How safe is Kazakhstan for travelers? From transport safety to scams, thieves and corrupt police, here's everything you need to know to have a "very nice" time in Kazakhstan.
Photo © Getty Images/cosmopol
When it comes to personal safety in the central Asian country of Kazakhstan, there are some concerns. Transport, travel scams, thieves, and corrupt police are just some of the issues you might encounter. But, being prepared is one sure way to stay safe.
Despite what you might have seen in the Borat films, Kazakhstan is an incredible destination for travelers to discover. Here are our top tips to stay safe and types of crime you should know about before traveling to Kazakhstan.
- Crime in Kazakhstan
- Places to avoid in Kazakhstan
- Is public transport safe in Kazakhstan?
- Common travel scams in Kazakhstan
- Corruption in Kazakhstan
Crime in Kazakhstan
In the 2023 Global Peace Index, Kazakhstan ranks 76 out of 163 countries when it comes to safety and peace. However, the country experienced a series of violent protests in 2022 and civil unrest remains a possiblilty.
Most urban areas are safe to travel during the day. However, you should avoid walking alone at night, as there are some urban areas where travelers have been robbed after sunset, and the general advice is to avoid walking the streets alone in the dark.
Even in a group, it's smart to avoid arguments with locals. Leave the area if a fight does break out. An extremist element does exist in and around Kazakhstan, and terrorists, including suicide bombers, have targeted civilians in restaurants and at night clubs.
Travelers have also reported unfriendly attitudes by locals toward foreigners in parts of western Kazakhstan – so travel with extra caution here if you visit.
During periods of civil unrest, the situation can become hostile in Kazakhstan. Stay across the news before you go and while you are there, and avoid large crowds which are unpredictable during periods of unrest.
Places to avoid in Kazakhstan
Areas to stay away from at night include all parts of Almaty below Tashkentskaya Street – muggings and drink spiking has been reported in nightlife areas bars.
Smaller districts within Almaty, including the Shanyrak area, should be avoided. Check with your accommodation provider for their tips and advice. Foreign travelers and residents have been attacked and mugged in Atyrau and Aktau, but security is improving.
Smaller towns like Uralsk, Taraz, Semey, Shymkent, Taldykorgan and Ust-Kamenogorsk are to be avoided after dark due to the risk of mugging. Shar, Temirtau and Stepnogorsk also may turn violent at night. Check your government's travel advice before you go, and avoid traveling anywhere with a specific warning in place.
Thieves may target Western hotels and tourist areas, so you should always keep your doors and windows locked in your accommodation; criminals may wait in unlit stairwells for their next target. Open-air markets are also hot targets for thieves, so keep your belongings secure and in sight at all times.
Is public transport safe in Kazakhstan?
Like elsewhere, public transport is a hotspot for thieves who are on the lookout for easy targets on trains, buses and at transport stations. Some unlicensed taxi drivers may take advantage of solo travelers, so be extra cautious before hopping in a cab and negotiate an appropriate fare before they drive off.
Criminals also operate at airports by finding out passengers' names through the often non-private plane lists and gaining their trust by standing with a sign with the their names when they arrive. They will then offer to take you to your hotel, but instead take you to a remote area and rob you. Provincial airports are more known for this type of activity.
Common travel scams in Kazakhstan
There are a number of common travel scams in Kazakhstan. One such scam is the "lost wallet ploy", where a thief claims to find a wallet and then tries to split the money with you. His partner saunters up and says it's his wallet, and forces you to give him money.
The twist on this scam is the person who comes looking for a lost wallet and demands you show your purse or pockets to prove you haven't stolen it. The thief then grabs all your belongings and darts away.
There is another scam where locals pose as cops and demand money from you. You can tell who's a legitimate police officer by his approach – the real ones will always show their badges or produce them upon request.
Corruption in Kazakhstan
Unfortunately, the authorities you would seek to help our if a crime ocurs are often involved in corrupt behavior.
Police are very easily bribed in Kazakhstan, partly due to low salaries, and may rob visitors by pretending to arrest them for being drunk in public places such as Atyrau and Tengiz, where such behavior is illegal.
