Almaty — the business capital of Central Asia
Everything an international visitor needs to know before travelling: about the city, visas, transport, hotels and climate.
The largest economy in the region
Kazakhstan is Central Asia's largest economy and a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. This means free movement of goods between Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan — a combined market of more than 180 million consumers.
With a population of approximately 19 million, the country delivers steady GDP growth and is actively expanding its logistics infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is a convenient gateway for manufacturers targeting the markets of Central Asia, the South Caucasus and western China.
The business and cultural centre
Almaty is Kazakhstan's former capital and largest city, with a population of more than 2 million. It is home to the head offices of banks, trading companies and international representations, and is rightly seen as the country's financial and cultural centre.
Located at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, Almaty combines business activity with an exceptional natural setting: ski resorts, parks, world-class restaurants and a rich cultural programme make every business trip both productive and enjoyable.
How to enter Kazakhstan
Visa-free entry
Citizens of more than 70 countries — including the EU, the US, the UK, Turkey, the UAE, Japan, Korea and others — can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days.
Visa invitation
For citizens of other countries we prepare an invitation letter from the trade fair organiser. Processing typically takes 7–14 working days.
eVisa
Kazakhstan's eVisa is available through the government services portal — a convenient alternative to a consular visa for business travel.
Transit
Visa-free transit of up to 72 hours is available to transit passengers through Kazakhstan's main international airports.
Getting here and getting around
Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Kazakhstan's principal airport sits 30 minutes from the city centre and from Atakent. Daily direct flights connect Almaty with Istanbul, Frankfurt, Dubai, Beijing, Seoul, London, Moscow and dozens of other cities.
From the airport to the city, taxis booked through ride-hailing apps (Yandex Go, inDrive) are the easiest option, or we can arrange a corporate transfer for delegations.
Public transport
Almaty has one modern metro line running through the city centre, supported by a network of buses and trolleybuses. Fares are paid using the "Onay" transport card or a contactless bank card.
App-based taxis are fast and inexpensive — an average city trip costs USD 2–5. For business meetings, we can arrange a private transfer with an interpreter.
Where to stay
Premium
The Ritz-Carlton Almaty, Rixos Almaty, InterContinental Almaty and Hotel Kazakhstan. International standards of service in central locations.
Business class
Holiday Inn Almaty, Park Inn by Radisson, Mercure Almaty City Center and Renion Park. A strong balance of price and quality for business travel.
Budget
Apart-hotels, boutique hotels and apartment rentals through Airbnb and local services. A convenient option for longer assignments and smaller teams.
When to visit Almaty
| Period | Average temperature | Precipitation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (December – February) | −8 °C to −2 °C | Snow, moderate | Cold and sunny. Peak season for Shymbulak and Ak-Bulak ski resorts. |
| Spring (March – May) | +5 °C to +20 °C | Rain | Mild weather and blossom. Active trade fair and business event season. |
| Summer (June – August) | +22 °C to +32 °C | Low | Hot and dry. Ideal for outdoor activities and mountain excursions. |
| Autumn (September – November) | +5 °C to +20 °C | Moderate | "Golden autumn" with consistently warm weather through to late October. Peak trade fair season. |
What visitors should know
Currency and payment
The national currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT, ₸). The approximate exchange rate is 1 USD ≈ 450 ₸. Cashless payment is widely used: Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay are accepted at the vast majority of outlets.
Time zone
Almaty is in the UTC+5 time zone. The difference with Moscow is +2 hours, with Istanbul +2, with Beijing −3 and with New York +10 hours (in winter).
Electricity
Mains voltage is 220 V at 50 Hz. Sockets follow the European standard (type C/F). Visitors from the US, the UK and Japan will need adapters.
Language
Kazakh is the state language and Russian is the language of inter-ethnic communication. English is widely used in business settings. For delegations, we can arrange interpreters in Kazakh, Russian, English, Chinese or Turkish.
Safety
Almaty is a safe city for both tourism and business travel. Crime rates are low, central districts are well lit, and public transport runs into the late evening. Standard precautions are sufficient.
Cuisine
Kazakh cuisine features beshbarmak, manti, plov, shashlik and fermented dairy products. Almaty also has strong Uzbek, Uyghur, Korean and Georgian culinary traditions. The city is known for its high-quality restaurants — from fine dining to welcoming family-run venues.
Planning your trip?
We can assist with visa invitations, hotel bookings, transfers and putting together your trade fair itinerary.
Contact us →