Time: Kazakhstan is divided into three time zones. Eastern is GMT +4, Central is GMT +5, and Western is GMT +6.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The European round 2-pin plugs are standard.

Language: Kazakh and Russian are the official languages.

Health: It is recommended that travellers to Kazakhstan immunise themselves against hepatitis A. A small outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever was reported from the Kizilordinskaya region in July 2007. Ticks that have been feeding on infected animals usually transmit this life-threatening viral infection. Medical care in Kazakhstan is extremely limited and shortages of essential medical supplies are common. Doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash, regardless of travel health insurance.

Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Kazakhstan as a service charge is included in hotel and restaurant bills. There is also a fixed charge on taxi and railway transport.

Safety: The general rules of safety in Kazakhstan are the same as in any other developed country of the world. There are the normal risks of pickpockets etc., and travellers are advised to be cautious of corrupt police. Kazakhstan is a very friendly country and foreigners are respected.

Customs: Kazakh people are known for their hospitality, respect for elders and peace and tolerance. Generosity and cordial behaviour are common in both social and business fields. An invitation to the traditional Kazakh feast, dastarkhan, is the most popular form of Kazakh hospitality. Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative and travellers should take care not to offend. Possession and use of drugs is illegal and if found guilty, could bring about a lengthy prison sentence.

Business: An experienced and proficient interpreter can be of great assistance at business meetings. It is customary to shake hands and call people by their first names at business meetings, as well as at informal gatherings. Business attire is generally a suit and tie for men, and a suit or business dress for women. Small gifts (pens, company logo pins or books) are frequently given at the end of an initial meeting as a token of appreciation. Business cards are widely distributed, both in Russian and English. Many people in Kazakhstan are Muslim so it is not uncommon for them to take breaks from work during the day for prayer; this should be taken into consideration when scheduling meeting times.

Communications: The international dialling code for Kazakhstan is +7. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). Area codes are in place, for example, Astana is 3172 and Almaty is 327. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies and reception is good around the main cities. There are Internet cafes in most towns and cities but they tend to be expensive.

Duty Free: The following goods may be imported into Kazakhstan without incurring customs duty: 1,000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products; 2 litres of alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use and gifts to the value of US$500 for personal use only. On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables, which must be registered on the declaration form. They must be exported at the end of the stay. Customs inspections can be long and thorough. It is advisable to keep receipts for items bought in Kazakhstan in order to avoid difficulties on departure.