• 43.3552877.044721 Almaty International Airport (Kazakh: Xalıqaralıq Almatı Äwejayı/Халықаралық Алматы Әуежайы, Russian: Международный Аэропорт Алматы ALA  ^IATA), Ul. Beimbeta Maylina 2 (ул. Беимбета Майлина 2) (15 km northeast of city centre), ☏ +7 727 2703333 (Flight Information). Flights are around the clock so most airport facilities are open 24/7, and there are no security barriers to access the terminal. Arrivals is ground floor, Departures is upper floor, with a good selection of ground-side cafes and shops. The check-in area is nominally security-controlled but this is laxly enforced; however this area has no other facilities so there's no point entering till your desk is open. Passport control follows, then security, then you enter the air-side international lounge with shops, cafes and seating. A taxi to the city center shouldn't be more than the equivalent of 10 USD, although drivers often ask foreigners for two or three times that price. Stay firm on your price. (updated Apr 2024)

International flights – The national flag-carrier is Air Astana, with flights around central Asia and the Middle East. Flights to Almaty include Antalya, Baku, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Beijing-Capital, Bishkek, Delhi, Dubai-International, Dushanbe, Kazan, Hong Kong, Istanbul IST, Kyiv-Boryspil, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Saint Petersburg, Seoul-Incheon, Tashkent, Tbilisi and Ürümqi. Other carriers fly directly from Ashgabat, Dubai, Frankfurt, Novosibirsk, Osh, Riga, Samarkand, Sanya and Xian. So most journeys from the west will involve at least one change of flight, Frankfurt and Istanbul usually being the most convenient.

Low cost WizzAir flies from Abu Dhabi, while FlyArystan connects Almaty with Sharjah and Kutaisi.

Domestic flights – Kazakhstan is a very big country, so most cities have regular flights to Almaty with Air Astana or SCAT Airlines or both. These include Aktau, Aktobe, Astana, Atyrau, Karaganda, Kokshetau, Kyzylorda, Kostanay, Oral, Pavlodar, Petropavlovsk, Semey, Shymkent, Taraz, Uralsk, Urdjar, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Zhezkazgan.

The low-cost airline FlyArystan opens up more and more domestic routes.

Getting there/away

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Note: Aport is a retail and leisure park 10 km west of the city on the road to Bishkek and Taraz. It's a great gift to crooked taxi drivers, who will pretend you directed them here instead of to the airport, and who'll demand ransom to bring you back where you need to be. If you seem to be driving west not north, with road signs for Almaty Arena but not for the airport, then Aport is where he's taking you. Otherwise, just leave the taxi without paying, and take another one... if you are bold enough.

Buses run daily from about 05:20 to 23:00, every 30 mins or better, and take 30 min between the airport and the center. Every taxi tout will assure you that buses are not running. But of course they are, otherwise he wouldn't be so insistent. A ride into town is 150 tenge—pay the driver or conductor.

• Bus 92 is the only one from within the airport, the stop is just outside Arrivals. This zigzags through the northern Turksib district to Sayakhat bus station, then west along Raiymbek Batyr (for Almaty-2 railway station and city metro), along Nauryzbai (southbound) or Zheltoksan (returning northbound) to Abai Bvd, then away out to the western burbs.
• The other buses all run from Mailin Street, the boulevard just outside the airport. From Arrivals follow the traffic flow through the barriers onto the street, keeping right for traffic into town. You cross Zakarpatskaya St which is where your bus will emerge from, pass the Favorit Hotel and a small supermarket, to find the bus-stop where folk as cheapskate as yourself are waiting. Say 10 mins walk. Bus 79 runs to Nazarbayev Ave (formerly Furmanov), and Bus 86 also runs downtown. The main advantage of this stop is Bus 106, which bypasses downtown and runs to Sayran Bus Station, for onward inter-city connections; say 50 min.

Taxis can be ordered at the booth in the arrivals hall. It may take 10 min to arrive, but it will be a sensible price, around 1,500 tenge. At least, that will be the price quoted to you, the taxi driver may have other ideas. It's a common scam here that at the end of your journey the driver will claim that the 1,500 tenge was per kilometre, taking the total to about 35,000 tenge. It's tempting, but unwise to argue too much as they turn violent quickly. The safest thing to do is to avoid taking a taxi from the airport - either take the bus, or get your hotel to send you a driver.

