Aktau (Also Actau) serves primarily travellers arriving from ferry over the Caspain Sea into Kazahstan. Predominent traffic comes from Baku, Azerbaijan (about one ferry a week) but also ferry links are established with Russia to the north.
As a place it is separated from the rest of Kazakhstan ... Read review
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Advantages: Efficient port, many utilities Disadvantages: Might be hard to navigate without a vehicle, though there are taxis but road signs are soley writt
Aktau (Also Actau) serves primarily travellers arriving from ferry over the Caspain Sea into Kazahstan. Predominent traffic comes from Baku, Azerbaijan (about one ferry a week) but also ferry links are established with Russia to the north.
As a place it is separated from the rest of Kazakhstan by a large section of desert. Rumour has it that attempting to travel to Aktau to and/or from the south of the country (e.g. Turkmenistan or ... ...folling sand dunes and rockscapes. Aktau is so remote that the Kazakh government once designated it a nuclear testing zone. Thankfully it is not anymore but instead sucks oil out of the Caspian and is a large factor in Kazakhstan's ranking of 3rd highest country of Oil stocks in the world.
As a town Aktau displays a successful wealth. Frequent cash machines accept VISA and some of the best petrol can be found here (Grade 98). I drove ... more
Aktau (Also Actau) serves primarily travellers arriving from ferry over the Caspain Sea into Kazahstan. Predominent traffic comes from Baku, Azerbaijan (about one ferry a week) but also ferry links are established with Russia to the north.
As a place it is separated from the rest of Kazakhstan by a large section of desert. Rumour has it that attempting to travel to Aktau to and/or from the south of the country (e.g. Turkmenistan or Almaty, Kazakhstan) is a real problem simply because it is so remote - having said that the bits that I saw were incredibly beautiful - full of folling sand dunes and rockscapes. Aktau is so remote that the Kazakh government once designated it a nuclear testing zone. Thankfully it is not anymore but instead sucks oil out of the Caspian and is a large factor in Kazakhstan's ranking of 3rd highest country of Oil stocks in the world.
As a town Aktau displays a successful wealth. Frequent cash machines accept VISA and some of the best petrol can be found here (Grade 98). I drove across the entire country to Semey / Russia at the North-east and this was the only place that supplied good, filtered and pure fuel. Aktau also has a nice city centre, even if it is a little spawled, but hosts several well recommended restaurants and hotels. You won't run out of supplies if stuck here for any amount of time.
The port of Aktau is relatively efficient with the ferrys crossing the Caspian predominently transporting cargo and even whole trains! The port/customs office boasts free wifi, a cash machine and a small kiosk for food. Not bad for an Asian border. Full marks Aktau!
Advantages: Western run and managed; new planes; most people make an effort Disadvantages: inexperienced; same infratructures
AIR ASTANA
Air Astana is a new airline in Kazakhstan which started operating in Spring 2002, a joint venture between the Kazakhstan government and BAe Systems. It is named after the capital of the country, Astana.
Air Astana was set up to be a high quality airline operating to western standards. Their fleet consists of three, brand new Boeing 737 jets and most of the senior management is British or European, formerly with leading western airlines.
The airline mainly operates from Almaty, the largest city and commercial centre which was the capital until a few years ago when it was moved to Astana. They fly between Almaty and Astana of course and also from Almaty to two other domestic routes, Aktau and Aktobe. They have been taking over international routes from the former national carrier, Air Kazakstan, and currently fly from ...
Vodkaboy 06.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Air Astana
