Home › Day Trips
Day Trips from Astana

Day Trips from Astana

The best excursions and trips you can do in a day

Home › Day Trips
Astana's steppe landscape gives way to surprising variety within a two-hour radius. From the ancient granite outcrops of the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve to Soviet industrial towns frozen in time, the surroundings offer a stark contrast to the capital's futuristic skyline. Most day trips range 50-200km, making early starts manageable even in harsh astana weather. Local marshrutkas and trains run frequently enough to ditch the tour groups, while rental cars unlock the region's abandoned settlements and birdwatching spots that most visitors miss. Beyond the administrative capital, you'll find Kazakhstan's quieter stories: salt lakes that turn pink in summer, Kazakh war memorials in Russian-speaking towns, and herders who still move camels across the steppe. These trips aren't just add-ons to things to do in astana - they're essential for understanding how this young capital fits into ancient steppe culture. The best part? You'll share the journey with locals heading to dachas or visiting relatives, not camera-toting tourists.

Full-Day Trips

Worth dedicating a whole day to explore.

Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve

$65-85 including park fees and guide

Central Asia's biggest pelican breeding ground explodes with flamingos from April to October. The pink lakes and granite islands feel like Kazakhstan's answer to African safaris, minus the crowds.

Distance
130km south
Travel Time
1.5 hours by car
Total Duration
10-11 hours
Transport
Take bus 300 to Korgalzhyn village, then local taxi (negotiate 5,000 KZT round trip). Rental car preferred.
Flamingo viewing at Lake TengizUNESCO-listed steppe ecosystemSaiga antelope spotting in early morning
Best for: Birdwatchers and photographers
Book the ranger station's Soviet-era van if you don't have 4WD - they'll pick up from village for 3,000 KZT extra

Borovoe (Burabay) National Park

$40-55 including transport and lunch

Pine forests and myth-shrouded rocks break the steppe monotony. Locals treat this as Astana's summer house, but weekday visits mean empty beaches around Lake Borovoe.

Distance
240km northwest
Travel Time
2.5 hours by train
Total Duration
10-12 hours
Transport
Train to Shchuchinsk (3.5 hours), then 40-minute bus. Or direct bus from Saparzhai station at 7:30 AM.
Zhumbaktas rock formationLake Borovoe swimmingHiking to Abylai Khan rock
Best for: Families and hikers
Skip the main beach - walk 20 minutes north for secluded swimming spots where locals go

Stepnogorsk Ghost Town

$30-45 including museum entry

A closed Soviet bioweapons city turned quiet provincial town. The abandoned military installations and intact 1980s architecture make for eerie exploration.

Distance
140km northeast
Travel Time
1.5 hours by car
Total Duration
8-9 hours
Transport
Shared taxis from Astana's Sayran station (2,000 KZT per seat) or marshrutka 122
Abandoned military complexSoviet murals in living neighborhoodsLocal museum's bioweapons exhibit
Best for: Urban explorers and history ensoiasts
The abandoned buildings are technically off-limits - ask at the town's single hotel for unofficial tours

Esil River Delta

$25-35 including fish lunch

Where Astana's river meets endless steppe. Local fishermen sell freshly caught carp while migrating birds use the delta as a highway between Siberia and Africa.

Distance
70km west
Travel Time
1 hour by car
Total Duration
7-8 hours
Transport
Marshrutka 150 from Astana's old station, get off at Karaotkel village
River delta birdwatchingFresh fish lunch with fishermenSunset over the steppe
Best for: Nature lovers and anglers
Bring cash - fishermen don't take cards and will clean your catch for 500 KZT

Shortandy Village

$20-30 including bakery treats

A German-speaking village that survived Stalin's deportations. The Lutheran church and German bakeries remain, serving black bread alongside Kazakh beshbarmak.

Distance
50km north
Travel Time
45 minutes by car
Total Duration
6-7 hours
Transport
Regular buses from Astana's Saryarka station every 30 minutes
St. John's Lutheran ChurchGerman-Kazakh bakeryLocal history museum
Best for: Culture seekers and foodies
Visit on Sunday morning to catch the small German service - even if you don't understand, the singing is haunting

Akkol Salt Lake

$35-50 including spa treatment

Kazakhstan's Dead Sea offers buoyant swimming and therapeutic mud. The pink hue in late summer comes from salt-loving algae, creating Instagram magic without filters.

Distance
110km southeast
Travel Time
1.5 hours by car
Total Duration
8-9 hours
Transport
Hourly buses to Akkol town, then 20-minute taxi
Floating in salt waterTherapeutic mud treatmentsEmpty beaches on weekdays
Best for: Wellness seekers and swimmers
Bring old swimwear - the salt stains permanently. Local ladies sell 5-liter bottles of mud for 1,000 KZT

Half-Day Options

Shorter excursions when time is limited.

Astana EXPO Lake

$15-20

The post-EXPO site transformed into a local recreation spot. The glass sphere and surrounding wetlands attract city birds not found in the center.

Duration
3-4 hours
Transport
Bus 10 or 12 from city center
Nur Alem sphere museumLake kayakingSteppe birds in city limits

Turkish Village (Kazyna Ethno-Center)

$25-35

A recreated Kazakh village with yurt stays, horse games, and proper beshbarmak. Close enough for dinner and back by city nightlife.

Duration
4-5 hours
Transport
20-minute taxi from city center
Traditional yurt experienceHorse milk tastingKazakh games demonstration

Yesil River Cycling

$10-15

New bike paths follow the river through Astana's green belt. Weekend mornings see locals fishing and jogging along paths that feel miles from the city.

Duration
2-3 hours
Transport
Rent bikes at Keruen Mall
Riverfront cyclingLocal fishermen interactionCity views from bridges

Day Trip Tips

Make the most of your excursions.

  • Start early - even summer astana weather can swing from 15°C to 35°C, and most buses leave by 7 AM
  • Download 2GIS app for real-time bus locations - routes change frequently and Google Maps is often wrong outside the capital
  • Bring cash in small denominations - ATMs disappear 50km from Astana and vendors rarely have change
  • Pack layers regardless of season - steppe wind cuts through everything, even when astana weather seems mild
  • Book marshrutka seats the day before for weekend trips to Borovoe - they fill with city families escaping to dachas
  • Learn basic Russian for villages - English is non-existent and Kazakh varies significantly from Astana's version
  • Check train schedules at tickets.kz - regional trains still run on Soviet timetables that haven't been updated online
  • The question 'is astana safe' extends to day trips - solo travel is fine, but avoid abandoned buildings without local guidance

Explore Activities in Astana

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.