Location Guides for Compare Car Rentals

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Car Rentals

The need for a good strong vehicle is well known by many Canadians, whose climate is not dissimilar to that of Kazakhstan. Outside of Kazakhstan’s main cities, roads and highways are not in great shape and can easily become rutted as the winter months take their toll. However self drive car rental or cars with drivers are available in the capital city of Astana, with the city airport being the easiest location to collect a car rental.

Highlights

Since becoming the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997, Astana has embarked on a progressive infrastructure program, which has included some stunning works of architecture. The Bayterek Tower is one such example, but visitors are also taken by the cities most impressive buildings of the Ak Orda Presidential Palace and the Italian design Central Concert Hall.

Astana is one location in the country that has seen change from a provincial city to the nation’s capital, but historically has always been an important staging post on the old Silk Road trading route across Central Asia. Shymkent to the south of Astana is another strategically important place, as was Turkistan, which still attracts pilgrims every year.

But locally much of the trading is done on the Avenue of the Republic where smart coffee houses, restaurants and nightclubs thrive. The Ishim River Waterfront is another focus of entertainment and among the great facilities here is the Oceanarium.

Exploring by Car

With much done in recent year to make big improvements in the infrastructure of Kazakhstan, a better system of roads in and around the major cities is beginning to emerge. However, there are still quite rough roads to negotiate out in the countryside, so travelers intending longer journeys away from Astana and Almaty should be cautious. Driving is done on the right. Be aware there is always the potential for wayward driving in this region, so hiring a local driver with a car rental may well be the best option at little extra cost.

Tourist Season and weather

There is no question as to the best time to visit Kazakhstan – right in the middle of the year, from June through to August is the clear winner. This is the time when the temperatures reach a pleasant middle to high 20s (Celsius) and places such as the Ishim River are looking their best. The same river freezes over in winter and while that provides a convenient way to walk from one bank to the other, it’s also a time of plummeting temperatures, which can go as low as minus 22.