Kazakhstan by train
Trains - Tickets - RoutesA Travel Guide For Train Travel In Kazakhstan.
Here you will find information for Kazakhstan about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets and more.
Useful Information
Population: 18.04 million
Currency: Tenge
Language: Kazakh, Russian
Capital: Nur-Sultan
Country code: +7
Time zone: Kazakhstan Eastern Standard Time, Kazakhstan Western Standard Time
Train Companies
The rail network in Kazakhstan is operated by the state railway company – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ).
Train Tickets
Buy your train tickets for Kazakhstan online at tickets.kz.
Buy your train tickets online at OMIO and compare trains, buses & flights.
Rail Passes
There are no rail passes available for Kazakhstan.
TrAIN tYPES
There are two different train types in Kazakhstan, old Sovjet slow trains and new highspeed trains.
Sovjet trains are slow and more authentic trains.
They offer 4 different classes:
- Obshy – Seats only
- Platzkart – open car with bunk beds
- Kupe – 4-bed compartment
- Lyux – 2-bed compartment
Talgo trains are high-speed trains that are used on some routes.
They offer 2 different classes:
- Kupe – 4-bed compartment
- Lyux – 2-bed compartment
All trains are equipped with a Samovar with hot boiling water for coffee or tea and a restaurant wagon.
There are train connections between Nur- Sultan, Kazakhstan, and Moscow, Russia.
Train connections between Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan run 3 times a week.
Routes
Frequently Travelled Routes In Kazakhstan
National
| From > To |
Duration (h) |
Changes | Transport |
| Nur-Sultan to Almaty | 15:00 | Direct | Train |
| Nur-Sultan to Karaganda | 2:33 | Direct | Train |
| Almaty to Aktobe | 33:42 | Direct | Train |
| Almaty to Aral | 33:14 | Direct | Train |
International
| From > To |
Duration (h) |
Changes | Transport |
| Nur-Sultan to Moscow, Russia | 54:50 | 1 | Train |
| Nur-Sultan to Novosibirsk, Russia | 24:52 | Direct | Train |
| Almaty to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | 5:00 | Direct | Bus |
| Almaty to Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 20:14 | 1 | Train |
Kazakhstan travel routes
Main Train Stations
- Almaty
- Nur-Sultan
- Aktobe
- Karaganda
- Uralsk
Good to know
Best Time To Travel To Kazakhstan
We recommend traveling to Kazakhstan anytime from April – June and September – October, the country’s spring and summer months. Kazakhstan has extremely hot summers and cold winters. In the springtime, the landscape brightens up with poppies and tulips, and in the fall, the changing colors of the trees make for a great backdrop amongst the mountains. The temperatures are perfect during these months making city sightseeing and steppes worth visiting.
During the country’s spring and fall months, hiking is not quite possible as the passes are still covered by snow, but throughout the summer Altyn Emel and Charyn Canyon are great for hiking and exploring the steppe region. The Altai Mountains and Tien Shan Mountains are reachable in summer and offer amazing views.
Kazakhstan offers plenty of activities for every traveler, such as hiking, biking, skiing, eagle hunting, horseback riding, ice fishing, rafting, and watching the famous Kokpar. Kokpar is essentially dead goat polo often played on National holidays and also played in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
- High Season: July – August
- Low Season: November – March
Accommodation In Kazakhstan
Booking
The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE
Hostelworld
If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE
Guidebooks For Kazakhstan
Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend not to travel without insurance. Don't fret! World Nomads offers many different travel insurance coverage plans to suit your trip best. > BUY HERE