Yandex.Taxi is a good option if you have internet access or a SIM card. A ride to central Almaty should be around 1,500 tenge (Oct 2019).

• 43.27372876.9391112 Almaty-2 Railway Station (Железнодорожная Станция Алматы-2) (at the north end of city centre). All mainline trains run from this station. It's a small-to-medium sized station with marble decor that looks kind of Masonic. There are ticket kiosks, waiting rooms, two cafes, small shops, ATMs and left luggage facilities, but no currency exchange. Outside in the square, where Abylai Khan in a funky circus-master's top hat is gesturing towards Delhi, is Mango, a small retail mall with cafes. Here also is the stop for Trolleybus 5 running south to Abai Bvd, but you'll find most buses on Raiyimbek one block south. Head 400 m east along Raiyimbek for the Metro station. Also here on Abylai Khan are more eating places and currency exchange booths. These have only a 2% spread between "buy" and "sell" rates, far closer than any western exchange, so you're unlikely to find a better deal. (updated Nov 2019)
• 43.3412276.949443 Almaty-1 Railway Station (Станция Алматы-1), Richard Sorge St (4 km further north in the Turksib district, out towards the airport). Northbound trains also stop at this station. A few trains from elsewhere (e.g. Semei-Kyzlorda) bypass Almaty-2 but call here. Trolleybus 7 runs here from the centre. (updated Nov 2019)

International connections from:

• Astana via Karagandy – 6 trains per day, the quickest taking 13 hr.
• Russia – There's no direct train, but you have to change in Astana, or (on odd dates) in Saratov. From Yekaterinburg or Omsk change in Astana or Petropavl. There is a direct service (on odd dates) between from Novosibirsk via Aktogai and Semei.
• Tashkent – Every 2nd day, 16 hr via Taraz and Shymkent.
• Bishkek – This is a round-about route changing near Taraz. By bus is much faster.
• Urumqi (Wulumuqi), China – There is one train per week (leaving Urumqi Monday 23:00), 30 hr via Dostyk. A second, Chinese train may run, leaving Urumqi Sa 23:00, taking 24 hr via Khorgos, is around US$100 and comfortable. For details see Moscow to Urumqi rail itinerary.

• 43.2448976.858234 Sayran Bus Station (Sairan, Междугород автовокзал «Сайран»), Ulitsa Sadovnikov (yлица Садовникова 294) (8 km west of centre on corner of Tole bi and Otegen Batyr, take tram 4). This is the main station for long distance routes. International buses run to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Novosibirsk and Urumqi in China. Daily buses to Taraz, Shymkent, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Astana, Türkestan, Karaganda and Balkhash. (updated Aug 2018)
• 43.271976.95155 Sayakhat Bus Station, Rayimbek Prospekt (1 km east of Almaty-2 railway station). It's still there, just about, although the upper half fronting onto Rayimbek is demolished and boarded up. Enter 100 m north via Suyumbai however, and the lower half remains active, with a small terminal building and toilets. Marshutkas run from here to the north and east of Almaty, also to Talgar, Esik, Kegen and Narynkol. You can reach eastern Kyrgyzstan that way, via Karkara, though there's not much traffic on that route. Just beyond Narynkol is the border with China, but there's no crossing point. (updated Oct 2019)

The Metro has a single line. The northern terminus is on Raiymbek Batyr east of Almaty-2 railway station. The line runs south to Abay, then turns west along Abay to Bauyrjan Momyshuly.

The Metro is open from 06:00-24:00, and is safe and guarded by police at all times. A single trip costs 80 tenge, regardless of length of trip. The tickets are plastic yellow tokens, buy them at machines or booths ("kassa") within the stations. Contactless payment at the gates is also possible by Mastercard, Visa or Union Pay. There are no day tickets or similar deals for visitors, but for frequent travellers there are rechargeable multi-trip smart card.

