How to travel to India from Kazakhstan?
There are many ways to travel from Kazakhstan to India, depending on your budget, your preferred travel time, and your desired experience. Here are some steps to travel to India:
1. Research Transportation
Flying
- Fastest and most convenient: This is the quickest alternative, with flights from major cities in Kazakhstan to India taking roughly 6-8 hours.
- Direct vs. connecting flights: There are direct flights from Almaty and Nur-Sultan to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Flights with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or other major hubs are also prevalent.
- Airlines: Air Astana, Flydubai, Air India, SpiceJet, Emirates, and Qatar Airways are some airlines offering flights from Kazakhstan to India.
- Cost: Prices might vary greatly based on the airline, booking period, and season of travel. A round-trip ticket might cost anything from $300 to $1,000 or more.
Taking the Train
- Time-consuming but adventurous: The train journey from Kazakhstan to India can take several days and offers a unique and immersive experience.
- Route options: One popular route is to take the trans-Siberian railway from Almaty Astana to Moscow and then connect by train to Delhi or Mumbai.
- Train type: Some routes have luxury cabins with private bathrooms, while others have more basic common bedrooms.
- Cost: Train travel is generally cheaper than air travel, but still expected to pay hundreds of dollars depending on route and seat rating.
2. Apply for a India visa online
To enter India, Kazakhstani citizens will need to apply for a visa online. India and Kazakhstan do not have a visa-free agreement. The India e visa for Kazakhstani citizens is an electronic travel authorization to visit the country for purposes of tourism, visiting friends and family, business, or short-term medical treatment or medical attendant.
3. Considerations
- Accommodation: When it comes to accommodations, India has a wide range of alternatives, including royal hotels, tented camps, and ultra-luxurious contemporary hotels. Some of the famous hotel palaces in India are Taj Falaknuma Palace, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Taj Mahal Palace and Taj Lake Palace
- Currency Exchange: Before you travel, exchange your Kazakhstani Tenge for Indian Rupees. You can buy some INR at the airport, but converting ahead of time gets you better prices. You can see more about exchange currency in India
- Food: Indian cuisines achieve a fine balance between sweet and spicy, enticing many palates and growing in popularity for dine-in and take-out dining. Whether you choose vegetarian or meat-based meals, prefer mild cuisine, or want spicy dishes, there is nearly always an Indian dish to satisfy your taste buds. Some of the famous foods in India are Samosa, Dal Soup, Curry, Tandoori Chicken, Tandoori Fish, Biryani, Masala and more
- Activities: Many cultural attractions and events in India are free or inexpensive. Prioritize these over costly tourist activities.