Frequently Asked Questions

The Basics

  • If you are a US Citizen, no! You can enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days without a visa. Just ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.

  • Extremely. Astana and Almaty are very modern, well-lit, and safe to walk around, even at night. Like any major city, just use common sense, but you’ll find the atmosphere very welcoming.

  • The local currency is the Tenge (KZT).

    Apple/Google Pay and credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted at most restaurants, hotels, and shops.

    It’s still a good idea to have a small amount of cash for local markets or small tips.

Getting Around

  • The brand-new Astana LRT (Light Rail) is now open! It runs directly from the airport to the city center and stops near our recommended hotels.

    If you prefer a car, you can use the Uber app—it works perfectly there and is very affordable.

  • In the hotels and major restaurants, many people speak English. However, generally do not expect to navigate entirely in English.

    We recommend downloading Google Translate (the Russian and Kazakh packs); the "Camera" feature is amazing for translating menus instantly.

The Celebrations

  • For our Saturday events, think "Western Formal" or your favorite Sunday Best. You don’t need traditional Kazakh clothing—just something nice for a celebratory day!

    For the Almaty trip, keep it casual and bring sneakers and a windbreaker.

  • We’ve said it before, but we really mean it: your presence is our gift. Flying across the world to be with us is an incredible gesture.

    Please do not bring physical gifts, as we won't have the space to bring them back to the US with us.

  • August in Astana is usually beautiful and warm (75–85°F).

    Almaty will be similar, but much cooler once we head up into the mountains, so layers are key!

The Almaty Trip

  • We are working with a travel agency to get the best group rate.

    Once we have a headcount in June, we will reach out with the final cost and a detailed itinerary.

  • We’re planning on the overnight train because it’s a fun, unique experience, but if you’d rather fly, that’s perfectly fine!

    It’s a short 90-minute hop between the cities.