Other public officials might also play games with travelers. In the Almaty airport, for example, visitors have reported customs officials demanding they pay up to US $500 for some vague violation.
Others might be forced to pay a fine just for leaving the country. You can reduce the likelihood of having to pay legitimate fines on things like video cameras and mobile telephones by declaring them when you arrive in the country.
Even non-corrupt officials might do some questionable things to travelers. It's not uncommon for security personnel to put foreign visitors under surveillance in their hotel rooms. This extends from tapping telephones to actually going through your belongings.
Police may also conduct random checks on the street that require you to show your passport; they don't need probable cause to search. You also may be questioned or apprehended if you photograph anything thought to be a matter of national security – so ask before you take photographs of official buildings.
Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.
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6 Comments
As a British person who has come to Almaty to live and work for the last 3 months I would say: don't let negative comments put you off. There is good and bad here, as in any city, but as a place to live it's generally good and the people are in my experience are very welcoming. Common sense should apply - again, as with any city - but don't flash the cash in a situation where there are obviously poor people around and you're unlikely to have any problems. In this country there is a massive disparity between rich and poor... the rich are super privileged (and know it) while the poor may have to get by on a few hundred $ a month. The lifestyles of western expats is alien to them. Treat people with respect and don't go looking for trouble and you won't find it.
Some general hints...
- Buses are cheap and widely used. Mechanical standards are questionable but everybody uses them. 80 tenge (about 30 cents) gets you a journey of any length. Same on the Metro, which is modern, spotlessly clean but sadly only 9 stops long. Official taxis are pretty reliable and there are good apps for firms like Eco Taxis that let you locate and book them. So-called "gypsy cabs" cruise the city streets unmarked and if you flag one down you can agree a fare between 400-1000 tenge. They are very popular among the locals but probably only if you speak some Russian. Be wary of them at night and don't get in if there are more people than just the driver in the car.
- Although KZ is nominally Muslim it is not strongly so and feels like a secular state to live in. Alcohol is freely available in bars and supermarkets though drunkenness is frowned on. Young Kazakhs are cosmopolitan people but just be sensitive to local dress codes and behaviour standards. After all, you're a guest in their country. That said, as I already mentioned, they are generally very friendly, approachable and welcoming and it's quite likely you'll get greeted at some point by somebody just to say hello and practise their English.
- The area to live is the 'upper' (southern) half of the city between Tole Bi and Al Farabi. It's where most of the modern flats are and where the bars and shopping malls are. Historically this was the "Golden Triangle" where the Soviet officials lived, the roads are a grid pattern and it's the nicest part of the city with the best air quality. Lower down the hill it gets smoggy and the housing is rather run down.
- I've never had a problem at Almaty airport, except once when some cash was stolen from out of a suitcase in hold baggage. So I carry valuables with me now. The officials do their jobs and have never asked for bribes. Avoid the taxi panhandlers in the arrivals area, they will charge what they think they can get away with, out the front of the building is an official taxi rank and they will quote you a fixed fare, usually about 3000 tenge into the city. I've never needed dollars. The traffic cops are another matter and have a terrible reputation for "spot fines". If you're driving and unlucky enough to get pulled over, act the dumb tourist and carry a spare wallet with a few thousand tenge in it. Don't give them original passports or driving licenses or they may threaten to confiscate it if they think it'll get them more money. Get laminated copies made to carry. That said if you're not driving you shouldn't have a problem with the cops.
- On driving, don't, if you can avoid it. Aside from dodgy traffic cops the driving standards are atrocious. They drive like they're the only one on the road and if they ever did pass a test they've forgotten it all by now. Pedestrian crossings are quite well respected as are white lines but that's about it. The horn is the favourite accessory but remember, the rich kids in the Range Rovers and G-Wagons have right of way at all times!
- Almaty is basically an OK town. You can walk round the nice bits, the rest of the outer sprawl you probably wouldn't want to bother anyway. There are some stunning areas of countryside outside town and in the long summers it's not unusual for people to club together to share a taxi for the day to get out. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs in town anyway so you shouldn't get too bored. Get some Russian lessons, it'll help though the educated young people and those in service industries generally speak fair English.
