A Student's Guide to Living in Almaty and Tashkent

Two major Central Asian study cities

Almaty in Kazakhstan and Tashkent in Uzbekistan are two of Central Asia's largest cities and host universities that welcome international students. Each has its own character, transport and climate, so it helps to look at them separately when planning your move.

The two cities are in different countries with their own admission portals and procedures, so always confirm details — admission, accommodation and arrival steps — through your specific university and the official sources for that country.

Getting around Almaty

Almaty has buses, trolleybuses and a metro line, and many students use a rechargeable transport card for daily travel. The city sits near mountains, and neighbourhoods vary in how close they are to particular campuses.

Student travel concessions may be available where you qualify, but the rules and fares change, so confirm current details with your university and the official Kazakhstan transport or city services. Your university's international office can advise on accommodation and which areas are convenient for your campus.

• Ask your university which districts are convenient for your campus
• Check whether a student transport concession applies in Almaty
• Confirm dormitory or rental options through the university

Getting around Tashkent

Tashkent has a metro system alongside buses, and students commonly combine these for daily travel. The metro is a quick way to cross the city, while buses fill in shorter local routes.

As with any city, fares and any student concessions change over time, so confirm the current arrangements with your university and the official Uzbekistan city or government services. The university's international office is the right place to ask about accommodation near your campus.

• Check the metro line and buses serving your campus area
• Ask the university about dormitory or recommended rental areas
• Confirm any student travel concession with official services

Climate in both cities

Both Almaty and Tashkent have a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, though conditions differ between the two cities and across seasons. Summers can be warm to hot, while winters are cold, so a wardrobe that covers both ends of the range is sensible.

Planning for seasonal clothing and checking typical weather for the time you arrive helps new students settle in. Indoor study and daily life continue year-round in heated and, in summer, often cooled spaces.

Everyday costs and settling in

Living costs in both cities cover rent or dormitory fees, food, transport, mobile data and study materials, and depend on whether you live in a dormitory or rent privately. Costs differ between the two cities and between universities.

This guide does not quote prices, because tuition and living costs change regularly and vary by university and country. Build your budget from your own university's published figures and verify everyday costs locally. Your international office usually helps with arrival formalities, check-in and orientation when you arrive — these are administrative steps handled through your university, so confirm the current requirements with it and the official sources for the country, as rules can change. This guide is general information, not immigration advice.

• Use your university's published costs to build your budget
• Complete arrival and registration steps through your university on time
• Keep copies of your passport and key documents