Asia > 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Kazakhstan can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Kazakhstan; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Kazakhstan?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Kazakhstan?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.🏙️ Main Cities in Kazakhstan
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Almaty | ALA | |
| Astana | NQZ |
🚘 Car or No Car in Kazakhstan — Should You Rent One?
Kazakhstan is a country of superlatives. It’s the ninth-largest nation in the world, and the biggest landlocked state on Earth. Its sweeping landscapes stretch from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, and from the Silk Road cities of Turkestan to the modern skyline of Astana. With that much to explore, the key question is: should you rent a car in Kazakhstan?
The answer depends on your itinerary, your comfort level with long-distance driving, and whether you plan to explore beyond the main cities. Let’s explore your options.
🚗 Why Renting a Car in Kazakhstan Often Makes Sense
Kazakhstan offers incredible rewards for travellers with wheels. Here’s why renting a car can transform your adventure:
1. Access to Natural Wonders 🌄
Kazakhstan’s jaw-dropping landscapes aren’t always easy to reach by public transport. A rental car opens the door to sites like:
-
Charyn Canyon – the “Grand Canyon of Central Asia”
-
Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake – crystal mountain lakes near the Kyrgyz border
-
Altyn-Emel National Park – famous for its singing sand dunes
-
Assy Plateau – a vast, otherworldly grassland above the clouds
Buses can take you part of the way, but only a car guarantees the freedom to stop where the scenery demands attention.
5-day self-drive itinerary from Almaty
Here’s a 5-day self-drive itinerary from Almaty that covers Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy (Candy) Lake, Altyn-Emel National Park, and Assy Plateau — all popular natural highlights in southeast Kazakhstan. 🚙🌄 This plan assumes you’re renting a 4×4 from Almaty.
🗓️ 5-Day Kazakhstan Nature Loop From Almaty
🧭 Starting Point: Almaty
Best done between May and October. Roads vary from paved highways to gravel tracks — so a sturdy vehicle is a must.
Day 1 – Almaty ➜ Charyn Canyon
-
Distance: approx. 215 km (3.5 hours)
-
Highlights:
🌄 Explore the “Valley of Castles” — surreal sandstone towers
🚶♂️ Short hike down into the river gorge
🌅 Optional sunset photo stop -
Overnight: Guesthouse or eco-lodge near Charyn, or continue on to Saty village
Day 2 – Charyn Canyon ➜ Kolsai Lakes (via Saty)
-
Distance: approx. 100 km (2 hours)
-
Highlights:
🛶 Discover Kolsai Lake 1 (short hike or horseback ride)
🏞️ Mountain scenery, lush forests -
Overnight: Saty village homestay (simple, authentic Kazakh hospitality)
Day 3 – Kaindy (Candy) Lake ➜ Return to Almaty
-
Distance: approx. 90 km roundtrip + 300 km to Almaty
-
Highlights:
🔱 Visit Kaindy Lake (“sunken forest” with submerged trees)
🚗 4×4 track needed — road is rough but rewarding
🏔️ Afternoon return to Almaty (4–5 hours) -
Overnight: Hotel in Almaty (rest day)
Day 4 – Almaty ➜ Altyn-Emel National Park
-
Distance: approx. 300 km (4–5 hours)
-
Highlights:
🏜️ Altyn-Emel’s Singing Dune (one of the world’s few booming sand dunes!)
🐎 Wild kulan (Asiatic wild ass) and gazelles
🗿 Besshatyr burial mounds (Scythian) -
Overnight: Park accommodation or nearby village stay
Day 5 – Altyn-Emel ➜ Assy Plateau ➜ Almaty
-
Distance: approx. 250 km total (full day)
-
Highlights:
🌄 Drive up to the Assy Plateau – wild grasslands above 2,500m
🔭 Spot eagles, horses, and one of the world’s highest observatories
🛣️ Scenic descent back to Almaty -
Evening: Return car, relax in downtown Almaty with shashlik and chai
2. Endless Open Roads 🛣️
Once you’ve left the cities behind, long, straight stretches of road glide through wild steppe and desert. It’s ideal road-trip territory. With a car, you set the rhythm — pausing for yurts, wild horses, or that once-in-a-lifetime photo.