Metro stations from the north are:

• 43.2709876.944581 Raiymbek batyr (Russian: Райымбек батыра, Kazakh: Райымбек). North terminus, for Almaty-2 railway station & Sayakhat bus station. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.259976.94442 Zhibek Zholy-Dostyk (Russian: Жибек Жолы). For Zenkov (Ascension) Cathedral, Panfilov Park, Green Bazaar, Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments and Kazakh-British Technical University. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.250876.94543 Almaly (Russian: Алмалы). For Hotel Almaty, Opera & Ballet House, Kunayev Museum and Republican Book Museum. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.2427676.950554 Abay (Russian:Абая, Kazakh:Абай). For Central State Museum, Kazakh National Agrarian University, State Academic Russian Drama Theatre, and Kok-Tobe cable-car. (updated Oct 2019)

Here the line turns west and runs beneath Abay Avenue to:

• 43.24111176.9272225 Baikonur (Russian:Байконур, Kazakh: Байқоңыр). For Sport Palace and Central Stadium. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.24027876.9172226 Auezov Theater (Russian: Театр имени Мухтара Ауэзова, Kazakh: Мұхтар Әуезов атындағы театры). For Auezov Theatre, Circus, Rahat Palace Hotel & Kusteyev Fine Arts Museum. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.2385876.897667 Alatau (Russian: Алатау). For Mahatma Gandhi Park. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.236976.87838 Sayran. It is a 2.5-km walk to Sayran bus station, as the lake lies between. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.229376.86619 Moskva. This station is slightly nearer to Sayran bus station, though it's still about a 1.5-km hike north up Utegen Batyr. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.216576.838110 Bauyrjan Momyshuly. Opened in 2022, this is beneath the intersection with Abay. (updated Sep 2024)
• Qalqaman further west is the next extension, due to open in 2027.

There is an extensive network of buses and trolleybuses in the city. You can find routes and schedules using journey planner, or the easier way is to use 2GIS map, which will have all the routes in app. It's a flat fare of 80 tenge within the centre, 150 tenge for the outskirts. Locals use a prepaid yellow transport card "Onay" presented to a smart-card contactless reader, but it's okay just to pay cash to the driver or conductor on boarding. You don't need exact change but you'll be unpopular if you offer a large note. Younger conductors speak a bit of English and will point out your stop.

Paying by SMS. In case there are too many people on the bus, it can be challenging to pay the driver in cash, so you can also pay via sending SMS to a number 2505 with the number of the bus which is usually written on the stickers on the doors/windows, the fare will be 90 tenge, and you won't have to fight your way through the crowd. Official website about paying by SMS . You can pay in such a way only if you have a local Kazakh sim-card.

Onay application. You can also pay using Onay app instead of physical card, where you have to scan a QR code on the sticker inside the bus using the app. But you can only use it only if you have a local sim-card and a way to deposit funds to the app.

The collection of city buses behind the corner of Rayimbek and Zheltoksan is just a depot and there are no passenger facilities here.

There are both official and informal taxis. Official taxis can be booked in advance and normally show up rapidly. The fare difference between official and unofficial taxis may vary up to 3 times. Just raise your hand and a car will eventually stop. You should negotiate the price and direction in advance. Normally the fare varies from 200-1,000 tenge depending on the remoteness of the area. These are really efficient, and, although it takes a bit of getting used to, it is the perfect solution to getting around. Nevertheless, single travellers should be aware of muggings late at night. Avoid cars with more than one male occupant at night. Usually a car will stop within 30 seconds to 3 minutes of having your hand out. If the driver does not wish to drive to your destination, no problem. The next one will stop a minute or two after. You will need the name of your destination street and the nearest cross street, in Russian, in order to get to where you want to go. Very few people speak or understand even basic English. It is necessary to have small money. Usually drivers avoid giving change, so it is better to have the exact amount in hand.

Yandex Go is available, works the same way as Uber, taxi can be ordered using it's smartphone app.

There is a city bike scheme, with pick-up/drop-off stations dotted around. Almost every bike store rents bikes, thus just ask in your hotel for a bike store. The prices are 2,000 tenge for a day and 2,500 tenge for 24 hr.

You can find a vast network of various scooters (samokats) spread around the town, which you can rent using their respective applications, and easily travel around the city with them, for example to/from metro stations to your accomodation. If you know Bolt scooters in Europe - that's the same thing.

The more popular ones are Yandex Go (yellow colored) and Whoosh (orange colored).

At 2024, if we take Yandex Go scooters as an example. the cost of renting them is approximately 50 tenge per minute, but you can but a packages of minutes which will make minutes much cheaper, like 700 tenge for 30 minutes for 1 day (23 tenge per minute), or 660 tenge for 50 minutes for 1 week (13 tenge per minute). So overall, if you buy packages the cost of using scooters to roam around the city are really low.

