Accommodation in Kazakhstan
Hotels, hostels, guesthouses, yurts and apartments: what to expect and how to budget
Last reviewed on 2 November 2026
You can sleep in almost any style in Kazakhstan: international five-star hotels in Almaty and Astana, Soviet-era hotels being slowly renovated, family guesthouses, modern hostels and seasonal yurt camps in the mountains. Prices sit well below Western European levels in most places, but standards vary. This page gives rough price ranges and tips that apply across the country, and shows where to base yourself for the main sights.
Rough Price Ranges (per night)
A budget traveller can expect to pay around USD 10–20 for a bed, and a comfortable mid-range double usually costs USD 50–100.
- Hostel dorm bed: USD 8–20
- Budget hotel or guesthouse double: USD 25–50
- Village guesthouse with meals: roughly USD 15–40 per person
- Mid-range hotel double: USD 50–100
- International four-star: USD 90–160
- Five-star hotel: USD 180–400
- Yurt camp (full board): USD 30–75 per person
- Short-term apartment: USD 30–80
These figures are indicative and move with the season and the tenge exchange rate. Prices peak in the mountains in June–August, during Nauryz week in late March and in the Shymbulak ski season from late December to early March. Check the best time to visit before you fix dates, because the busiest months differ by region.
Types of Accommodation
Most travellers mix city hotels with one or two nights in a village guesthouse near the lakes or canyons.
International Hotels
Almaty and Astana both have global chains such as Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson, Holiday Inn and Rixos, plus several local five-star properties. Standards match those chains elsewhere: reliable internet, English-speaking staff, buffet breakfast, fitness rooms and 24-hour reception.
Local Mid-Range Hotels
Regional capitals such as Shymkent, Aktau, Turkestan, Karaganda and Oskemen have plenty of locally owned hotels at USD 40–90. Rooms are generally comfortable, with private bathrooms and often breakfast, though design and service can feel dated. English may be limited outside the largest cities, so a translation app helps.
Hostels
Hostels are common in Almaty and Astana and exist in most tourist cities. Expect Wi-Fi, a shared kitchen and staff who speak at least some English. They are often the best places to meet other travellers and find people to share a car to Charyn Canyon, the Kolsai Lakes or Mangystau.
Guesthouses & Homestays
In smaller towns and near national parks, guesthouses and homestays are often the only option: Saty village near Kolsai, Zhabagly near Aksu-Zhabagly and the villages around Borovoe. Expect home-cooked meals, sometimes a banya steam bath, and hosts who know the surrounding area well.
Yurt Camps
Seasonal yurt camps operate from roughly May to September in mountain pastures and desert areas. Camps usually offer shared yurts with mattresses on the floor, basic shared toilets and meals cooked on site. It is a cultural experience as much as a place to sleep, and our page on Kazakh traditions explains the customs you may meet.
Apartment Rentals
Short-term apartments are widespread in Almaty, Astana and Shymkent, on Booking.com, Airbnb and local listing sites such as Krisha.kz. They suit stays of three nights or more: you get more space, a kitchen and often a lower nightly cost. Check-in can be informal, so read recent reviews and confirm the address before you arrive.
Resort & Spa Hotels
Borovoe (Burabay) and Shymbulak have resort hotels aimed at domestic tourists, with pools, spa treatments and restaurants on site. These can be good value outside school holidays, when prices and occupancy both drop.
Where to Stay in Kazakhstan's Main Destinations
The right base depends less on hotel quality than on how far you are from the sight you came for.
Almaty
Staying between Panfilov Park and the Green Bazaar puts you within walking distance of many sights, restaurants and metro stations. The Medeu and Shymbulak valley is 30–45 minutes from the centre by taxi and is worth a night or two if you are skiing or hiking. See the Almaty guide.
Astana
The left bank around the Bayterek has the modern architecture and most business hotels; the right bank has the older centre and some cheaper hotels. Astana has two main railway stations, Nurly Zhol and Astana-1, so check which one your train uses. The new LRT links the airport with Nurly Zhol. Winters are long and very cold, so stay close to a bus or LRT stop.
Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy
Stay in Saty village, the base for both Kolsai and Lake Kaindy. Almaty is 5–6 hours away, so a night or two in Saty beats a single very long day. Rooms are limited in summer, so book ahead.
Aktau and Mangystau
Aktau has the hotels and the airport, and is the base for every trip into Mangystau. In the desert itself expect to camp or use very basic rooms, which your tour operator can arrange. Aktau uses numbered microdistricts instead of street names, so save the exact address and a map pin.
Shymkent, Turkestan and Taraz
Shymkent has the widest choice in the south, and Turkestan is an easy day or overnight trip. Turkestan has a growing number of hotels near the Karavansaray complex and the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Taraz works as an overnight stop between Almaty and Shymkent.
Booking Tips
- Book ahead for Nauryz and national holidays. Domestic travel spikes and budget options fill up first.
- Read recent reviews, not the brochure. Soviet-era hotels can look impressive in photos and feel tired in person; reviews from the last six months are the best reality check.
- Confirm what "breakfast included" means. At smaller hotels this can range from a full buffet to instant coffee and bread.
- Check the entry rules. Our visa guide covers the current rules for foreign visitors, including what to ask your host.
- Bring cash for small places. Most city hotels accept cards, but village guesthouses may take cash only, and rural ATMs are unreliable. The money guide explains cards and cash.
- Save the address in Russian or Kazakh. Names on booking sites do not always match street signs, and drivers will need the local form.
What to Expect in a Room
Across most price points you can expect a private bathroom, hot water and Wi-Fi. Central heating is strong in winter and often cannot be adjusted, so a window left ajar is normal. Air conditioning is common in new and mid-range hotels but not universal in older buildings.
Plugs are European two-pin (Types C and F) at 220V, 50Hz. Most laptop and phone chargers work without a converter, but a simple plug adapter is useful if you are coming from outside mainland Europe.
Accommodation in Kazakhstan: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hotel cost in Kazakhstan?
A mid-range double usually costs USD 50–100 a night, a budget hotel or guesthouse double USD 25–50, and a hostel dorm bed USD 8–20. Five-star rooms in Almaty and Astana run from about USD 180.
Where should I stay in Almaty?
Stay between Panfilov Park and the Green Bazaar if you want to walk to sights, restaurants and metro stations. Choose the Medeu and Shymbulak valley for a night or two if you are skiing or hiking.
Where do you stay to visit Lake Kaindy and the Kolsai Lakes?
Saty village is the usual base for both. Almaty is 5–6 hours away by road, so most people spend at least one night in a Saty guesthouse. Book ahead in summer.
Can you stay in a yurt in Kazakhstan?
Yes. Seasonal yurt camps run from roughly May to September in mountain pastures and desert areas, typically USD 30–75 per person with meals. Facilities are basic, with shared toilets and mattresses on the floor.
Can I pay for accommodation by card in Kazakhstan?
Most city hotels take foreign cards. Village guesthouses and homestays may accept cash only, so carry enough tenge before you leave town.
What plugs does Kazakhstan use?
Kazakhstan uses European two-pin plugs, Types C and F, at 220V and 50Hz. Most phone and laptop chargers work with a simple plug adapter.