Kazakhstan, a vast country of stunning steppe landscapes, futuristic cities, and deep nomadic traditions, offers a unique blend of modernity and heritage. Whether you’re exploring the cosmopolitan streets of Almaty, marveling at the futuristic skyline of Nur-Sultan (Astana), or venturing into the breathtaking Charyn Canyon, knowing how to access cash is essential. While Kazakhstan has a well-developed banking system with widespread card acceptance in cities, cash is still commonly used in rural areas and local markets. This guide covers everything you need to know about cash and ATMs in Kazakhstan, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a smooth travel experience.
Where to find ATMs in Kazakhstan?
You can find ATMs in Kazakhstan in:
- Urban Areas: Cities such as Almaty, Nur-Sultan (Astana), and Shymkent have a dense network of ATMs, particularly in city centers, shopping areas, and near bank branches. Major banks like Halyk Bank, Kaspi Bank, and Sberbank operate extensive ATM networks throughout the country.
- Tourist Spots: Popular destinations like the Medeu Skating Rink, Charyn Canyon, and the Bayterek Tower have ATMs nearby, often within or near tourist facilities. ATMs are commonly found in shops, transportation hubs, and nearly all banks.
- Rural Areas: In smaller villages and remote regions, ATM availability can be limited. It’s advisable to carry sufficient cash when traveling outside major cities.
Best ATMs to use in Kazakhstan for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Kazakhstan are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Halyk Bank,
- Kaspi Bank,
- Bereke Bank, and
- Nurbank.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Kazakhstan.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Kazakhstan, some ATMs may ask Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or, Charge in KZT).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate. Now if you ‘Accept’, you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you Decline, the ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in KZT’.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Kazakhstan?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Kazakhstan. ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, and Union Pay cards. One bank ATM accepts only Visa cards. Others like Maestro, Plus, Cirrus, JCB, American Express, UnionPay, Diners, Discover and Rupay cards are generally not accepted.
What are the ATM opening hours
Most ATMs operate 24/7.
What are ATMs called
ATMs in Kazakhstan are usually found by a signage of word ‘Bankomat’ is widely used or signage has bank name without the words ‘ATM’ or ‘Bankomat’.
Language options at ATMs
ATMs in Kazakhstan typically offer Kazakh, Russian and English as the primary languages. If you’re not familiar with these languages, using live translation via Google Translate’s camera function can be handy; however, proceed cautiously as translations may not be perfect.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Kazakhstan?
ATMs in Kazakhstan dispense cash in Kazakhistani Tenge (KZT). Some ATMs also offer the option to withdraw US Dollars.
ATM withdrawal limits in Kazakhstan?
ATMs in Kazakhstan have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of KZT 100,000 per transaction. Some ATMs have a daily withdrawal limit of KZT 1.5 million while some ATMs do not have daily withdrawal limits for foreign card holders.
ATM Fees in Kazakhstan
There are many fee-free ATMs in Kazakhstan. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Kazakhstan do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. so there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Kazakhstan as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Kazakhstan. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Kazakhstan
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Kazakhstan?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Kazakhstan. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 100+ countries including Kazakhstan.
Safety at ATMs
Kazakhstan is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, and ATMs are widely available in urban areas. However, there have been reports of ATM-related fraud, including card skimming and unauthorized transactions. To minimize risks, it’s advisable to use ATMs located within bank branches or well-lit, populated areas. Be vigilant for any unusual devices attached to ATMs, which could indicate skimming attempts. Additionally, avoid using ATMs at night or in isolated locations. Be cautious of anyone offering assistance at ATMs, as this could be a tactic to distract and steal your information or cash. Regularly monitoring your bank statements can help detect any unauthorized transactions promptly.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Kazakhstan?
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Kazakhstan. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Kazakhstan do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. so there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Kazakhstan as a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Kazakhstan.
Bitcoin ATMs
As of now, there are no known Bitcoin ATMs operating in Kazakhstan.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Kazakhstan
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
Citibank: No Citibank ATMs.
Barclays: No Barclays ATMs.
HSBC: There are no HSBC ATMs here.
Standard Chartered: No Standard Chartered ATMs here.