• 43.25861176.9533331 Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov's Cathedral, Voznesenskiy sobor Zenkova, Свято-Вознесенский собор Зенкова), Kazybek Bi St (In Panfilov Park, Metro Zhibek Zholy). Completed in 1907, it's re-opened after renovation in 2018/19, though some interior work continues. (New saints are being painted in, though presumably they're known to the hagiographers.) The iconostasis is spectacular. At 56 m this among the tallest wooden buildings in the world, which you wouldn't guess from the smoothly painted exterior hues of custard, icing sugar and coloured marzipan - it's more like a lure for Hansel & Gretel. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.28464176.9761152 Holy Kazan Cathedral (Svyato-Kazanskiy Sobor, Свято-Казанский собор), Khaliullina str (Халиуллина) 45a (By jcn of Tatibekova St, 3 km northeast of Rayimbek Metro). Small, brightly painted Russian Orthodox Church. (updated Sep 2018)
• 43.24840676.9281253 St Nicholas Cathedral (Никольский собор.), Ulitsa Baytursynov (3 blocks north of Baykonur Metro, next to Nikolsky Bazaar.). It was built in 1909. It was used as a barn for Soviet cavalry horses but was eventually restored and reopened as a church in 1980. Main entrance is west side from Baytursnov, but there's also a little gate from the park just south. (updated Sep 2018)
• 43.268376.95324 Central Mosque of Almaty (Мечети города Алматы), Ul. Pushkin (ул. Пушкина), 16 (Metro: Raiymbek batyr), ☏ +7 727 397 760, info@meshit.kz. Spacious decorated interior. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.26960476.9587565 Sophia Cathedral (Софийский собор/Sofiyskiy sobor, Свято-Богоявленский храм), Ulitsa Sadovnikov (Садовникова улица), 196., ☏ +7 727 225 0313. Tranquil monastery compound centred on the cathedral, plus small chapels. (updated Sep 2018)

• 43.24619376.9269696 Akhmet Baytursynov Memorial Museum (Ахмета Байтурсынов дом-музей), Baytursynov 60 (3 blocks north of Baikonur metro). Daily 09:00-18:00. Akhmet Baytursynov (1873-1937) was a Kazakh intellectual active in politics, poetry, linguistics and education, so inevitably he was shot during Stalin's "Great Purge". The museum is becoming crumbly. (updated Aug 2018)
• 43.24874176.9361147 Museum of Almaty, ☏ +7 7272 67 59 05. Tu-Sun 10AM-7PM. Small museum featuring the history of the city of Almaty, mountaineering and the Republic, housed in a former orphanage. Audioguide available on your own mobile device. Adults 1500 tenge. (updated Nov 2024)
• Museum of Archaeology (Музей Археологии АН Казахстана), Ulitsa Kaldayakov (near Dostyk Ave). M-F 09:00-18:00. Mammoths, dinosaurs and similar. (updated Aug 2018)
• 43.2461276.952538 Museum of Rare Books (Сирек кездесетін кітаптар мұражайы), Ulitsa Shevchenko 28 (2 blocks north of Abay metro). The guided tour is recommended, not clear what languages are available. 100 tenge. (updated Aug 2018)
• Geology Museum (Геологический Музей Республики Казахстан), 85 Dostyk Ave. M-F 10:00-17:00. Small museum of Kazakhstan's rich geology. (updated Aug 2018)
• 43.23558976.9194999 A. Kasteyev Art Museum (Республиканский музей изобразительного искусства им. А. Кастеева.), Ulitsa Satpaev (Metro Auezov Theater). Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Huge collection spanning Oriental, Russian and Kazakh arts. The Stakhanovite scenes from Stalin's era are fascinating. 300 tenge. (updated Sep 2018)
• 43.23581676.95073110 Central State Museum (Центральный государственный музей РК), Prospekt Nazarbaeva (formerly Furmanov) (Opposite Presidential Palace, Metro 'Abay'), ☏ +7 727 264 2680. W-M 09:30-17:30. Blue-roofed. Features displays on Kazakh history, from prehistoric times through the Mongol periods to the present. Guided tours in English (and other languages) are available if you call the museum ahead of time to reserve. Foreigner/Adult 500 tenge, additional 500 tenge for anthropology exhibition access. (updated Nov 2024)
• 43.259476.956911 Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments (Республиканский музей музыкальных инструментов им. Ыкыласа.), Zenkov St (South of Gogol near Heroes Memorial Park). Tu-Su 10:00-19:00. Small museum with fine traditional facade; exhibits have item names in Kazakh, Russian and English. 1500 tenge. (updated Nov 2024)
• 43.2585876.9571212 Military History Museum (Ministry of Defense), Zenkov St 24 Zenkov Street, Corner Aiteke Bi Street (From Zenkov Park, enter the right entrance of the arch, and proceed right inside the building until you reach the museum.), ☏ +7 7272 91 06 19. Tu-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-4PM. Military history museum with an emphasis on Panfilov's division and Kazakhstan's involvement in the Great Patriotic War (WWII) and the Soviet War in Afghanistan. Since exhibits are in Russian, guided tours are made available on arrival in English, French, Kazakh and Russian (depending on staff availability) to provide interpretation. Initial entrance is unmanned, take the right from the first entrance (also on the right). By donation. (updated Nov 2024)
• 43.25273776.94677613 Central Museum of Railway Transport (Алматинский железнодорожный музей.), Nazarbaeyev 127 (Metro Almaly). Small museum about the railways in Kazakhstan. Free. (updated Nov 2024)
• M Auezov Literature Memorial House (Дом-музей писателя М. Ауэзова), Tulebaev 187 (Opposite Abay metro), ☏ +7 727 261 2227. Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00. Mukhtar Auezov (1897-1961) was a distinguished Soviet-Kazakh playwright and novelist; he lived here for his last ten years. Atmospheric, but you'll need decent Russian to glean much. He's also commemorated further down the boulevard by the Auezov Theatre. 1500 tenge. (updated Sep 2024)