3. Group and Family Flexibility
For 3–4 people, renting a car can be cost-effective, especially if you plan to explore outside the city. Plus, you’ll avoid negotiating multiple taxis or tour prices.
🚫 When You Might Not Need a Car
Renting a car isn’t always the smartest move in Kazakhstan. Here’s when you might want to skip it:
1. If You’re Only Visiting Cities 🏙️
Astana (the capital) and Almaty (the cultural and economic hub) both offer efficient public transport and cheap taxis. Almaty also has a metro system. A car here adds more stress than it solves.
2. If You’re Travelling Long Distances
Astana and Almaty are over 1,200 km apart — that’s 17+ hours by car. In such cases, it’s quicker and often cheaper to fly or take the train. You won’t miss out by skipping the highway between cities.
3. If You’re Not Confident With Rough Roads
Outside key tourist areas, roads can be unpaved or repair-worn. You might need river crossings, high ground clearance, or solid 4×4 skills. If you’re unsure, hire a driver or book a guided day trip instead.
🛤️ Kazakhstan by Train — A Great Alternative
Kazakhstan’s national rail network is huge, spanning the country in a way that’s especially attractive to slow travellers and train enthusiasts. The backbone is Soviet in structure, but the introduction of modern Spanish-built Talgo trains has transformed many routes:
-
🚄 Astana to Almaty in around 12 hours — clean, fast, and comfortable. A great overnight option.
-
🚆 Routes connect to Turkestan, Aktobe, Aktau, and even into China and Russia.
-
🛏️ Sleeper trains with first and second-class cabins are popular and affordable.
Why Take the Train?
-
✅ More relaxing for long distances than driving.
-
✅ Excellent for budget travel and eco-conscious trips.
-
✅ Let’s you watch the Kazakh steppe roll by from a comfy seat or bunk — a real experience in itself.
You still need a car for remote canyons or minor roads, but for city-to-city travel — trains are perfect.
🛣️ Road Conditions and Driving Style
Urban drives (Astana, Almaty) feel modern: multilane roads, traffic lights, and functioning signs.
Rural drives are another world:
-
Roads may be rough or gravelled
-
Some fuel stations are basic or far apart
-
Cattle and camels can cross the highway 🐪
-
Potholes come unannounced
Fuel is cheap compared to Europe, but always plan ahead before a long drive into the countryside.
📄 Renting a Car in Kazakhstan
You can rent cars at major airports and city branches of companies like Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, and local firms.
What you’ll need:
-
Passport
-
International Driving Permit (IDP)
-
Credit card
-
Insurance (check offroad coverage if needed)
Best vehicle type:
🚙 SUV or 4×4 — especially if you’re visiting canyons, mountain roads, or national parks.
✈️ What About Domestic Flights?
Domestic flights in Kazakhstan are frequent and reasonably priced. They’re ideal when you’re:
-
Short on time
-
Travelling between distant cities
-
Not interested in long drives
For example:
-
Astana to Almaty: 1.5 hours by plane vs 17 hours by car.
Kazakhstan’s fast-developing airline network links most major cities and is the most efficient way to cover its huge distances.
Best of All Worlds?
Depending on how you are flying in and out of Kazakhstan, the following itinerary might work to suit the best of all options, assuming that you’ve got a return flight already booked in and out of Kazakhstan’s largest city Almaty.
Why not start by renting a car in Almaty and then taking a five-day driving tour as detailed above. Then once you finish that, spend a couple of days touring the city of Almaty before taking the Talgo train up to the capital Astana. You can do that as an overnight trip if you don’t want to spend a whole daytime on the train, but it’s also an enjoyable trip to do when you can see out the window.
You can then either fly directly back from the capital Astana to Almaty for your return home, or you can book an open-jaw so you return home directly from Astana.
🧭 Conclusion
So — should you rent a car in Kazakhstan?
✅ Yes, if you’re ready to explore beyond the cities, chase the canyons and lakes, or want maximum freedom in a land built for epic drives.
🚫 No, if you’re sticking to Astana or Almaty, or if long distances and rough terrain aren’t on your radar.
Car or No Car Rating: 🚗🏞️ Mostly Yes — rent a car for the steppe, the mountains, the canyons, and the freedom.