• Home
  • About
  • My Gear
  • Shop
  • Contact
Categories
  • Australia (6)
  • Blog & Content Creation (3)
  • Bucket List Destinations (38)
  • Digital Nomadism (44)
  • Gear (6)
  • Scotland (46)
  • Van Build (11)
  • Van Life (6)
  • Home
  • About
  • My Gear
  • Shop
  • Contact
KatieGoes
0
  • Digital Nomadism

Almaty for Digital Nomads (Your Complete Guide to the City)

  • 27th May 2022
  • 6 minute read
Almaty for Digital Nomads
Total
6
Shares
0
6
0
0

Almaty is the former capital and the largest city of Kazakhstan. It’s often treated as a stopover city for travellers to explore the many other-worldly landscapes nearby or even the other ‘Stan’ countries across the border. But what about the city itself?… Is Almaty for digital nomads?

Table of Contents
  1. How is Almaty for Digital Nomads?
    1. Language
    2. Transport
    3. Money
    4. Connectivity
    5. Community
  2. Know Before You Go
    1. Best Time to Visit Almaty
    2. Travelling from the Airport
  3. Bonus: Almaty Recommendations
    1. Working Remotely from Almaty
    2. Where to Stay in Almaty
  4. Where To Go After Almaty?
    1. Save this on Pinterest

Don’t have time to read this now? Pin this blog for later.

Almaty for Digital Nomads (Your Complete Guide to the City) 3
Medeu

ALMATY QUICK REFERENCE

Planning in a hurry? Here are recommendations for Almaty at a glance…

Where to stay in Almaty: My Hostel Almaty is a hostel for budget travellers; Renion Park Hotel is a mid-range option for those in need of their own space; Kazzhol Park Hotel is more expensive but perfect for anybody looking for convenience (and an on-site bar!).

Need insurance suitable for nomads? SafetyWing is travel insurance for nomads, by nomads. If you are unsure how long you’ll be travelling for, or you haven’t committed to any destination just yet, SafetyWing is convenient, flexible and simple.

Best SIM card: Check out Airalo for either a local, regional or global eSIM. Airalo is the world’s first eSIM supplier, so you can purchase the most suitable prepaid data plan before you’ve even arrived.


How is Almaty for Digital Nomads?

It may be random, off-the-beaten-track and a little unheard of but Almaty is a faraway, but a feasible city for digital nomads. The city offers nearby natural landmarks, reasonably strong internet connections and affordable living costs within an overwhelmingly large country that will take many day trips, weekend getaways and work breaks to experience only the surface.

Language

Generally speaking, the majority of the population in Almaty speaks Russian but not everyone speaks Kazakh. As Almaty has a greater representation of younger residents, English may be spoken to some but don’t expect many written translations or day-to-day conversations.

Transport

Almaty is a very walkable city but if you are not in the mood for stretching your legs then the transport systems are just as convenient.

Metro – Almaty has one metro line that runs from Mskva to Rayimbek Batyr. It’s a quick way to move across the city if your destination happens to be close to one of the metro stations. A single ticket costs 80 KZT (0.18 USD).

Bus – There are articulated, trolley and single-decker buses in Almaty. This is an upgrade as opposed to the marshrutkas commonly used in other Central Asian countries. The price for a journey onboard is 150 KZT (0.34 KZT) if you pay the driver directly, but 80 KZT (0.18 USD) if you have an Onay Card.

Taxis – You will not see many taxis available to hail across the city because they are hidden as so-called, ‘Gypsy Cabs’. This is the term given to those who stop when anybody stands by the side of the road with their hand extended or by waving. Depending on your destination, prices should range between 1-3 USD with ‘Gypsy Cabs’. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Yandex are also available.

TIP: If you are unable to download Yandex, try installing the app from an Apple account that is based in Central Asia. If you are creating a new account, you will need a local mobile number.

Money

The currency in Almaty is the Kazakhstani Tenge (₸) which can otherwise be abbreviated as KZT. There are many exchange offices in Kazakhstan with competitive prices, especially out with the airport and train stations. ATMs are also plentiful on the streets of Almaty.

