Major city · Kazakhstan
Baikonur
Take a guided one‑day Baikonur Cosmodrome tour (US$700) – longer only for multiple launch trips or special interest.
Baikonur is a closed city centred on the Russian‑run Cosmodrome. Visits require a guided tour with a permit arranged 45 days ahead; a single‑day tour costs about US$700, while multi‑day excursions run into the thousands.
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Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KZT
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airports
- ·
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Kazakhstan ↗Visa-free entry applies to many nationalities, usually up to 30 days; check your own passport on the official government portal before you book, and keep your entry record.
- Kazakhstan ↗Use a ride-hailing app (Yandex Go or inDrive) or the airport rank; do not accept unmarked cars offered in the arrivals hall.
- Kazakhstan ↗Some mountain areas near the Kyrgyz and Chinese borders need a border-zone permit; ask your driver or the park office before you go.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Baikonur101 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Baikonur, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?The tenge (KZT) is used everywhere; cards work in Almaty shops, hotels and restaurants; bazaars and rural areas need cash.Kazakhstan-wide
- SIM or eSIMBeeline, Kcell, Activ and Tele2/Altel sell SIMs with a passport at airports and city shops.Kazakhstan-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people drink bottled or boiled water; bottled costs KZT 150–400.Kazakhstan-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: Check for a service charge (10–15%); otherwise 10%.Kazakhstan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Kazakhstan-wide
- SafetyBaikonur is a secure, closed city; the main risk is the permit process – ensure you have a valid tour and follow security instructions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls, cafés and hotels; squat toilets and pay toilets at bus stations and on rural roads.Kazakhstan-wide
- Emergency numbers101 police · 102 fire · 103 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums often close on Monday; mountain roads and cable cars close in storms.Kazakhstan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKrainiy Airport (city) (Charter flights from Almaty and Moscow; no regular schedule).
- Getting aroundTours provide transport within the Cosmodrome; otherwise walking is the only option and security checks apply.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- Krainiy Airport (city) (Charter flights from Almaty and Moscow; no regular schedule) · Yubileyniy Airport (cosmodrome) (Charter flights serving the Cosmodrome; limited service)
Weather and climate
Baikonur: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
5 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
5 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
4 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
7 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tours provide transport within the Cosmodrome; otherwise walking is the only option and security checks apply.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 4 h
Train from Toretam station, about 3–4 h
Nearest city with scheduled flights and better accommodation; a practical stopover.
Door to door: About 6 h
Train from Toretam station, about 5–6 h
Timurid mausoleum and pilgrim town; worth a day trip or overnight.
Door to door: About 10 h
Train from Toretam station, about 8–10 h
Long journey for a day trip; better as an overnight stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kafe "Ray"
Basic rooms for tourists on tours; higher prices, limited amenities.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₸5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₸8,000–12,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₸12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Capsule or hostel bed2 × 3 nights × KZT 4,000 | KZT 24,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × KZT 8,000 | KZT 48,000 |
| Trip total≈ KZT 12,000 per person per day, bed included | KZT 72,000 |
Available on guided tours; basic amenities
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Watch out
Safety
- Closed city – a permit is mandatory; arrange via a specialist tour operator at least 45 days in advance.
- Tours are expensive: US$700 for a one‑day visit from Almaty, up to US$5,000 for multi‑day trips from Moscow.
- Launch schedules are unpredictable; visits may be cancelled or rescheduled.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 101
- Fire
- 102
- Ambulance
- 103
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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BaikonurBaikonur
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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К этому адресу, пожалуйстаTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police101
- Fire102
- Ambulance103
- General emergency112
Embassy
US consular services are in Almaty; other nations use the Russian embassy in Astana.
My embassy: —
Say or show
- Извините — Excuse me / Sorry (izvinite)
- Спасибо — Thank you (spasibo)
- Сколько стоит? — How much is it? (skol'ko stoit?)
- Можно гида? — Can I have a guide? (mozno gida?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Baikonur. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Baikonur
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