Mid-Range Travel Guide: Astana

Accommodation

$45-90 per night

Mid-range hotels, private rooms in boutique guesthouses, business hotels

Food & Dining

$25-50 per day

Mix of local restaurants, hotel dining, casual international cuisine, cafes

Transportation

$12-25 per day

Combination of taxis, ride-sharing apps, occasional car rentals, some public transport

Activities

$20-45 per day

Paid attractions, guided city tours, cultural experiences, entertainment venues

Eat at local Kazakh cafeterias instead of international restaurants (typically 60-70% cheaper)

Use public buses and walking instead of taxis (saves 70-80% on transportation costs)

Book accommodation outside the central Esil district for 30-50% lower rates

Shop at local markets and cook some meals if staying in places with kitchen access

Take advantage of free attractions like parks and public architecture viewing

Travel during shoulder seasons for 20-30% savings on accommodation

Use ride-sharing apps instead of hotel taxis (typically 40-60% cheaper)

Only eating in hotel restaurants and tourist areas (typically 100-200% markup over local options)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the public transport system (3-4x more expensive)

Booking accommodation at the last minute during peak business travel periods (can cost 50-100% more)

Not factoring in winter heating costs and seasonal price fluctuations for accommodation