Connectivity

Wifi Speeds – According to Ookla’s SpeedTest, Almaty has an average speed of 31Mbps. Whereas in my experience, I wasn’t receiving much higher 10Mbps. For this reason, it would be my recommendation that you purchase a local SIM card for a faster and more reliable connection.

Data Plans – Mobile SIM cards are easy to find and purchase in Almaty. There are many mobile network retail shops around the city, so you can simply walk into the store to buy a pre-paid plan on the spot. The most popular company is KCell. At the time of writing this article (April 2022), their cheapest plan was 15GB for 1 month at 2590 KZT (5.70 USD).

If convenience is your ultimate goal, check out Airalo for either a local, regional or global eSIM. Airalo is the world’s first eSIM supplier. You can purchase the most suitable prepaid data plan without visiting any shop or swapping physical SIM cards. This is the technology we digital nomads have been waiting for!

Order Your eSim

Community

Almaty is not a common destination for travellers, especially not digital nomads. Do not expect to be welcomed by an established community of people remote working from Almaty. You will have to dig a little deeper if you are to find any like-minded individuals; the Expats in Almaty is a good starting point, especially if you have any specific questions before you go.

SEE: Tbilisi for Digital Nomads (Your Complete Travel Guide)

Know Before You Go

Best Time to Visit Almaty

Almaty has a humid climate with hot summers, extreme winters and rainfall throughout the year. The temperature during spring and autumn can rise up to 15 degrees celsius, but the evenings can become very cold (below -5 degrees celsius). And obviously, winters in Kazakhstan can be severe with temperatures in Almaty frequently dropping below zero. Therefore, the best time to visit Almaty is during the summer months of June, July, August and September. This period will likely bring moderate temperatures between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, with July being the hottest.

Travelling from the Airport

The distance between the International Airport and City Centre is approximately 15 kilometres. This journey can take 25-45 minutes by car or bus.

Taxis – Of course, there are unofficial taxi drivers that will usher and call you through the arrivals hall of the airport. Ride-hailing apps such as Yandex and Uber will be much cheaper.

Bus – There are several buses that run between the airport and the city centre of Almaty. You can choose between bus numbers 79, 86, 92 and 106. The tickets can be purchased via the bus driver for 150 KZT (0.34 USD).

Almaty for Digital Nomads (Your Complete Guide to the City) 4
Zenkov’s Cathedral
READ: The Travel Guide to Visiting the Stan Countries

Bonus: Almaty Recommendations

Working Remotely from Almaty

You’ve probably not come across much information regarding Almaty as a destination for digital nomads because the city is simply not known for its high-speed internet connections and thriving community of travellers. All this to say, Almaty can be done as a working digital nomad. It’s just not as simple as locations such as Canggu and Tbilisi.

Suggested Coworking Spaces –

  • SmartPoint

Suggested Coffee Shops –

  • Coffee Room
  • Daily Coffee
  • Crazy Coffee
  • Cafe Apa Katya

Where to Stay in Almaty

Budget

My Hostel Almaty has dorm beds with privacy curtains but a common kitchen to meet fellow and like-minded travellers.

Book Now

Mid-Range

Renion Park Hotel has the convenience of a restaurant, fitness centre, indoor pool and sauna. Plus, they serve a free breakfast!

Book Now

High-End

Guests at Kazzhol Park Hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast in the morning, a fitness centre in the afternoon and an on-site bar in the evening.

Book Now
Find More Accommodation in Almaty
SIMILAR: The Coliving Spaces that Digital Nomads Should Know About

Where To Go After Almaty?

Baku – Direct flights fly from Almaty to Baku twice weekly. The flight time is approximately 4 hours. Read the Baku for Digital Nomads Guide before you go.

Istanbul – You can normally choose between any day of the week to fly from Almaty to Istanbul in Turkey. For example, both Air Astana and Turkish Airlines operate a 6-hour flight between the two destinations. Istanbul is a great city for digital nomads too!

Looking to go further? Check out the digital nomad guides for Dubai, Belize, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Morocco and the Adriatic Coast.

Let’s go!
@katie.maree


Did You Know…

If you purchase through a KatieGoes link, you still pay the same but we receive a small amount. This contribution helps keep this blog moving – win, win! Nevertheless, I only recommend personal favourites…

🎒 My Gear: Check my travel essentials for backpacking, van life and outdoor adventures.

