Parking in Almaty and Astana — 2026: Where to Leave Your Car for Free and Not Overpay

The parking situation in Kazakhstan is changing. In 2026 we expect new tariffs, expansion of paid parking zones and stricter control. If you don’t want to overpay or get fines, it is important to understand how the new rules work. We have collected the latest information for you on Almaty and Astana based on official sources.

In Kazakhstan parking is municipal property. Planning and organisation are handled by local akimats, and control over the process is being strengthened at the state level. In November 2025 the Majilis supported an amendment that may completely transfer roadside parking to state operators. This means the system is becoming more centralised, and the question of where parking money goes will now be more transparent. For example, in Almaty in 2024 the budget received about 2.8 billion tenge. These funds are directed to road repairs, pavements and transport development, not “into the pockets” of private companies.

In the southern capital the single basic tariff is still in effect, but the system will expand.

How much does one hour of parking cost in Almaty
The standard fee for one hour of parking in Almaty is 100 tenge. On some central streets, for example on Zhibek Zholy, Zenkov, Dostyk and Pushkin, a differentiated tariff of 150 tenge per hour applies.

When can you park for free
Parking is paid only from 08:00 to 19:00. In the evening, at night and on weekends you can leave your car in the same places completely free.

In the capital the system is more flexible and complex. From 12 July 2026 Astana is introducing differentiated hourly payment.

Three zones — three tariffs
The city is divided into three tariff zones depending on congestion:

Zone 1 (highest demand) — 200 tenge per hour.

Zone 2 (medium demand) — 150 tenge per hour.

Zone 3 (low demand) — 100 tenge per hour.

Free parking for residents
Residents can apply for free parking for one car near their home. To do this, submit an application via the Road Traffic Organisation Centre website. Parking is also free for everyone at night — after 20:00 until 08:00.

Mobile apps

Almaty: official “Parking Almaty” app for iOS and Android.

Astana: Astana Parking, Astra Park apps and services in Smart Astana.

Payment via Kaspi.kz, SMS and website

Kaspi.kz: “Payments” section → search “Almaty Parking”.

SMS: send a message to number 1309 indicating the parking zone number. The method is available for Kcell, Activ, Beeline, Tele2 and Altel subscribers.

Website: almaty-parking.kz.

Terminals: Kassa 24 and Qiwi.

Post-payment — what it is and how it works
In Almaty you can pay for parking after you have already left. The app allows you to choose post-payment until 23:59 of the current day. In Astana this option has also appeared in the “Parking Astana” app and in the personal account on astanapark.kz.

Passes in Almaty
In Almaty a new rules project with resident passes is being prepared:

12 months — 72,000 tenge.

6 months — 36,000 tenge.

3 months — 18,000 tenge.

Pensioners — 50 % discount.

Benefits for Astana residents
In Astana residents of nearby houses have resident passes. Currently they allow free parking, but in the future discounted tariffs may appear for covered parking for those who leave their car for more than eight hours.

You do not have to pay if you belong to one of the following categories:

• Veterans of the Great Patriotic War, combat operations, labour;
• Persons with disabilities of groups I and II, parents of children with disabilities;
• Mothers of many children awarded “Altyn alqa” and “Kumis alqa”;
• Victims of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk test site;
• Owners of electric vehicles;
• Employees of emergency services with flashing lights on.

The fine amount is 1 MRP, i.e. 4,325 tenge in 2026. In Almaty in 2025 almost 500,000 cases of non-payment were recorded — 497,394. Fifteen special vehicles with cameras monitor this.

How to challenge a fine
A fine can be challenged if it was impossible to pay in cash at the parking spot and the terminals were not working. But do not count on this — challenging a fine is extremely rare. To appeal, you must contact the Administrative Police Department.

How serious is the control
Fines are issued automatically and arrive instantly. In Astana, until the contract termination process with LLP “Parking Space Astana” is completed, fines continue to be issued.

How not to overpay at the airport parking
At Almaty airport the first 15 minutes of parking are free — no more than twice per day. After that the tariff is 350 tenge for the first hour. Parking at Astana airport is regulated by internal rules, but the first 15 minutes are usually also free for drop-off.

Features of parking at markets and shopping centres
At large markets “Kazyna”, “Arlan”, “Alatau-2” and at shopping centres “Adem”, “Yalyan”, “Alatau 1” barrier-free systems have been introduced. Cameras record the number on entry and exit. Forgetting to pay is not possible.

1. Assess the time
If you arrive after 19:00 in Almaty or after 20:00 in Astana, parking is free.

2. Choose a payment method
The most convenient is the mobile app. Install “Parking Almaty” or Astana Parking in advance.

3. Use Kaspi.kz
You do not need to put money into several apps. Just use Kaspi.kz as a single wallet.

4. Check benefits
If you qualify for a benefit category — submit the documents.

5. Remember post-payment
If you are not sure how long you will stay, finish the session later in the app.

6. Consider a pass
If you park in the same district every day, a 3-, 6- or 12-month pass may pay for itself.

7. Monitor fines
Regularly check for debts on the eGov.kz electronic government portal.

Parking in Almaty and Astana requires attention. Paid parking from 08:00 to 19:00 costs 100–150 tenge per hour in Almaty and 100–200 tenge in Astana. You can avoid extra expenses with night hours, resident tariffs, benefits and timely payment via mobile apps or Kaspi.kz.

The main saving rule is simple: check the zone, parking operating hours and available payment methods in advance. This way you can not only save money but also avoid fines, towing and extra stress.

1. Official Almaty parking website — current payment methods, tariffs of 100–150 tenge per hour and rules of use: almaty-parking.kz.
2. Tengrinews.kz, January 2026 — analysis of the Prime Minister’s response on new rules, passes and decisions on free parking.
3. Zakon.kz and information from akimats and the Majilis — letter from the Prime Minister dated 19 December 2025 explaining the legal basis for organising parking.
4. Finratings.kz, October 2025 — article on the expansion of paid parking zones in Almaty and plans to introduce passes.
5. Elordainfo.kz and Astana akimat — official data on the launch of post-payment and transfer of parking to the city.
6. BES.media, December 2025 — journalistic analysis of the Prime Minister’s responses on parking with emphasis on economics and social issues.

All data was checked as of May 2026. Rules may differ by region, operators and specific parking zones — always check conditions on the official parking websites, with the akimat or in the app before paying. This is not legal advice but a practical guide based on open sources.