Astana is an unusual family destination — futuristic architecture, the massive Khan Shatyr mall, and (in summer) surprisingly pleasant weather. Getting from the airport with kids is straightforward if you plan ahead.
The winter factor for families
This is the biggest consideration, and it matters more than any fare. Astana's winter temperatures regularly hit -25°C to -35°C. If you are arriving between November and March with children:
Fixed-price private transfer
NQZ Astana City Center
From€29for 2 passengers
Other destinations
- Don't wait outside for buses or app taxis
- Pre-book a transfer so the driver is inside the terminal waiting
- Have warm layers accessible, not packed in checked luggage
- The walk from the terminal door to a car is short but brutal in extreme cold
Transport options for families
App taxi (Yandex Go)
Cheap and practical, and the app quotes the fare before you confirm. Request a Comfort class for a bigger car. But: no child seats, and you will wait outside for pickup. In summer, fine. In winter, not ideal with small kids.Pre-booked transfer (recommended for families)
Priced per vehicle rather than per person, fixed at booking, with the driver waiting inside, helping with bags, and carrying child seats if you request them in advance. Check the live quote for your party size and luggage, and confirm the child seats when you book. For a family arriving in winter, this is the option that keeps everyone indoors until the car is at the door.Bus
A basic city bus — 110 ₸ per adult with an Onay card, 220 ₸ in cash, and free for children aged 7-18 with a valid school card (Astana's official fare system, transcard.kz). Genuinely cheap, but not recommended for families with luggage or small children, and a poor idea in winter.Astana with kids: what to do
- Khan Shatyr — enormous tent-shaped shopping center with indoor beach, entertainment, food courts
- Astana Expo area — futuristic buildings, open spaces in summer
- Duman Entertainment Center — aquarium, cinema, and exhibits
- Baiterek Tower — observation deck, kids love the golden ball at the top
- National Museum — well-designed, interactive for older kids
Practical tips
- Food: Kazakh cuisine is meat-heavy. International restaurants are available in the center. Kids usually enjoy plov (rice dish) and samsa (meat pastries)
- Language: Very little English spoken outside major hotels. Google Translate (download Kazakh and Russian offline packs) is essential
- Safety: Astana is very safe, even at night. Petty crime is rare
- Currency: ATMs everywhere, cards widely accepted in the city center
Our advice
Pre-book a transfer. The driver handles the bags, you get child seats, and in winter you do not expose the kids to extreme cold while waiting for transport. Transport in Astana is cheap enough across the board that the decision should turn on comfort and safety rather than on saving a few tenge — check the quote for your family and compare it against the app, but let the January weather cast the deciding vote.