- The visa and labour system is a Soviet hangover, don't bother trying to understand it. You will need sponsorship from a company over here and they will handle all the formalities for you. Get them to arrange accommodation, banking and health insurance as well. There are couple of excellent English schools here, at a price of course. KZ has made a lot of progress in recent years and is ambitiously continuing to do so. Almaty is the old capital of the country on the Silk Road between China and Europe and more recently the cultural and economic capital, although the political capital itself moved to Astana. Still, it retains many cosmopolitan influences from along the way, the quality of life is far better than the 'Dodge City' badlands of the oil towns out west and if you get the chance to live and work here, go for it!
I'm interested in visiting Astana and rest assured, this article doesn't put me off.
However, what fully puts me off, and has made my mind up that I will definitely not be visiting, is that Gulmira, in the first comment, has declared 'gays and lesbians' as 'bad things'. What is equally concerning is that no one has picked up on this. Gulmira has even gone as far as to group these people with prostitutes and drugs.
Even as a heterosexual male I am unwilling to give my money to a country with such archaic opinions.
How costly is the city astana for living, i mean for daily wages (food, market items etc..)
Please I'm planning to travel to kz..for the first time, please can someone briefly tell me more things about the country,like their culture, religion, and also isn't a save place you can leave and get a job
In general, Kazakhstan is pretty safe. The chance of straight-up being mugged is very low. As was mentioned, petty crime is something to be aware of: keep your valuable stuff close to you while using public transport or being in a crowd.
Using taxi apps is very convenient nowadays such as Uber and Yandex Taxi (a trip on average is 2 USD). I'd recommend exchanging your currency in "Mig kz", they have branches pretty much everywhere. People do not use dollars in everyday life. For accommodation, try to rent a flat, I think it's the best option in terms of price/quality. The flats description online will most probably be in Russian, but Google Translate should be sufficient to understand a posting and communicate with a host. 2GIS is a very useful navigation app, Google Maps is not used that widely there. You can easily get a whole meal in a decent café for around 10 bucks. If you want to leave a tip you can, but no one will be expecting it from you.
Most people speak or at least understand both Russian and Kazakh. English will probably be spoken by 3 out of 10 people. As I said, a translator app will get you around. If you want to mingle, it also shouldn't be very hard, as locals are very interested in foreigners. Clubbing culture is very common (not sure how it's with COVID though). I'm a woman and to be honest I always went home after a club alone at night, nothing ever happened to me. But I guess it can be dangerous.
I can safely say that Kazakhstan is less homophobic than Russia. Which is not very hard to achieve lol. No laws are restricting LGBTQ rights, but also no specific laws protecting them. The community is big and welcoming if you're interested in getting to know them. There are plenty of activists who are openly gay. Work needs to be done of course, but most homophobic people are a problem for locals if they want to come out to their family. It's unheard of that a foreigner was targeted because of that. Hornet is a gay app, equivalent of Grindr. A bunch of gay clubs in major cities Almaty and Astana, you need to know someone from the community to find it.
If you're coming for work, you'll probably receive a bigger salary than locals, which is not always fair, but it's just how things are. Atyrau is the oil capital of Kazakhstan. I was there and what can I say, it's not a very nice place: dusty, the rudest people in the country. They got a nice museum though. However, if you're going to work in a respectable place in that city chances are you won't even have to go outside of your "privileged bubble" of a neighborhood.
Almaty got very cute restaurants and the nature around the town is amazing, plenty to do there. Famous places are Big Almaty Lake, Medeu, Charyn Canyon, Kok Tobe, Shymbulak and many others. Google it and see for yourself. The Caspian Sea in Aktau is beautiful. I'm personally in love with Alakol and its black sand beaches.
Black people are a rare sight in Kazakhstan, so if you're black you'll probably receive some curious glances. But you won't be attacked because of that for sure.
It's funny how people are mad about Gulmira's comment, that she left 5 years ago. Try judging the whole USA from one comment from a conservative from Alabama.
I am Kazakh and I do not agree with this article. Shame on you, author! I wish they re-write this article.
If you are visiting Kazakhstan, it is a good idea to find an open-minded, English speaking friend online first. It is a good decision to have a local friend, to whom you can trust.