotel accomodation in Kaz) - Any others important things that you believe it is important to know. Thanks Jeff

Can anyone tell me how long the train from toretam to almaty takes, roughly how much it costs and if it runs on weekends?

I'm thinking about traveling to Kazakhstan on very short notice. I was wondering if it's possible to fly into Almaty, and just get a tourist visa at the airport? From Kazakhstan, I'd like to travel to Urumqi, China... and then into Mongolia. I'm from Canada.

Hi In July 2010 I will fly to Kazakstan for 2 weeks. I will visit Almaty, Shymkent, Turkestan and maybe some places in between. Does some one has a tip for accomodation maybe? Or any other thing I really should know? Thanks for letting me know Tobias from the Netherland

I am wondering what the weather will be like in June and July. Also, I am a vegetarian, yet I do eat fish. Will I be able to find enough vegetarian food like grains, beans or cans of fish? Fresh vegetables and fruit? Also, are there a lot of mosquitos in Kokshetau? (I had heard that in some parts of Kazakhstan people found this to be the case, with windows having no screens.) Thank you, Rachel

Hello, I will travel one month this summer as I do it to 2-4 different countries every year. Kazakhstan is inside my plans. Is it uncomfortably hot in July and August there? Could you please write me some sample costs in Kazakhstan in USD please? Mostly in Almaaty and other towns like Ayagöz, Balkash in general. A cheap meal in a cafe A good meal in a restaurant but not luxury one A local beer in a bar A local spirit in a bar or club A cheap but clean single room in a guesthouse or pension or hotel A small, central apt to rent Enterance to a museum A botle of water in market A bus or train drive for 5-6 hours Thanks a lot :) Alper

From Almaty to Astana I and my friend plan to come on 10 Th May Almaty.Then we have to go Astana.From Astana airport to we have to go Ukraine (Kiev) on 14 th May .So how could we go Almaty to Astana; How much cost by train or by bus ? How long time getting for travel? Is it risky? we have not much money to fly.pls good advisees

I and my friend plan to come on 10 Th May Almaty.Then we have to go Astana.From Astana airport to we have to go Ukraine (Kiev) on 14 th May .So how could we go Almaty to Astana; How much cost by train or by bus ? How long time getting for travel? Is it risky? we have not much money to fly.pls good advisees

So I will be in Kazakhstan for 4 weeks, starting in Almaty. Does anyone know of an 'area' or part of town that I should set up shop and begin my trip? I realize that the cheaper hotels are not online so any suggestions to where I should look to book a room or hostel? I would like to stay in a are with a surrounding nightlife/ shopping. Also anyone with any advice on traveling Kazakhstan, feel free to share you ideas. Thanks in advance.

I will be traveling Kazakhstan this June, I need to send out my passport for my visa. Im having trouble understanding the LOI. How basic does it have to be? Can anyone help me out with exactly what needs to be written on it correctly. Thanks in advance.

Hy! Im going there next month and I admit that Im a bit scared, predougist and dont know what to espect. Is it ok for a family and kids ( 4year old twins) or should my family rather stay home ? What are the prices of food, supermarkets, cloth, shoes, bread, loundary sercvice or by own washing machine, car..toys I realy dont know what to espect, because I admit I dont know anything about Kazahstan. Is there safe for foreners or we shoud be cosius? Thoes people from work I sopose they speak english) hang together ? WHat about carseats for kids there ? Is that obligatory, can we by them there and what are the prices? Can you give me some link to a toy/children equipmetn store in Kazahstan /Atyrau? Thank you fore every answer. Im sory for bothering you, if you dont want to answer Iwill understand Thanks in advance Alexandra

I want to travel from dubai to Taraz which route shall I take by airplane

Hello, Do you know when the Khan Shantyry Entertainment Center be opened? Or is it already? Different websited provide different dates.