• Heroes Memorial Park (Panfilov Park), Between Kunaev St, Gogol St, Zenkov St and Kazybek Bi St (Metro: Zhibek Zholy). Surrounding the Ascension or Zenkov Cathedral, this honors the men and women from Kazakhstan who died on the battlefields of World War II against the Nazis. There is an eternal flame by the war memorial where schoolchildren put flowers on the last day of school, and newlyweds have their photos taken there. Melodic singing descants from within the dolls' house cathedral. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.234976.947914 Presidential Palace, Furmanov St (ул. Фурманова), 205. You will not be allowed to go inside. Nonetheless, the scenery and architecture is breathtaking. If the guards are out front, it means the president is there. (updated Oct 2019)
• 43.2376476.9454815 Republic Square (New Square, пл. Республики). Former administrative center. Since the capital was moved to Astana, this square has been renovated. TV stations occupy some buildings. There are flower gardens. There is also a Kazakh memorial, consisting of a tall statue of the golden boy, an early Kazakh figure, whose name is Altyn Adam, and circled by metal bas relief panels recounting the history of Kazakhstan, from the time of the fierce Amazon-like queen, to independence 10 years ago.  

• Route P22 (Dulati Street, becomes Svezhest St) runs south up the valley of River Bolshaya Almatinka. Along this route are Kok-Tobe, Tau Spa Centre, Alma-Arasan and Big Almaty Lake:
• Tau Spa. Relax at this mountain spa, worth a visit summer or winter. Try the plunge pool at -15 degrees C! 
• 43.05355276.9843184 Big Almaty Lake is a scenic lake at 2510 m altitude, surrounded by high mountains. It glistens like a mirror, changing colour with the season (a deep turquoise in autumn), and freezing in winter. Towering over it to the south east is Soviet Peak (4317 m), to the south Ozerniy (4110 m), and to the southwest Tourist Peak (3954 m). Great for hiking and climbing. Getting here and back is obviously easiest by car, otherwise:

Bus 28 runs from the roundabout at Al-Farabi and Navoi up Dulati St and ends at the last left turn before Alma-Arasan. Taxis here will take you to within 4 km of the lake for around 2000 tenge. Otherwise it's a 15 km hike and 1000 m rise of altitude: think about the weather and the coming back. Follow the road about 8 km until you reach a big water pipe, and then follow the steep trail next to the water pipe.

Or take a taxi all the way from Al-Farabi and Navoi.

• Dostyk Ave south becomes Gornaya St which climbs the valley of River Pravy Esentai. Along this valley are Medeu Ice Rink, Ile-Alatau National Park, and Chimbulak Ski resort. A bus runs up to Chimbulak from the corner of Satpaev and Baitursynuly daily at 08:00.
• 43.15710477.0594465 Medeu Ice Skating (Take Bus 6 in front of Hotel Kazakhstan on Dostyk Ave every 20 min). The world's highest Olympic-sized ice stadium. More than 180 world records were made on this ice. Fun to visit in winter. Skate rentals are available. Tipsy teenagers teeter across the ice, coloured lights and loud pop music create a slightly surreal, but fun ambience. There is also a large mountain-water swimming pool just below the ice rink, open in summer. The water is extremely invigorating, about 15°C. 
• Ski & snowboard at Chimbulak, Ak-Bulak and Tabagan ski resorts, open Nov-April, lifts closed Tuesday. And hike anytime, beyond the resort up to the dam and then the glacier: tough but beautiful.

