Saparjai-Astana bus station is located in close proximity to the railway station, which makes it a convenient transportation hub for transfers. After reconstruction it has become a modern and comfortable place for departure and arrival of intercity and international buses.
History of the bus station
"Saparzhay" in translation from Kazakh literally means "train station", so nothing complicated. Its history is an important part of the development of the entire transportation infrastructure of the capital of Kazakhstan. Today it serves more than 60 intercity, interregional and international routes daily, transporting about 1 million passengers a year.
Astana's Saparzhay bus station was opened in 1989, back in the Soviet period, when the city of Astana was called Tselinograd. It was built as the main transportation hub connecting the capital with other cities of Kazakhstan and the nearest regions of Russia. In those years, the building was considered modern: spacious halls, ticket offices, automatic doors, luggage lockers - all this was a novelty.
The first routes connected Tselinograd with Kokshetau, Karaganda, Petropavlovsk and other major centers. The infrastructure worked under conditions of limited funding, but the station functioned stably and served tens of thousands of passengers annually.
In the 90s "Saparzhay" faced difficulties - the technical condition of the building deteriorated, some of the equipment broke down, the number of flights decreased. But it remained an important point on the logistic map of Kazakhstan.
By the beginning of the 2000s, there was talk of major reconstruction, which began in 2009 and lasted several years. Interestingly, the bus station in Astana has experienced a change of four names of the city: Tselinograd, Akmola, Astana, Nur-Sultan and Astana again. Still in the waiting room you can see elements of the interior of the late 80's - a small curtsy in the direction of Soviet modernism.
Structure, directions and routes
In the process of reconstruction of the bus station the facade, interior premises were renewed, waiting rooms were enlarged, modern ticket offices, information terminals were installed, security system was improved. Facilities for passengers with low mobility, a café and a new navigation system were added.
Completion of the reconstruction coincided with the growth of tourist attractiveness of Astana, which made the station a real transportation "face" of the city. Today Saparjai-Astana is one of the largest and busiest bus stations in Kazakhstan. It plays a key role in connecting the capital with the regions, especially where there is no railroad connection.
The main intercity and interregional destinations are Karaganda, Pavlodar, Kokshetau, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Stepnogorsk, Ereimentau, Akkol and others. International routes mainly go to major cities of the Russian Federation. On average, about 180 flights depart from here daily, serving up to 6,500 passengers per day.
Services and infrastructure
The following services are available on the territory of the bus station in Astana:
- 7 ticket offices with the possibility of payment by cash and bank cards;
- Electronic terminals for self-purchase of tickets;
- Waiting rooms and rest rooms;
- Help desk and dispatch service;
- ATMs and payment terminals;
- Cafes and kiosks with periodicals and travel goods;
- Pharmacy and hairdresser's;
- Toilet (paid);
- Luggage storage;
- Paid and free parking.
Useful information
- Address: 5 Goethe St., Astana, Kazakhstan
- Phones of information service: +7 (7172) 38-11-35, +7 (707) 214-00-12, 1540 (from Astana city phones) daily from 08:00 to 20:00.
- Working hours of cash desks: daily from 08:00 to 20:00 without days off and breaks.
- Official website: saparzhai.kz
- Email: mail@saparzhai.kz
Information at the bus station is presented in Kazakh and Russian languages. Tickets can be purchased online through the website saparzhai.kz. When boarding intercity flights, a printed route receipt may be required.
How to get to the bus station
Not far from the bus station of Astana on the map there is a stop of public transport, so you can get there from almost anywhere in the city. Public transportation in Astana is well developed.
From the city center
You can get to the bus station by buses №3, №7 and №26. They pass Goethe Street, the bus station "Saparzhay" and stop at the railway station "Astana-1". Average travel time from the center is 15-20 minutes.
From the airport
The road from the airport to Astana bus station will take about 50 minutes by car. The most convenient option is a cab or transfer, because the distance is large - about 26 km. Buses № 10 and № 12 go from the airport to the railway station "Astana-1", which is located about 400 meters from the bus station at the address Goethe St., 1. But it takes more than an hour and a half to drive.
From the central railway station
The road from the central railway station to the bus station of Astana will take 40 minutes by car. But you can get there even faster if you use the electric train. Quite a few routes pass between these stations, so it's easiest to pick up the nearest convenient one directly at the ticket office.
Tips for tourists
It is recommended to arrive at Astana bus station 30-40 minutes before departure. On weekends and holidays there may be a large number of people, so it is recommended to take time to spare. It is advisable to have some cash - it will not hurt to pay for toilets and purchases in kiosks.
Buying tickets online can save time and avoid queues. Be careful with your belongings in waiting areas and on platforms, especially during peak crowded hours.
