Astana Guided Tours and Attraction Visits
Guided tours and attraction visits in Astana
Visitors to Astana tend to ask the same few questions: which tour covers the big sights, which attractions have guides, and what is actually open. The answers below draw on the city tourism site and secondary reports, so prices in tenge (KZT) are approximate and worth confirming.
Which tour covers the whole city?
The RedBus double-decker is the only scheduled city circuit, listed by visitastana.kz. It lasts roughly 1.5 to 2 hours and leaves at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00. Adults pay 6,000 KZT, and children, pensioners and some other groups pay 3,000 KZT. Commentary comes in Kazakh, Russian and English, and the roof opens when the weather allows. It is a set-departure tour rather than an all-day pass, so arrive early. The official listing is at visitastana.kz .
Can I join a guided visit inside the Palace of Peace?
Yes. The 62 m pyramid designed by Norman Foster in 2006 offers guided visits in Kazakh, Russian and English. Some visitors say Russian dominates, so ask for English in advance. Hours run from about 10:00 to 18:00, a little later in summer. Reported tickets range from 650 to 1,500 KZT.
What about the National Museum?
The museum on Independence Square is open Tuesday to Sunday, usually 10:00 to 18:00, and closed Monday. Foreign visitors pay a higher tier than locals, and reports run from about 700 to 2,000 KZT, with the Gold Halls and the Golden Man of Issyk as an add-on. Ask the ticket desk about English guides.
Is there a tour of Astana Opera?
A daytime tour is not confirmed. Phone the box office on +7 7172 70-96-10 and ask. Evening performances are the safe choice.
What happened to the Nur Alem sphere?
The giant glass sphere at Mangilik El 55/13 housed a future-energy museum until December 2024. It is now the International AI Centre (alem.ai), and the Singularity Museum is on the ground floor. Listed hours are Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 19:00 and Saturday to Sunday 10:00 to 20:00, with Monday closed. Check the Nur Alem page before travelling.
Can I go inside Ak Orda?
No. The presidential palace is closed to the public, but you can see it from Nurzhol Boulevard.
Are private guides available?
Yes, several local operators offer private city tours. We do not recommend a particular company. Look for recent reviews, a written price and a clear list of included tickets. You can compare options through GetYourGuide .
Cold-weather planning
On tours between November and March, temperatures can sink to -30C or below, so open-top decks are punishing. Wear thermal layers and a windproof coat, and choose indoor stops. On foot, take a warm-up break about every 20 minutes.
Moving between sights
The Tarlan Astana light rail charges 200 KZT per ride and runs about 06:00 to 23:00. Buses charge 110 KZT by card or QR and 220 KZT for cash payers, through 30 November 2026.
Read more: Sightseeing in Astana and walking tours .