Almaty has many modern supermarkets, offering everything from a bakery section to toiletries and vodka. A wide variety of foods is readily available. There are four major supermarket chains: Ramstore, SM-Market, Gros, and City. And plenty of single supermarkets and small local grocery shops. The chain called "Gros" has convenient locations around town and a good selection of drinks and snacks. Ramstore also has at least three locations, but is a bit pricier. The favorite stores among locals are Stolichni (Ablai Khan and Kabanbai Batyr). Super helpful staff and decent fruits and vegetables year around, but vegetable prices are very expensive. Dastarkhan (Gogolya St between Ablai Khan and Furmanova) has excellent baked goods, especially cakes and cookies.

• Hotel Tranzit, 12 Zheltoksan St (just outside Almaty-2 railway station), ☏ +7 727 233 0438. Convenient budget choice with a/c. Doubles from US$24, cash only. (updated Aug 2018)
• Hotel Turkestan, 49 Makataev St (Corner of Almaatinskaya St opposite the Green market), ☏ +7 8727 266 4136, turkistan-hotel@mail.ru. Decent budget choice. Double from US$20. (updated Aug 2018)
• 43.2362976.961661 "European" backpackers hostel, Luganskiy St 59, Almaty 050000. Small hostel with 14 beds (3 double rooms and an 8-bed dormitory) featuring a small garden. Dorm beds 3,000 tenge, doubles 8,000 tenge. (updated Oct 2019)

• Ata Hotel, 105 Dostyk Ave (West edge of city, 1 km south of metro Abay), ☏ +7 705 874 5322. Edge-of-town hotel & business centre. (updated Aug 2018)
• 43.27195476.9378682 Astra Hotel, 12 Zheltoksan St (near Almaty-2 train station), ☏ +7 7272 46 86 88. Mid-range business hotel, a bit worn and thin-walled, but clean, friendly & very convenient for railway station and much cheaper than the international chains. Single B&B from US$50. (updated Oct 2019)
• Grand Aiser, 1 Pozharskogo St (By Central Stadium, metro Baikonur), ☏ +7 727 396 9999. 3-star, mostly positive reviews. B&B double from US$60. (updated Aug 2018)
• Hotel Almaty, 85 Kabanbai Batyr St (Metro Almaty), ☏ +7 727 272 0047. Central 3-star, generally positive reviews. B&B double from US$70. (updated Aug 2018)
• Hotel Ambassador, 121 Zheltoksan St, ☏ +7 727 250 8989, fax: +7 727 272 6441. Central 3-star, needs repair, creaky and smelly. B&B double from US$40. (updated Aug 2018)
• Hotel Berkana, 83 Aiteke Bi St (corner of Tchaikovsky St), ☏ +7 727 279 8866. Central 3-star. B&B double from US$50. (updated Aug 2018)
• Kazakhstan Hotel, 52 Dostyk Ave (west of centre, metro Abay), ☏ +7 727 291 9600. 4-star in 1977 Soviet block, mixed reviews. B&B double from US$45. (updated Aug 2018)
• 43.259876.93373 Hotel Kazzhol Almaty, 127/1 Gogol St (Metro Zhibek Zholy (Жибек Жолы)), ☏ +7 727 250 5016. Comfy 4-star with restaurant & indoor pool. B&B double from US$60. (updated Aug 2018)

