Almaty in June 2026 – is it worth going on vacation? Weather and reviews, air temperature and rain, how to dress, prices for air tickets and hotels, for tours and excursions. Where to go in Almaty in June, what to see in the city and its surroundings, and travel – in Kazakhstan – says Eurotraveler.
You have to agree – it’s a good plan. Well, at least entertaining – Kazakhstan, like its old capital, Almaty, seems interesting and very promising destination for the out-of-the-box tourist. Not just visa-free – it doesn’t even require Russians to have a foreign passport for entry.
Of course, today it’s better not to even dream about inexpensive ones. But those who intend to fly “on a budget” to Sochi in June, not to mention Irkutsk or Vladivostok, should not even mention this secret desire.
Alas, in order to save money, even to the sea, many today travel exclusively by car. So, in fact, you can travel in a similar way in June to Almaty. Not to mention Astana and the rest of Kazakhstan.
The cities and the country seem to be distant and even somewhat exotic for Muscovites and St. Petersburg residents. But at the same time, they are very close to people living in the Urals and Siberia.
Judge for yourself: from Novosibirsk and Omsk you will get to Almaty in 30-35 hours – if you go by car and are not in a big hurry (overnight on the way). Well, by plane it’s clear – in a couple of hours.
Seems tempting?! We decided so too – and examined the issue more carefully.
Weather in Almaty in June
The timing was not chosen by chance – at the beginning of summer, in most cases there is still nothing to talk about vacationing on the Russian seas. That is, you can say it! But it’s still too early to go with the goal of swimming and sunbathing.
But you need to visit Almaty in early June. That is, it’s still possible. Because the next chance will open only in the fall – long before mid-summer it becomes redundant in the capital of Kazakhstan sultry.
It’s hard to argue; in June, in the “Southern Capital” of Kazakhstan, there are often hot days, with temperatures around and above +30 °C – at the end of the month they generally prevail. But night cooling down to +18-22 °C, and very fresh and joyful morning hours as a result, make it easy to come to terms with this reality.
At the beginning of June, the air temperature in Almaty during the day clearly gravitates towards the commendable range of +25-28 °C. In the evenings, you can even freeze if you carelessly go for a walk in just a shirt – after sunset the atmosphere sometimes cools down to +12-15 °C.
It is worth considering that any trip to nature, and even climbing the mountains, to the same Medeu skating rink, will take you to a completely different type of climate, with much more low temperatures. So jackets and pullovers, sweatshirts and sweatshirts should be present in a traveler’s suitcase along with light summer clothes, all sorts of sandals and caps.
Precipitation and sun
Throughout June, the weather in Almaty is usually very sunny – the probability of a clear day exceeds 70%. Rains also happen. But their total volume (about 50 mm) and their habit of pouring out in the form of stormy but short showers makes it possible not to think too much about whether to take an umbrella or raincoat with you.
I mean, yes, it probably won’t hurt to have something like that in your suitcase. Well, you can take them for a walk around the city – if the forecast promises precipitation.
The duration of daylight during the first month of summer in Almaty exceeds 15 hours. Which, of course, is noticeably less than in Moscow (more than 17) and – especially – St. Petersburg, but will still allow you see in detail largest city in Kazakhstan. And even – perhaps – take a trip to the mountains.
The sun in Almaty rises at approximately the same time throughout June, at 5 am. And it sets below the horizon at half past twenty minutes to 8 pm.
What’s worth knowing
Russians can enter Kazakhstan according to internal passport. Until January 2026, children under the age of 14 could enter the country with a birth certificate.
But not today – it is now mandatory for them to obtain a foreign passport
A minor tourist can travel with one of the parents without any documentary permission from the other. But a child without parents (with a guardian, for example) can enter the country only with notarized consent from both parents.
Travel health insurance is not compulsory. However, it is believed that it is easier and cheaper to insure yourself than to later pay much more money for inappropriately needed treatment. The level of medicine, however, is low in comparison with Russia.
Shopping is a completely justified activity for a Russian tourist who finds himself in Almaty (the most populated city in Kazakhstan). After all, in local stores there is an abundance of all those (at least clothing) brands that have left Russia. And prices for goods are, if not an order of magnitude, then significantly lower than in Russian stores.
