Astana - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
SUV all-wheel drive with snow tires. The car should be reliable and able to survive brutal winters. That said, besides the mall, a few grocery stores and maybe a hotel or restaurant - there is really no where to go. This is doubly true since the start of the pandemic. - Jun 2021
The area is very flat so as long as you have snow tires, anything will work. But most people tend to have SUVs. - Oct 2017
Snow tires are a must. For someone interested in driving into the hinterlands, a vehicle with high ground clearance is recommended, as the roads get markedly worse on the outskirts of the city. - Oct 2016
There are many compact cars here, as well as, HUGE SUVs. They require imported cars to have the newest Euro 4 (maybe even 5 now) standards. We prefer a car with good clearance, especially for snow and occasionally re-routing onto sidewalks. Prep is needed for extreme cold weather. Auto-start is a great idea, block heater, battery warmer, fluids that are made for freezing temps, winter tires. The roads are kept pretty clean during the winter but your driveway or parking lot may not be. - Jun 2014
You can bring whatever type vehicle you want as long as you bring snow tires. They clear the roads very well in winter. We have ordered extra parts through the pouch as they can be expensive locally. Service is available locally, we haven't used it so not sure of the quality. Parts are shipped here so are expensive. - Sep 2010
It's not the type of vehicle, but its ability to handle in winter months. BRING STUDDED SNOW TIRES! That said, the locals are obsessed with the Toyota Land Cruiser, so if you want to fit in, buy one, and wash it often. - Jul 2008
The roads are not well-maintained; however, you can get by without an SUV or 4-wheel drive vehicle. We have a Ford Focus with studded tires for winter driving and we're fine. The one time that a 4-wheel drive vehicle is useful is if you take day trips outside of Astana. It can get rough either on or off-road. Potholes are prevalent both in and out of the city. - Jan 2008
