How much does a trip to Kazakhstan cost?

A tailor-made trip to Kazakhstan with travoHolidays starts from about US$1,559 per person for 6 nights in Astana and Almaty, and about US$2,028 per person for 7 nights exploring the lakes and canyons around Almaty, based on two sharing and excluding international flights. Official costs are low: many nationalities enter visa-free, the new QazETA travel authorisation is free, and national park entry is a small per-person charge in tenge.

Our Kazakhstan package prices

The figures below are travoHolidays package prices, November 2026. They are per person, based on two people sharing, land only (international flights excluded), and they vary by travel date, hotel and room type.

The city trip pairs the capital, Astana, with Almaty, while the nature trip focuses on Charyn Canyon, the Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake. Both can be combined or extended; see our Kazakhstan page for ideas.

Entry costs: visa-free travel, QazETA and e-visas

Entry rules depend on nationality. According to Kazakh Tourism, the national tourism body, citizens of more than 80 countries can enter without a visa, with permitted stays of 14, 30 or 90 days depending on nationality. The UK Foreign Office, for example, says British visitors can stay up to 30 days visa-free, with no more than 90 days in any 180.

Visa-exempt travellers should now apply for QazETA, a free electronic travel authorisation, on the official QazETA portal. The Foreign Office says it should be requested at least 72 hours before travel and is valid for 180 days. Checks are being phased in from 1 November 2026, travellers without one are informed rather than refused until 30 June 2027, and it becomes mandatory from 1 July 2027. Children under 16 and people over 65 are among those exempt.

Nationalities that do need a visa can use the government e-visa service at vmp.gov.kz, which requires an invitation from a Kazakh host. Kazakh Tourism lists the fee at US$60 for a single-entry tourist e-visa and US$80 for business or medical e-visas.

National park fees

Kazakhstan's national parks charge modest entry fees linked to the monthly calculation index (MCI), a government benchmark value that was set at 4,325 tenge for 2026. Tengrinews, reporting tariffs approved by the Ministry of Ecology, lists per-person entry to Charyn, Kolsai Lakes and Ile-Alatau (which includes Big Almaty Lake) at 0.2 MCI, about 865 tenge per day. Charyn's own website separately lists a sanitary and landscaping charge and a shuttle into the canyon at 500 tenge per seat each way, since private cars have not been allowed down to the canyon floor since 2019. Where park entry is part of your itinerary, we include it in your quote.

Cost components at a glance

What drives the price, and how to save

• Season: May to September is the main touring season; weekday lake excursions and the shoulder months of May, June and September tend to be quieter. Our best time to visit Kazakhstan guide covers each month.
• Private versus shared touring: private drivers and guides for the mountain lakes cost more but give flexibility on early starts and photo stops.
• Domestic flights: the Astana–Almaty leg is the largest single transport cost on a two-city trip.
• Hotel class: international chain hotels in Astana and Almaty cost more than smaller local hotels; guesthouses near the Kolsai Lakes are simpler and cheaper.
• Trip length: 6 to 10 nights is typical; staying longer in Almaty and using it as a base reduces hotel changes.

Adding extra regions

Both packages start in Almaty, so adding regions mainly means extra nights and transport. A night or two near the Kolsai Lakes softens the long drive from Almaty, the deserts and singing dune of Altyn-Emel suit an extra day with a driver, and the Silk Road monuments of Turkestan usually need a domestic flight or a long train journey. Each addition is priced individually, so ask your specialist to compare options for your dates.

Money basics

The currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT). Cards are widely used in cities, but carry some cash for rural guesthouses, markets and park services. For entry rules, airports and etiquette, read our Kazakhstan travel guide for first-timers. When you are ready, request a tailored quote and a specialist will price your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. GOV.UK — Kazakhstan travel advice: entry requirements
2. Kazakh Tourism — Tourist help: documents and visas
3. The Astana Times — Kazakhstan to begin electronic entry checks, QazETA mandatory in 2027
4. Tengrinews — Entrance fees to Kazakhstan's national parks in 2026
5. Charyn State National Nature Park — About the park