Payments from a card of the Russian payment system “MIR” are possible in some cases. But we recommend not to rely entirely on this opportunity and also take cash with you. Union Pay “plastic” works without misfires in most cases.
A foreigner can easily get a local bank card in Kazakhstan. Only for this he will have to present a foreign passport with an entry stamp and a TIN issued in the country. You also need to purchase a local SIM card.
You can officially exchange currency in Kazakhstan only upon presentation of your international passport!
To avoid overpaying for public transport, you should purchase an Onay card right upon arrival. This can be done both in the terminal at the bus stop at the airport and at city metro stations.
Yes, you heard everything correctly – Almaty has its own metro. Consisting, however, so far of only one line and 11 stations.
Prices 2026
This is a rather sad matter – flights from Moscow and from Yekaterinburg to Almaty cost so much that you can’t help but wonder whether it’s worth flying. Because an air ticket for 1 person (and its modest luggage – up to 10 kg) will cost 40+ thousand rubles. True, it’s back and forth.
Traveling by car promises significant savings – especially for a couple of people or an entire family – but it can also be much more tiring. Because covering a distance of 1,800 kilometers or more is unlikely to be possible without an intermediate overnight stay.
Fuel prices in Kazakhstan in April 2026 are noticeably lower than in Russia – a liter of diesel fuel will cost approximately 330 tenge. That is, approximately 52 rubles in Russian money.
A liter of A-95 gasoline costs even less – about 320 tenge.
Very inexpensive accommodation in Almaty in hotels and apartments. And for about 30-35 € per day you can rent a small well-kept studio or a hotel room located near the center.
The tiny but functional Shadow Atakent apartments are very nice, furnished with furniture from IKEA so beloved by Russians. The guests also really like the loyalty of the owner, who seems to have taken care of all the everyday little things.
Located in the very center of the city and next to the metro station Apartment on Panfilova 114. A small apartment with everything necessary for a comfortable stay. Dear… only those who are willing to pay for rent from 40 € per day will be able to stay.
Excursions
in principle, they are not very expensive – they cost about the same as in provincial Russian cities. That is, more expensive than in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
Things to do
You can correct us, but tourists come to Almaty mainly not to admire the city. For order, of course, it is necessary to take a sightseeing tour: to see the beautiful wooden and remarkably earthquake-resistant Resurrection Cathedral, as well as the monument to Viktor Tsoi (the cult film of the last Soviet years, “The Needle,” was filmed in the city).
After which it’s time concentrate on the things for which, in fact, such a trip is being undertaken.
In particular, visiting the unique high-mountain skating rink Medeu and viewpoints above it. Along the way, there, at an altitude of about 2 km, you can walk along one of the marked hiking trails – in June this will be easy and pleasant.
The Shymbulak ski resort will also reward you with incredibly beautiful views (you can go up by cable car). Around which, even in summer, snow-covered mountain peaks rise.
Another beautiful and green place in Almaty is Kok-Tebe Park, located near the local TV tower at an altitude of about 1,100 meters. In Kok-Tebe there is a rope park where children can get their dose of adrenaline. And also a low, but providing very cool panoramic views of the city, Ferris wheel.
Where to go
This topic deserves a separate detailed review – here we mentioned interesting places that are worth visiting in Kazakhstan.
Very close to Almaty are the foothills Trans-Ili Alatauwhere you can visit Big Almaty Lake and capture excellent mountain views on camera. But to get to the Charyn Canyon with the Valley of Castles you will have to spend much more time. After all, this “analogue” of the American Grand Canyon is located 200 km east of the Kazakh capitals.
If you come by car, you can visit the Charyn Canyon on your own. But it would still be better not to risk yourself and your “iron friend” by splurging on an excursion with a local guide.
The most picturesque Kolsai lakes live in the same “steppe”, that is, in fact, in the mountain spurs. And the real symbol of Kazakhstan is the original Lake Kaindy.
Approximately 300 km in a northeast direction must be overcome to get to the “Singing Dune” in the Altyn-Emel National Park. Again, it’s better to go here in a real SUV
In order not to reproach yourself later for saving money, the road on the final stretch is more of a direction.
- What things to take with you on a long road trip?
- What to visit by car in Altai
- Is it worth going to Baikal in June?
© Eurotraveler
