Budget for a Trip to Astana: How Much Money Do You Need?

Table of Contents

• How Much Does a Trip Cost on Average
• What the budget consists of
• Budget by Comfort Level
• How to Save Money
• Money Tips
• FAQ

Average Cost of a Trip: A General Guide

The minimum daily budget in Astana is about 30 euros (~12,500₸), excluding airfare and insurance: this covers a budget hostel, two trips on public transportation, and lunch and dinner at inexpensive cafes. A budget trip for a week costs about 19,000₸, but this figure depends significantly on the exchange rate at the time of your trip, so use the breakdown of expenses below as a guide rather than the absolute numbers.

What Makes Up the Budget: A Breakdown by Expense Category

• Accommodation. Hostel—starting at ~2,500₸ per night; 3-star hotel—about 10,000₸ per night; more comfortable options—starting at 20,000₸ and up.
• Food. Cafes and fast food—1,200–2,000₸ per meal; dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant—about 14,000₸.
• Transportation. A bus or LRT ride—110–180₸; a taxi ride within the city—800–1,500₸; a taxi from the airport—about 2,500₸.
• Sights and entertainment. Most parks and waterfront areas are free; admission to observation decks (Baiterek, Khan Shatyr) and museums ranges from 2,000 to 5,000₸ per ticket.
• Flight. Not included in the daily budget, but usually the main expense—the cost varies significantly depending on the departure city and season.

Budget by comfort level: economy / mid-range / comfort

How to Save Money and When It's Cheaper to Travel

• Use public transportation and the Astana Bike bike-sharing service (the first 30 minutes are free) instead of taxis for short distances.
• Book your accommodations in advance—hotel prices in the city center tend to rise as your travel date approaches.
• Have lunch at cafes serving Kazakh and Uzbek cuisine—prices there are significantly lower than at restaurants with European menus.
• The off-season (late fall, excluding holidays) is usually cheaper for accommodations than summer and Nauryz.

Hidden Expenses

Tourists often forget to factor visa and insurance fees into their budget during the planning stage, as well as tips at restaurants (usually 5–10%, which aren’t always included in the bill), and the cost of tickets to observation decks like Baiterek and Khan Shatyr—these are small amounts individually, but over a few days they add up to a significant portion of your budget.

Money Tips

• Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in the city center; cash in tenge will come in handy at markets and small shops.
• Exchange currency at banks or official exchange offices, not with random people on the street.
• Keep a small amount of cash on hand for taxis and small purchases—not all drivers accept cards.

FAQ

How much money per day is enough for a budget trip?
About 30 euros (~12,500₸) per day, not including the flight.

Is Astana expensive compared to Almaty?
Overall, it’s comparable, though Astana is slightly more expensive when it comes to accommodations in the city center.

What’s the most expensive part of a budget trip?
Usually, the flight—the cost of a day in the city is typically lower than the cost of the plane ticket.

Can you pay by card everywhere?
At most cafes, stores, and on public transportation—yes; you’ll need cash at markets and for some taxis.

When is it cheaper to travel?
During the off-season, outside of holidays like Nauryz and Capital Day, when demand for hotels is lower.