Astana
Astana is a planned capital of glass towers and wide avenues, and a practical base for travelers crossing Kazakhstan's northern steppe.
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Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan, in the north of the country on the Ishim River and the open steppe. The government moved the seat of power here from Almaty in 1997, and the city has grown into a skyline of government buildings, glass towers and wide public squares. Its best-known landmarks are the Bayterek monument, a tall column topped with a golden sphere, and the Khan Shatyr, a large tent-shaped shopping and leisure center designed by Foster + Partners.
Astana suits a city trip of two or three days, with time for the architecture, the National Museum and a walk along the river. Travelers who want more often add a few days in the countryside, such as the lakes and pine forests of Burabay, reached by road. The best months are May, June and September, when temperatures are mild. Winters are long and very cold, so plan outdoor sightseeing for late spring through early autumn.
Astana in five
- Download Yandex Go before you landYandex Go and inDriver are two ride-hailing apps that work in Astana. Add a card and a phone number to the app before your flight.Getting around
- Buy an eSIM before the flightMobile data is what makes ride-hailing and maps work from the airport. Set up an eSIM before you leave home so you have data when you land.Phones and eSIM
- Carry tenge for markets and small cafesCards work in many hotels and shops in the center, but bazaars and small stalls often take only cash. Withdraw tenge at a bank ATM in the city and keep small notes.Money and costs
- Pack a warm coat for winterFrom November to March the city is cold and snowy, and sidewalks can be icy. Bring a warm coat, a hat and boots with grip.
- Plan the Ishim sights by river sideThe Ishim River runs through the city, and the main sights are spread across both banks. Group your stops by bank and take a taxi between them instead of walking the full route.
Things to do in Astana
See all attractions in Astana
Need to know
- Currency
- Tenge (KZT)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports for short stays; eVisa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 102 police, 103 ambulance, 101 fire, 112 from any phone
- Tipping
- Not expected; rounding up in cafes and taxis is common
- Time
- UTC+5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy7 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh-10°Low-17°Very cold, snowJanuaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -10°
- Low
- -17°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Very cold, snow
- FebruaryCloudy6 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh-8°Low-16°Cold, snowFebruaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -8°
- Low
- -16°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-10°Thaw, coldMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -10°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, cold
- AprilPartly cloudy7 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low2°Spring startsAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- MayPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low14°Warm, long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, long days
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low16°Hot, dryJulyPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, dry
- AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low14°Warm, dryAugustPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, dry
- SeptemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Mild, clearSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low1°Cooling, quietOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooling, quiet
- NovemberCloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-8°Cold, greyNovemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, grey
- DecemberCloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-8°Low-15°Cold, darkDecemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- -8°
- Low
- -15°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dark
Average daily high and low in Astana, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Astana
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- 0°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Astana
01:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today5°-1°2%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed6°-2°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°-2°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri11°2°51%Friday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sat8°1°68%Saturday: Rain. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Sun4°-2°22%Sunday: Drizzle. High 4°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Mon4°-3°29%Monday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 09:50 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 453.4 KZT
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Burabayabout 3 hours by carA national park of lakes and pine forest, a good day or overnight stop away from the city.
- Karagandaabout 3 hours by roadA coal city and regional center, a longer stop on a route to the south.
- Kokshetauabout 3 hours by roadA regional town near the Burabay lakes, useful as a stop on a northern loop.
Before you go to Astana
Rules for Astana, checked
- Many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays; check entry rules on eGov before you book.Source
- Carry your passport at hotel check-in, since hotels register foreign guests with the migration authorities.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering mosques such as the Hazrat Sultan Mosque.
Plan around Astana
Regions, entry and transport for a Kazakhstan trip
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, ride-hailing apps and transport links from the city
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and documents for a Kazakhstan visit
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices across the trip
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses by area
Read the guideAsiaThe wider region for a longer route
Read the guideAstana FAQ
Is Astana worth visiting?
Yes for modern architecture and a short city break. It has fewer old streets than Almaty, so it suits a few days rather than a long walking stay.
How many days do you need in Astana?
Two to three days cover the main sights on both banks of the Ishim. Add a day trip to Burabay if you want lakes and pine forest.
Do I need a visa for Kazakhstan?
Many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays, and others apply for an eVisa. Check the rules on eGov before you book, since they change.
How do I get from the airport to the city center?
Take a taxi or a ride-hailing app such as Yandex Go or inDriver. Add a card and a phone number to the app before you land.
When is the best time to visit Astana?
May, June and September are the best months, with mild weather and long days. Winter is very cold, with snow from November to March.
Is Astana or Almaty better?
Astana suits modern architecture and a short city stay. Almaty is the former capital, with mountains and older streets.