Formerly known as Alma-Ata and Verny, Almaty is the largest city in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan. While many travelers use Almaty as a starting point for their journey through the region, departing from the city shortly after arriving, Almaty is a naturally beautiful and interesting city that deserves far more attention than it gets. Spend a few days in Almaty and you’ll surely be impressed by its wealth of cultural sites, laid-back vibe, and awe-inspiring architecture.
Almaty was the capital city of Kazakhstan from 1929 until 1997 when the capital was relocated to Akmola. However, the city is still the largest commercial and cultural hub in the country with a population of over 2 million. The city has been the site of important archaeological findings from the Bronze Age, a crucial point along the Silk Road trading route, and today is considered part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the area of music. With so many incredible things to see and do throughout the city of Almaty, the best way to make the most of your experience there is to rent a motorcycle and explore on your own schedule.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Almaty. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motor scooter. This guide includes:
- Safety issues concerned with motorcycle rental in Almaty
- Whether you need an international driving permit for motorcycle hire in Kazakhstan
- The price of motorbike rental in Almaty
- Where to hire a motorbike in Almaty
- The best things to do in Almaty by motorcycle
Is It Safe to Drive in Almaty, Kazakhstan?
In general, the city of Almaty is extremely safe, even safer than most cities in the United States or Europe. The population of the city is largely university students that are very well-mannered and speak great English, which makes this city a safe and welcoming destination for English-speaking travelers. It also means that you probably won’t ever have to worry about getting your rental motorbike stolen or vandalized.
Kazakhstan also recently underwent a massive road improvement project starting with Almaty, meaning that the roads in Almaty are a pleasure to drive on. Local drivers in the area are typically very respectful and relaxed. All in all, whether you’re driving in the city of Almaty or commuting between the smaller suburban areas of Kazakhstan, you’ll probably have a fun and stress-free experience.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Hire a Motorcycle in Kazakhstan?
If you want to hire a motorcycle or any other type of motor vehicle as a foreigner in Kazakhstan, you’ll need to either obtain an international driving permit or a notarized translation of your license, with an IDP being the easier of the two to get. If you want to apply online for an IDP, you can do so here. There is a $20 application fee and it typically takes about two weeks for your permit to arrive in the mail, so you should send in your application at least two weeks prior to departing for Kazakhstan.
Once you have your IDP, it is valid for one full year. You’re required to carry a copy of your IDP along with a valid copy of your national driver’s license at all times while driving in a rental vehicle Kazakhstan.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Motorbike in Almaty?
Motorbike rental in Almaty is on the pricier side, especially for Central Asia. However, with how much fun you can have riding a motorcycle around the city, it’s definitely an experience that’s worth the price. If you’re interested in hiring a motorcycle such as a Suzuki XF 650 Freewind, you can do so for the price of around €90 per day. If that’s a little too pricey for you, you can probably find a motor scooter for rent for a bit cheaper.
If you’re interested in doing some off-roading around Almaty, you can also find quad bikes for rent, such as a Honda TRX 400, for around €220 per day. The natural terrain around Almaty makes for some great off-road adventures, so renting an ATV might be something worth considering.
Where Can You Rent a Motorcycle in Almaty, Kazakhstan?
There are several motorcycle rental shops scattered throughout Almaty, so travelers set on hiring a motorbike shouldn’t have any trouble. However, if you want to give yourself the best chance of stumbling into a rental shop, take a walk around the Koktem-3 area of the city near Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
If you plan on flying into Almaty International Airport, you should have no trouble finding a rental car right outside the terminals. However, if you’re determined to hire a motorcycle, you’re probably better off leaving the airport and looking for rental shops in the city center.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Almaty, Kazakhstan on a Rental Motorbike?
Now that you know everything you need for hiring a motorcycle in Almaty, here are some of the best things to do in the city with your rented wheels:
Green Bazaar
Start off your journey through Almaty by exploring the bustling streets of the Green Bazaar, located right next to the famous Bahat Chocolate Factory which is also certainly worth spending some time at. The Green Bazaar is the busiest street market in all of Kazakhstan and one of the cleanest street markets in all of Central Asia.
Food-lovers can spend an entire day at the Green Bazaar exploring the multitude of stalls selling a variety of Kazakh foods as well as cuisines from all across the Soviet Union. And there’s much more than just food. The Green Bazaar has all types of other vendors offering hairdressing, shoe cobbling, spiritual readings, booze, cigarettes, and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
A. Kasteyev State Museum of the Arts
This museum isn’t quite as impressive as famous art museums like the Louvre or the Guggenheim, but it’s certainly one of the more unique art museums you can find anywhere throughout the world. Established in 1935, the A. Kasteev State Museum of the Arts is the largest museum in all of Kazakhstan and undoubtedly one of the most interesting.
The museum features more than 25,000 unique pieces of art that span from all different parts of the country and represent a nice mix of past and present. There are a wealth of sculptures and paintings from the Soviet period as well as paintings from Abay Kunanbaev, one of Kazakhstan’s most famous poets.
Panfilov Park
Panfilov Park, also known as Park 28 Panfilovtsev, is an urban park located just around the corner from Ascension Cathedral, one of the most famous landmarks in Almaty. The park is verdant with spruce trees and is the best place in Almaty to get a quick hiatus from the hustle and bustle of city life.
One of the nicest features of the park is definitely the Statue of Panfilov’s 28 Guardsmen, an impressive work of art commemorating a group of soldiers who were said to have lost their lives fending off German tanks outside of Moscow during World War II.
Have a Motorcycle Adventure Through Almaty
While many travelers choose to fly into Almaty, Kazakhstan and leave the same day to journey to another Central Asian destination, those travelers don’t know what they’re missing out on. Almaty is a hidden gem filled with incredible cultural experiences, beautiful natural areas, and amazingly friendly people. And the best way to squeeze everything out of your time in Almaty is by renting a motorcycle.
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