Money & Payments in Almaty (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) is relatively uncommon in Kazakhstan, but can appear at some ATMs and card terminals in tourist-heavy areas. If an ATM or payment terminal offers to charge you in USD instead of KZT, always decline—choosing USD means accepting a 3–8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. Always select 'KZT' or 'local currency' at every prompt.
Kazakhstan's major banks offer fair exchange rates; avoid unbranded machines near Almaty's Panfilov Park and hotels in Astana's expo district, which may charge extra fees and offer unfavorable exchange rates. With Kaspi and Halyk ATMs on nearly every corner, there is no reason to use an unbranded machine.
It will be easy to get by in Kazakhstan without paper cash as long as you're in its major cities. Having cash is still recommended just to be safe, especially if you plan to be in more rural areas as ATMs may not be as abundant or credit card acceptance would be lessened. As there are plenty of ATM machines in the major cities, it's recommended you withdraw them while in cities for the peace of mind on not scrambling to get more cash.
Tipping is becoming more common in bigger cities and upscale places. Leaving a small tip of about five to 10 percent is appreciated for good service.

ATM Network

Availability: There is no shortage of ATMs in the bigger cities of Kazakhstan – Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, etc. They are on every corner, and you won't have to walk long before you stumble upon an ATM.

Major Banks

Kaspi Bank
Note
Kaspi ATMs are everywhere in Almaty and Astana, inside shopping centers, on street corners, and at transit hubs. The bright blue and yellow branding is impossible to miss.
Halyk Bank
Note
Halyk has a strong presence in both major cities and smaller towns across the country.
ForteBank
Note
ForteBank ATMs are commonly found in shopping centers, business districts, and airports.

Cash Required For

Transportation
Description
Marshrutkas (shared minibuses) are cash-only. Taxis outside Yandex Go or inDrive expect cash.
Markets and Bazaars
Description
Cash is needed at the Green Bazaar in Almaty.
Small Vendors and Food Stalls
Description
Small cafés and food stalls accept only cash or Kaspi QR.
Rural and Remote Areas
Description
Rural steppe towns and mountain villages (Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes) are heavily cash-based.

ATM Fees

Local ATM Fees: Most ATMs don't charge a commission for withdrawals. Most ATMs in Kazakhstan do NOT charge a withdrawal fee. Kaspi, Halyk Bank, and Bereke Bank had no withdrawal fees.
Dynamic Currency Conversion Warning: Some ATMs may ask Accept OR Decline Conversion. If you 'Accept', the ATM converts your money at the ATM's set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee for currency conversion. If you Decline, the ATM will convert at the exchange rate of the bank/card logo. To avoid extra fees, select 'Decline/Without' Conversion or 'Charge in KZT'.

Tipping Norms

General Culture: Tipping is not traditionally expected in Kazakhstan. Tipping in Kazakhstan is not so common as in the western countries. There is no commonly accepted tipping norm and usually, the cost of service (in cafes, hotels, travel agencies, etc.) is already included in the final price. Thus, no additional fees are needed.

Taxis

Taxis: Taxis: round up. Tipping taxi drivers is not a widespread practice in Kazakhstan, but rounding up the fare to the nearest convenient amount is common. For example, if your fare is 870 tenge, you might pay 900 tenge.
Ride Sharing Apps: With ride-sharing apps like Yandex or Uber, tipping is optional and can be done through the app if desired.

Hotels

Porters And Housekeeping: KZT 750

Tour Guides

Full Day Guide: KZT 3,500

Restaurants And Cafes

Casual Venues: Casual canteens and cafes: no tip expected.
Upscale Restaurants: At upscale restaurants in Almaty's Dostyk Avenue or Astana's Expo area, 10% is generous but not required.

Card Acceptance

Maestro

Status: Limited acceptance
Details: Some ATMs may also accept Maestro cards.

Visa Mastercard

Status: Widely accepted
Details: Visa and Mastercard are accepted on most POS terminals. Cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants on Almaty's Panfilov Street, Mega Center and Dostyk Plaza malls, and shops.

American Express

Status: Rarely accepted
Details: American Express cards are rarely accepted.

Contactless Payments

Status: accepted
Details: Contactless works well.

Withdrawal Limits

Standard Limit: The maximum withdrawal amount on most ATMs in Kazakhstan is 100,000 KZT.

Kaspi Payment Ecosystem

Note: Kaspi has transformed Kazakhstan's payments. Locals use Kaspi QR for everything from restaurants to bazaar stalls to taxis. As a foreign visitor, you are locked out of this ecosystem (requires a Kazakh bank account). You will rely on traditional card payments and cash more than locals do.

Banking

Currency Support: Accounts can be opened in tenge (KZT) or foreign currency (USD, EUR, GBP). Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; UnionPay is accepted in some venues; American Express is rare.
Foreigner Friendly Banks: Halyk Bank, Kaspi Bank, and Citibank Kazakhstan are noted as most foreigner-friendly. Kaspi Bank is the largest fintech player and widely used for mobile banking.
Card Validity Restrictions: Payment cards issued to non-residents without permanent residence now have a 12-month validity period (effective January 2025). Cards must be reissued in person at a branch; remote reissuance is prohibited. Each foreign national is limited to one active payment card. Monthly passport photo verification is required.
Account Opening Requirements For Foreigners: As of 2025–2026, opening a bank account as a non-resident foreigner requires: (1) in-person visit to a bank branch or representation via authorized proxy, (2) valid passport and Individual Identification Number (IIN) obtained from a public service center, (3) proof of legal stay (visa, work permit, or border stamp for EAEU citizens), (4) compliance screening and anti-money laundering checks. Remote account opening is no longer permitted for non-residents.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Almaty

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Almaty