Search found 46 matches

by itfcfan
Tue Feb 27, 2024 10:45 pm
Forum: Kazakhstan
Topic: Astana Airport bus to city centre
Replies: 1
Views: 773

Re: Astana Airport bus to city centre

According to news reports, since earlier this month (February 2024) buses in Astana accept payment by contactless bank card. More details in Russian here:
https://www.inform.kz/ru/oplatit-proezd ... toy-73afb4
by itfcfan
Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:07 pm
Forum: Trains
Topic: Aktau to Nukus by train
Replies: 84
Views: 27323

Re: Aktau to Nukus by train

Hi trying to find tickets from Beineu to Nukus on bilet railways website but really struggling with finding the station names. Nothing comes up when searching for Nukus - please help! Also tried the tickets.kz site but that doesn't give you an actual ticket and you need to exchange it?! Anyone had ...
by itfcfan
Sat Jul 22, 2023 5:20 pm
Forum: Trains
Topic: Almaty - Urumqi by train: reports, Q&A
Replies: 19
Views: 20132

Re: Almaty - Urumqi by train: reports, Q&A

The cross-border trains between Kazakhstan and China haven't run since March 2020. I was last in Almaty in May - I checked at Alamty 2 station and they had no information about plans for these trains restarting.
by itfcfan
Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:23 am
Forum: Kazakhstan
Topic: Air Astana and China TWOV Question
Replies: 4
Views: 1529

TWOV accepted by Air Astana check-in in Almaty

Resurrecting this old thread... I travelled to China last week from Almaty on Air Astana. I intended to make use of TWOV and was concerned how good check-in staff knowledge/training would be on this (having had to work hard to assert Timatic rules elsewhere for other destinations / airlines). I coul...
by itfcfan
Fri May 19, 2023 12:08 pm
Forum: Visas & embassy reports
Topic: Getting a Chinese visa for tourists in Astana, Kazakhstan
Replies: 6
Views: 5114

Re: Getting a Chinese visa for tourists in Astana, Kazakhstan

A Chinese visa centre opened Astana last month (April 2023): https://www.visaforchina.cn/TSE2_EN/generalinformation/news/283461.shtml The phone number (+77172799901) doesn't work currently. I called in, in person, today. The location is "Moskva Business Centre" at Dostyq 18, on the 3rd floor: https:...
by itfcfan
Wed May 17, 2023 12:15 pm
Forum: Trains
Topic: Aktau to Nukus by train
Replies: 84
Views: 27323

Re: Aktau to Nukus by train

Hi Marc, The 111X (Mangistau - Almaty) schedule shows it runs every-other-day (not daily): https://www.tutu.ru/poezda/view_times.php?np=38354f In June it runs on even days (so it's running on 12th June & 14th June, but not 13th June). The 109X (Mangistau - Aktobe) runs daily, departing 2.5 hours bef...
by itfcfan
Tue Feb 07, 2023 8:19 am
Forum: Trains
Topic: Aktau to Nukus by train
Replies: 84
Views: 27323

Re: Aktau to Nukus by train

Most long-distance trains in Kazakhstan have dining cars, but I fear they'll gradually follow the trend from Russia and downgrade from dining cars to onboard kiosks and then to nothing at all. Here's a translation of a Kazakh government statement last month following complaints about fewer dining ca...
by itfcfan
Wed Jun 08, 2022 7:27 am
Forum: Kazakhstan
Topic: Kazakhstan corona travel restrictions Q&A
Replies: 103
Views: 32828

Re: Kazakhstan corona travel restrictions Q&A

Thanks @Bakhtiyark for sharing the news about KZ lifting covid restrictions on borders. Here's an English language article with the same info from Astana Times: All COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Removed in Kazakhstan Proof of vaccination status and COVID-19 PCR tests for the Kazakh and foreign citize...
by itfcfan
Wed May 11, 2022 4:32 pm
Forum: Trains
Topic: Train travel without a passport (my experience)
Replies: 0
Views: 1784

Train travel without a passport (my experience)

Last weekend I had a trip planned from Astana to Kandyagash (western Kazakhstan) but I hadn't yet received my passport back from a visa application I made to migration police. I checked with domestic airlines in Kazakhstan (Air Astana, Qazaqair, etc) but all said for a foreigner without a Kazakh res...
by itfcfan
Wed May 11, 2022 4:10 pm
Forum: Itineraries & trip reports
Topic: Full list of Soviet sanatoriums?
Replies: 3
Views: 1288

Re: Full list of Soviet sanatoriums?

I think listing Soviet sanatoriums across Central Asia is similar to trying to list pubs in Ireland. There are so many of them, it's going to be a struggle. My in-laws in Kazakhstan are sanatorium enthusiasts. They've talked positively about sanatoriums in Saryagash, Pavlodar, Kostanay, Alakol. From...