Is Astana Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Astana, now renamed Nur-Sultan, is relatively safe for solo female travelers. Most areas are well lit and populated until late, and people are generally friendly. However, like in any city, it's essential to remain vigilant especially after dark and in less crowded areas. Be cautious when taking public transportation, particularly taxis. Make sure to use trusted taxi services. Also, understanding a bit of the local language or having a translation app can be helpful as English is not widely spoken outside the tourist areas.

Safety rating

3.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

3.6 /5

Based on 5 experiences from local women

Astana is currently ranked #2 safest place in Kazakhstan for solo female travellers, with an overall safety rating of 3.4 out of 5. . Check the full ranking.

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How safe is Astana?

Safety at night:Safe

Astana, now known as Nur-Sultan, is relatively safe for solo female travelers even at night. Like any other city, it does have its share of minor crimes but generally, the city center areas are safe and well-lit. Public transportation and taxis are reliable too. However, it's always smart to stay vigilant, avoid poorly lit areas and not to flaunt valuables when walking alone.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Astana, now known as Nur-Sultan, is generally safe and reliable. Buses run regularly during day hours and are quite crowded during peak hours. Metro is not yet in operation but its construction is ongoing. Taxis are also a common and convenient form of transportation in the city. Always remember to take official taxis or use ride-hailing apps for safety. Make sure to keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times, as one should do in any crowded place. Overall, the transportation system in Astana can be considered relatively safe for solo female travelers.

Street harassment:Low

Astana, now known as Nur-Sultan, is the capital city of Kazakhstan and is relatively safe for solo female travelers. Street harassment is not a common issue here compared to other cities around the world. Locals are usually hospitable and helpful, but like in any other city, it's still advisable to always stay vigilant and avoid deserted and poorly lit areas late at night. Also, learning a few phrases in Russian or Kazakh could be useful when asking for help or directions.

Petty crimes:Low

Astana (now Nur-Sultan) is generally a safe city for travelers with low instances of petty crimes such as pickpocketing or bag snatching. However, it's always wise to be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas. Having said that, crime rates have been decreasing over the years, and the city has been investing heavily into public safety. As a solo female traveler, it is always recommended to follow standard safety precautions like avoiding empty or poorly lit streets late at night.

Is Astana worth visiting?

Couple travel

Astana is a new city, built specifically as the capital. We spent one night in Astana and that was enough. I recommend visiting the mosque and the tower. About 1.5 hours from Astana is a former gulag (for women and children) - we hired a driver to take us there.

Posted: June 9, 2022

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Is Astana safe for women?

Safety index

3.6 /5

Based on 5 local experiences

Crime index

1.4 /5

Based on 5 local experiences

Astana is a quite safe place. I was/am always comfortable here. People are hospitable and nice. Sometimes they might be curious if you look different so they might want to capture it and may ask you to take a photo with them. If you’re not ok with it you can simply say no to it and it’ll be ok. Overall, people here understand some English so it wouldn’t be a big problem to express yourself.

Posted: January 21, 2025

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Astana is a pretty safe city if you behave within the frame (like everywhere else, I would say). But i think a woman should be careful while contacting men in Kazakhstan in person. Here are simple rules for a solo woman in Kazakhstan: 1. Don’t go out with a man after 12pm 2. Don’t let couriers know you’re staying alone 3. When ordering taxi, use only Yandex app where everything is official and tracked and you can share the route link with anyone 4. This one might be obvious but don’t take a drink from strangers and don’t drink too much while out

Posted: January 20, 2025

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Samal

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Hey, I’m Samal and I love travelling! I know how it might be difficult to understand the city and the culture when you are new in the country, so here I am, I’ll be more than happy to meet new people and help them as much as I can ❤️