Getting to Astana

Astana's airport is Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) — about 15 minutes by taxi from Nazarbayev University. Between the gate and your dorm bed there are exactly three steps: immigration, luggage, transfer. Here is how to clear all three without stress.

Before you land

Have these within reach, printed or saved offline:

• Passport, plus your visa or support letter if your nationality needs one — check the Kazakhstan page early
• Registration and accommodation confirmation
• Travel insurance details
• The address that answers every official's first question: Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana

Immigration officers may ask the purpose and length of your stay — "an international student conference at Nazarbayev University" plus your printed documents settles it. If anything gets complicated, contact visa.am26@ifmsa-ga.com and your NMO president.

From the airport to campus

The official OC transfer is the way to go. The Organizing Committee runs official airport transfers on 1 August (Welcoming Day) and 7 August (Departure Day) — watch your registration email for the schedule and look for the AM26 signs in arrivals.

Arriving outside the transfer windows:

• Ride-hailing — Yandex Go, Uber, and inDrive all operate in Astana. A city ride costs 500–5,000 ₸ depending on distance and traffic (official OC price guide); the airport–campus hop sits at the lower end of that range. Order in the app, pay in the app — no negotiation needed.
• Bus No. 10 runs from the airport to Nazarbayev University — the budget option at 200 ₸ with the transport card. With GA luggage, the taxi is usually worth it.

Avoid unofficial drivers offering rides in the arrivals hall — stick to the apps or the OC transfer.

Arriving by train

Trains from Almaty and across Kazakhstan arrive at Nurly Zhol railway station on the east side of the city. From there it's a straightforward ride-hailing trip to campus — around 20 minutes.

When plans change

Flight delayed past the transfer window, lost luggage, missed connection — message the OC as soon as you know: logistics.am26@ifmsa-ga.com. During GA week the OC hotline (published in your welcome materials) is the fastest route.