• Mercure, 53 Abylai Khan. Chain hotel, central, oasis of calm clean efficiency. B&B singles from US$80. (updated Sep 2018)
• 43.23341876.9391554 Holiday Inn Almaty, 2d Timiryazev St (Metro Baikonur). Good international hotel next to the government sector. B&B double from US$100. (updated Aug 2018)
• Hotel Dostyk, 36 Kurmankazy St (metro Abay), ☏ +7 727 333 0000, reservation@dostyk.kz. Big, old, and well-maintained hotel in the center of the city. B&B double from US$100. (updated Aug 2018)
• 43.23589976.9405525 Intercontinental Almaty, 181 Zheltoksan St (Metro Baikonur), ☏ +7 727 2505000. Luxury hotel with 4 restaurants and indoor pool. B&B doubles from US$200. (updated Aug 2018)
• Rahat Palace Hotel (formerly Hyatt), 29/6 Satbaev Ave (metro Alatau), ☏ +7 727 2501234. 5-star hotel with a decent health club. B&B doubles from US$110. (updated Aug 2018)
• Rixos Hotel Almaty, Spara Seyfullina 506/99. 5 star, central. B&B doubles from US$180. (updated Aug 2018)
• Worldhotel Saltanat Almaty, 164 Nazarbayev Ave (formerly Furmanov St) (central, metro Abay), ☏ +7 727 259 0935, info@worldhotelsaltanat.com. Modern 4-star hotel. B&B doubles from US$85. (updated Aug 2018)
• Ritz-Carlton, Esentai Tower, 77/7 Al Farabi Avenue (southeast edge of city off ring-road), ☏ +7 727 332 8888. Plush 5 star, 3 restaurants, spa & pool. The 30th-floor bar is open 24/7 and has a good view of the mountains, although it is close to London prices. B&B doubles from US$150. (updated Aug 2018)

Almaty enjoys a relatively low crime rate and is, generally, a safe place to travel. Use common sense at night, particularly on Friday and Saturday when the youth hit the streets to get drunk, and in some unfortunate cases, look for trouble. You should abstain from any arguments with locals; otherwise you may end up in the hospital. Kazakh people are extremely friendly and welcoming towards foreigners and nothing should happen to you unless you really want it yourself. Never go to places which you don't trust or don't know about, unless you have a local person with you to help out with the language. Racism is a generally of very minor concern although the average visitor is highly unlikely to encounter any problems. You must be always respectful to the country and locals. In this case, you will feel comfortable with anyone.

Central streets such as Furmanov, Abay, Zheltoksan, Dostyk, and Abylay Khan are strictly regulated and constantly monitored by police officers. Video cameras are installed on 70% of city crossroads. There are some Kazakh drivers who reveal their aggressiveness on the roads. Therefore, it is always best to take great care when crossing the roads.

In the event of an emergency, call:

• 101 Fire
• 102 Police
• 103 Ambulance
• 104 Gas Service
• 112 Emergency rescue

Very few western visitors nowadays need to register upon arrival, and for those who do, your hotel will usually sort it for you. But a few will have to attend OVIR in person, e.g. if you hope to stay longer than 30 days.

43.2576.9252 OVIR (Migration Police) (Corner of Baytursynov & Karasay Batyr St), ☏ +7 727-2544132. M–F 09:00–18:00, Sa 09:00–13:00, Passport collection: 17:00–19:00. Enter the side door through the blue porch and go to Window 3. The building is marked "Migration Police" on Google Maps. You need photocopies of your passport photo-page and your Kazakh visas as well as your accommodation's address. You can drop off your passport (copies not accepted, nor letters from embassies confirming that they are holding your passport) with these documents in the morning, and they will ask you to return later in the day to pick it up. (updated Aug 2018)

• China, 12 Baitasov St (east end of Satpaev), ☏ +7 727 2700207, fax: +7 727 2700227. M, W, F, 09:00-12:00. Will only accept visa applications from citizens or residents of Kazakhstan, ie those with a work, student, or residence visa. Non-residents might be able to apply through some of the nearby travel agents, but don't count on it. An urgent visa, issued in 4 days, costs US$ 80. (updated Sep 2018)
• India, 115 Kazyibek Bi (between Seyfullin & Nauryzbai Batyr), ☏ +7 727 3388646, +7 727 3388642. M-F 10:00-15:00. (updated Sep 2018)
• United States, Zholdasbekov Street (Between Nazarbayev and Dostyk). M-F 09:00-18:00. (updated Sep 2018)
• Uzbekistan, 360 Zhakarov St, ☏ +7 7272 91 17 44. This looks to be in the throes of closing down (and there's no longer an embassy on Barybayeva), as most visitors to Uzbekistan no longer need visas. Hours, prices & procedures all seem makeshift, best phone ahead to check they're still there. (updated Oct 2019)
• Almaty also has embassies or consulates (as of Oct 2019) for Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Japan, Lithuania, Switzerland, Tajikstan, Thailand, and United Kingdom. It's not known what services these nowadays provide, since the capital has moved to Nur-Sultan.