Kazakhstan's capital is a young city that grew fast on the steppe and is known for its bold, futuristic architecture. Take in Bayterek, the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation and Khan Shatyr, then see Saka gold at the National Museum and try nomadic food such as beshbarmak and kumis.
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Check prices →Winters are harsh: the city transport operator CTS says the LRT was built for Astana's climate, including extremely low temperatures. Check the official forecast for seasonal weather before you go.
According to the city transport operator CTS, the driverless LRT runs 22.4 km and 18 stations from Äuejai (Airport) station to Nurly Zhol station, with a Baiterek station on the way. Trains run every 5–6 minutes. Pay by bank or transport card, QR, Apple Pay/Samsung Pay or Face Pay, or buy a ticket with cash at station ticket offices and machines. Check operating hours officially.
City buses take a transport card or QR payment. Check routes and timetables to and from the airport with the city transport operator CTS.
According to Kazakhstan's national tourism portal, plenty of taxis with checker signs on the roof are always available near airports. Check fares and times officially.
A driverless light rail line between Äuejai (Airport) and Nurly Zhol stations. KZT 200 per ride; travel cards and single tickets are sold at the stations. According to CTS (May 2026), in the first stage LRT payment runs separately from city buses and will be integrated later.
A single city ride costs KZT 110 by card or QR, or KZT 220 in cash. Passes valid from first use cost KZT 500 for 1 day, KZT 1,500 for 3 days and KZT 2,000 for 5 days. Check routes with CTS.
According to CTS, bus fares are paid by transport card or QR code (phone app). When paying by QR, you must show the e-receipt in the app to inspectors. Top up at the CTS central ticket office (R. Koshkarbayev Ave 50/1, Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00) and at listed terminals.
According to Kazakhstan's national tourism portal, taxis wait near airports, bus stops, shopping centres and markets, and bike-sharing stations in Astana are popular in summer. Register for bikes at velobike.kz first (age 16+ only, per CTS).
Good for: First-timers, landmark walks
Home to Bayterek and Astana Opera; Khan Shatyr is in Nura district. The airport LRT line has a Baiterek station; check its location on the official line map. Opera and ballet tickets start at KZT 1,000 depending on the performance.
Good for: Museums, monumental architecture
The National Museum, Hazret Sultan Mosque, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the Kazakh Eli monument and the Independence Palace line one avenue. The Holy Dormition Cathedral is in the same district.
Good for: Older city feel, literary museum
Home to the Saken Seifullin Museum in a 19th-century wooden house, the Abai monument, and the monument to Kerey and Zhanibek, founders of the Kazakh Khanate.
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A monument embodying the Turkic legend of the Tree of Life, at whose top the mythical bird Samruk lays a golden egg. Officially open 10:00–21:00; adults KZT 2,500, children (6–15) KZT 1,250.
A transparent giant tent designed by Sir Norman Foster, covering more than 100,000 m², and a landmark known as an engineering answer to Astana's harsh climate.
A religious complex named after the thinker Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The names of 25 prophets are engraved on its walls, and its main treasure is a 40 kg 12th-century Quran brought to Kazakhstan by Amir Temur in the 14th century.
A symbol of the unity of religions, ethnic groups and cultures, popularly called the Pyramid. Officially open 10:00–18:00; adults KZT 2,000, children (6–15) KZT 1,000.
The country's largest museum, covering history and culture from antiquity to today, with archaeological finds, Saka gold artifacts and ethnographic objects. Officially open Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00 (closed Mondays); adults KZT 1,000, students KZT 700, children KZT 500.
The 91 m Kazakh Eli monument symbolizes Kazakhstan's independence, topped by the mythical Samruk with spread wings. The Independence Palace on the same avenue hosts state events and international congresses; officially open Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–18:00.
A literary memorial museum to the Kazakh writer and public figure Saken Seifullin, in a 19th-century wooden house. Officially open Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–18:00; adults KZT 1,200, children (5–15) KZT 500, under 5 free; an English-language tour costs KZT 8,000.
More than a hundred hectares of parkland, a good escape from the city's bustle.
The main symbol of Kazakh cuisine, meaning 'five fingers'. Large pieces of boiled meat (horse, lamb, beef or fish) come with thin dough cooked in the broth, finished with tuzdyk, an onion sauce.
Fried dough pieces found on everyday and festive tables alike. They can be round, triangular or square and are served with tea and cream (kaimak), jam or honey.
A traditional drink of fermented mare's milk, about 1.5–3% alcohol. It is also sold bottled, so you can find it in supermarket fridges.
A 'steppe cheese' of fermented milk, strained, salted, shaped into balls and sun-dried. It comes soft, hard, salty, sweet or smoked.
A delicacy of horse fillet, salted and dried or smoked, sliced thin as a starter and popular as a food souvenir.
A festive sweet of fried millet mixed with melted butter, sugar, honey, nuts and raisins, usually served with tea.
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
LRT from the airport into the city and check in → Bayterek viewpoint (10:00–21:00) → a walk along Nurzhol Boulevard → Khan Shatyr from outside → an evening performance at Astana Opera (check tickets in advance).
National Museum (closed Mondays) → Hazret Sultan Mosque → Palace of Peace and Reconciliation → Kazakh Eli monument → Saken Seifullin Museum in Saryarka district (closed Mondays) → a walk in Central Park.
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