šŸ‡°šŸ‡æ Kazakhstan - Money Manual

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Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT) :dollar:

  • šŸ‡°šŸ‡æ KZT 1 ā‰ˆ šŸ‡®šŸ‡³ INR 0.18

At the Airport :flight_departure:

Item Price Payment Method
Sim card (Beeline, Kcell) From KZT 2,000 :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash
Bus from airport (Almaty) From KZT 200 :dollar: Cash / :credit_card: Card
Taxi from airport From KZT 3,000 :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash

:bulb: Pro Tip: Use Yandex.Taxi or InDriver apps for reliable and fair-priced airport transfers.

Money Forms in Kazakhstan :currency_exchange:

  1. KZT cash :dollar:
  2. Credit/Debit cards (widely accepted in cities) :credit_card:
  3. USD cash (for emergencies) :dollar:
  4. Backup: Additional cards :credit_card:

Payment Acceptance :credit_card::dollar:

Location Cash Card
Small shops :white_check_mark: :warning: (varies)
Supermarkets :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Hotels :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Restaurants :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: (in cities)
Taxis :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: (app-based)

Activities & Transport :man_walking::taxi:

Service Payment Method
Metro (Almaty) :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash
Public buses :dollar: Cash / :credit_card: Card
Taxis :dollar: Cash / :credit_card: Card (apps)
Car rental :credit_card: Card
Tourist attractions :dollar: Cash / :credit_card: Card
Shopping malls :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash

Important Tips :bangbang:

:white_check_mark: Always choose to pay in KZT when using a card
:x: Never choose the INR value on the screen (includes high conversion fees)
:white_check_mark: Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated (5-10% in restaurants)
:white_check_mark: Keep small bills handy for local markets and taxis

Using ATMs in Kazakhstan :atm:

  • ATMs are common in cities but may be limited in rural areas
  • Major banks: Halyk Bank, Kaspi Bank, ForteBank
  • :atm: Use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls for security
  • :bulb: Some ATMs have lower withdrawal limits after dark
  • :iphone: Download Kaspi app for easy payments (widely used)

Daily Budget Guide :moneybag:

Type of Spend Starting From
Stay Budget hotels: KZT 8,000
Mid-range hotels: KZT 15,000
Food Local restaurant: KZT 2,000-3,000
Mid-range restaurant: KZT 5,000-8,000
Transport Metro/Bus ride: KZT 80-200
Short taxi ride: KZT 1,000-1,500
Sightseeing Museums: KZT 500-2,000
Major attractions: KZT 1,000-3,000

:bulb: Prices vary significantly between major cities (Almaty, Nur-Sultan) and regional areas!

Money Exchange :currency_exchange:

  • Exchange offices offer better rates than banks
  • Shopping malls have reliable exchange offices
  • :bank: Look for official exchange offices with electronic rate boards
  • :bulb: USD and EUR are easily exchangeable
  • :warning: Always count money before leaving exchange office

Cultural Considerations :mosque:

  • :mantelpiece_clock: Many businesses close earlier in smaller cities
  • :date: Reduced hours during national holidays
  • :star2: Bargaining is common in bazaars and markets
  • :atm: Always carry some cash when traveling outside major cities
  • :iphone: Popular payment apps: Kaspi.kz, Homebank

Regional Differences :world_map:

  • Almaty and Nur-Sultan: Cards widely accepted, modern payment infrastructure
  • Regional cities: More cash-dependent
  • Tourist areas: Both cash and cards usually accepted
  • Rural areas: Cash is essential

Seasonal Considerations :sun_behind_small_cloud:

  • Winter (Nov-Mar): Carry extra cash for emergency transport
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Book and pay for accommodations in advance
  • Peak tourist season: Higher prices in popular destinations
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