📱 Airalo: Always be connected with a super simple eSim for almost every country!

💰 Wise: Send or receive money internationally for minimal fees – life saviour!

👫 GetYourGuide: Find group tours, guides and day trips at unbeatable prices.


Save this on Pinterest

Do you not have time to read this travel guide now? Click on the Save button to pin this article for later.

The Ultimate Guide - Almaty for Digital Nomads (Includes Cowork, Transport, Internet & Money)
Almaty for Digital Nomads (Kazakhstan)
Total
6
Shares
Share 0
Pin it 6
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Katie

Hey! I'm a Scottish backpacker turned digital nomad with a passion for the outdoors, van life, and international travel. I travelled 100 countries before I turned 30 years of age. Now... Let's go everywhere!

You May Also Like
Tips for Full-Time Travel
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism

Nomad Know-Hows: 15 Insider Tips for Full-Time Travel

  • 24th February 2024
Melbourne for Digital Nomads
View Post
  • Australia
  • Digital Nomadism

Melbourne for Digital Nomads: Your MOST Comprehensive Guide

  • 3rd July 2023
Maafushi for Digital Nomads
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism

How YOU can Work from The Maldives: Maafushi for Digital Nomads

  • 12th March 2023
Best Cafes in Pokhara to Work as a Digital Nomad
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism

TOP 5: Best Cafes in Pokhara to Work as a Digital Nomad

  • 21st December 2022
Kathmandu for Digital Nomads
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism

Kathmandu for Digital Nomads: Everything You Should Know

  • 21st December 2022
Living in Pokhara as a Digital Nomad
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism

Living in Pokhara as a Digital Nomad: The COMPLETE Guide

  • 18th December 2022
Barbados for Digital Nomads
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism

Barbados for Digital Nomads: Complete Bridgetown Guide

  • 12th December 2022
Best Cafes to Work in Kathmandu
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism

9 Best Cafes to Work in Kathmandu as a Digital Nomad

  • 10th December 2022
2 comments
  1. Pingback: Tbilisi for Digital Nomads (Your Complete Travel Guide) - Katie Goes
  2. Pingback: Visiting the Stan Countries: The Five Stans of Central Asia - Katie Goes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Author
Katie
Hey! I'm a Scottish backpacker turned digital nomad with a passion for the outdoors, van life, and international travel. I travelled 100 countries before I turned 30 years of age. Now... Let's go everywhere!
Instagram 0
Pinterest 2K
BUY KATIE A BEER
Most Popular
  • NC500 Road Trip 1
    NC500 Road Trip: A Highlander’s Guide to Scotland’s North Coast
    • 5th January 2022
  • NC500 Overnight Stops 2
    NC500 Overnight Stops: The Ultimate List of Camper Park-Ups
    • 13th January 2022
  • Campervan Wifi: Netgear Nighthawk M2 Router 3
    Campervan Wifi: The Best Van Life Internet Setup
    • 31st October 2021
  • Ben Nevis: Top Things To Do in Fort William 4
    10 AWESOME Things To Do In Fort William (Mostly Free!)
    • 16th August 2022
  • Edinburgh for Digital Nomads 5
    Edinburgh for Digital Nomads: Your Most Practical Guide!
    • 15th June 2022
Google Map Legend of the Scottish Highlands on iPhone

Scottish Google Map Legend (Highlands & Islands)

Shop now
Other Posts
  • Digital Nomad Designer
    How I Became a Digital Nomad Designer in 3 Months
    • 30th June 2020
    • 9 minute read
Products
  • Campervan Wiring Diagram Campervan Wiring Diagram: Van Conversion Schematic £18.00
  • Van Conversion Plumbing Diagram Van Conversion Plumbing Diagram: Simple Water System £6.50
  • Scottish Google Map Legend Scottish Google Map Legend (Highlands & Islands) £5.00
Social Links
Instagram 0 Followers
Pinterest 2K Followers
BUY KATIE A BEER
Disclosure
KatieGoes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to allow sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com. We earn from qualifying purchases.
Read More
Sitemap
  • About
  • Shop
  • Legal Stuff
  • Contact

Input your search keywords and press Enter.