Almaty for visitors: money, SIM cards, safety and when to come
Practical answers before a trip to Almaty: tenge and cards, SIM cards and internet, the time zone, language, safety, altitude and weather by month, what to pack and where to stay.
By Super Admin2 min read
A short reference for the questions people ask before a first trip. We update it as things change.
Money
The currency is the tenge (₸). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and cafes, and QR payment through local banking apps is popular. Cash is needed at bazaars, on minibuses outside the city and in mountain guesthouses. Exchange offices are in the centre and at the airport; city rates are better. ATMs take international cards.
Staying connected
SIM cards are sold at the airport and in operators' shops; you need your passport to register one. Mobile internet is fast and cheap, and eSIMs are available. Wi-Fi is in cafes and hotels. Beyond Medeu and at the far lakes there may be no signal.
Time and language
The time zone is UTC+5 across the whole country. The state language is Kazakh; Russian is understood everywhere; English is spoken in the centre and at resorts, less so outside the city. A translation app solves almost everything.
Safety
Almaty is a calm city and ordinary precautions are enough: watch your bag in crowds and do not leave things in the car. Order taxis through an app. The emergency number is 112. We do not recommend drinking tap water; bottled water is everywhere.
Altitude and weather
The city lies at 700–900 m, the nearby mountains at 1,700–3,200 m. Taking the cable car to 3,200 m can bring breathlessness and a headache: take it slowly and drink water. The climate is sharply continental:
- April–May: blossom, rain, still snow in the mountains. The best time for the city.
- June–August: hot, up to +35 °C, but +20 °C in the mountains. Lake and hiking season.
- September–October: golden autumn, clear and dry. The best time for everything.
- November–March: snow in the mountains, smog in the city during inversions, skating and skiing.
Where to stay
The centre between Abay and Raiymbek avenues is most convenient: parks and museums on foot, the mountains by bus. The landmark is the Kazakhstan Hotel, where the Kok-Tobe cable car starts. On a budget, try the hostels in the centre, such as Hostel 64.
What to pack
Layers in every season, sunscreen and sunglasses, comfortable shoes, your passport (needed in the border zones at the lakes), and a charger for European sockets: type C/F, 220 V.
For getting around, see our article on transport.