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{{For|transport in the Soviet Union|Transport in the Soviet Union}}
{{Update|date=June 2016}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}

The vast territory of [[Kazakhstan]] spans across {{convert|2,700,000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The population density is low in Kazakhstan, and the centers of industry and agriculture are spread out and remote from world markets. Therefore, the need for efficient transportation in Kazakhstan is great.

Kazakhstan is committed to regional infrastructure development.<ref name=cftni>{{cite web|title=A Conversation with H.E. Kairat Umarov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan|url=http://www.cftni.org/A%20Conversation%20With%20HE%20Kairat%20Umarov_Event%20Summary.pdf|website=http://www.cftni.org/}}</ref> According to the Kazakhstan Ambassador to the U.S., Kairat Umarov, Kazakhstan invested $18 billion in construction of airports, highways, and railroads in 2014.<ref name="cftni"/>

== Railways ==
{{main article|Kazakhstan Temir Zholy}}

''Total:'' Railways provide 68% of all cargo and passenger traffic to over 57% of the country. There are {{convert|15,333|km|mi|abbr=on}} in common carrier service, excluding industrial lines.<ref name=ciafactbook>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kz.html CIA: The World Factbook]</ref>

''Broad Gauge:'' {{convert|15,333|km|mi|abbr=on}} of {{Track gauge|1520mm|lk=on}} gauge, {{convert|4,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} electrified, in 2012.<ref name=ciafactbook/>

[[Kazakhstan Temir Zholy]] (KTZ) is the national railway company.

As the Kazakhstani rail system was designed during the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] era, rail routes were designed ignoring intersoviet borders and to the needs of Soviet planning. This has caused anamolies such as the route from [[Ural'sk]] to [[Aktobe]] now passes briefly through Russian territory. It also means that routes might not suit modern-day Kazakhstani needs.

=== Railway links with adjacent countries ===

* {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Transport in Russia#Rail transport|Russia]] - same gauge (former Soviet Union railway system)
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Transport in the People's Republic of China#Rail|China]] - [[break of gauge]] {{Track gauge|1520mm}}/{{Track gauge|sg|lk=on}}; border station at [[Dostyk|Druzhba]], KZ - [[Alashankou]], CN, connection between the [[Turkestan–Siberia Railway]] and the [[Northern Xinjiang Railway]] (no electrification on them). Another connection is from [[Altynkol Railway Station]] near [[Khorgas]] to the [[Jinghe–Yining–Khorgos Railway]] towards [[Ürümqi]].
* {{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[Transport in Kyrgyzstan#Railways|Kyrgyzstan]] - same gauge (former Soviet Union railway system)
* {{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Transport in Uzbekistan#Railways|Uzbekistan]] - same gauge (former Soviet Union railway system)
* {{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Railways in Turkmenistan|Turkmenistan]] - same gauge (former Soviet Union railway system) (railway link opened in 2013, presently for freight)
* [[Caspian Sea]] - [[railhead]] {{Track gauge|1520mm|disp=1}}

The strategy of transport development in Kazakhstan until 2015 is to build {{convert|1600|km|mi|abbr=on}} of new electrified and {{convert| 2700|km|mi|abbr=on}} of existing railway stations.

The Khorgos Gateway dry port is one of Kazakhstan's primary dry ports for handling trans-Eurasian trains, which travel more than 9,000 km between China and Europe. The Khorgos Gateway dry port is surrounded by Khorgos Eastern Gate SEZ that officially commenced operations in December 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Khorgos: The New Silk Road's Central Station Comes To Life|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/02/20/khorgos-the-new-silk-roads-central-station-comes-to-life/2/#4770e6ab5322|website=forbes.com}}</ref>

=== Maps ===
* [http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/kazakhst.pdf UN Map]
* [http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/fullMaps_Sa.nsf/luFullMap/D27D9AFFF5B6812A85256A23006DE977/$File/kazak.pdf?OpenElement reliefweb map]

=== Timeline ===

==== 2008 ====

* [[BOOT]] line from [[Zhetigen]] to [[Khorgos]] on the China border.<ref>[http://www.im-mining.com/2008/05/20/enrc-to-develop-and-operate-the-zhetigen-khorgos-railway-line-between-kazakhstan-and-china/ ENRC to develop and operate the Zhetigen-Khorgos railway line between Kazakhstan and China | International Mining]</ref> The line would branch off the existing railway near [[Shaquanzi]].

==== 2007 ====

* Proposals to eliminate break of gauge at Druzhba-Alashankou by converting the Kazakhstan main line to European gauge.

==== 2006 ====

* Proposed standard gauge link from [[China]] to [[Europe]].<ref>[http://www.unitedworld-usa.com/reports/kazakhstan/temir.asp KAZAKHSTAN - Temir Zholy]</ref>

=== Towns served by rail ===

{{main article|Railway stations in Kazakhstan}}

== Rapid Transit and Tram Systems ==

=== Almaty ===

There is a small {{convert| 8.56|km|mi|abbr=on}} [[rapid transit|metro]] system in [[Almaty]]. A second and third metro lines are planned in the future. The second line would intersect with the first line at [[Alatau]] and [[Zhibek Zholy (Almaty Metro)|Zhibek Zholy]] stations.<ref name=urbanrail.net>[http://www.urbanrail.net/as/alma/almaty.htm urbanrail.net]</ref>

In May 2011, the construction of the second phase of the Almaty Metro line 1 began. The general contractor is Almatymetrokurylys. Currently more than {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} of tunnels on the extension project have been excavated. The extension includes five new stations, and will connect the downtown area of Almaty with [[Kalkaman]] in the suburbs. Its length will be {{convert|8.62|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Almaty_metro_website>[http://www.almatymetro.kz/page.php Алматыметро :: Главная страница]</ref>

The construction is divided into 3 phases. The first phase (the current phase) will be the addition of two stations: Sairan and Moscow, a length of {{convert|2.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Almaty_metro_website"/> For more details see: [[Almaty Metro]].

There is still a tram system which opened in 1937. However, with the metro construction, 8 of the 10 lines were closed and now there are only 2 lines. They total 23 km.<ref name=subways.net>[http://www.subways.net/kazakstan/almaty.htm Subways and Trams In Kazakstan: Almaty's Metro]</ref>

=== Astana ===

The [[Astana Metro]] system is under construction.

It's been a long time coming and the project was abandoned at one point in 2013,<ref>http://en.tengrinews.kz/industry_infrastructure/No-Light-Rail-Transport-for-Astana-24346/</ref> but an agreement was signed on 7 May 2015 for the project to go ahead.<ref>http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/asia/single-view/view/astana-light-rail-framework-agreement-signed.html</ref>

=== Oskemen ===

The system was opened between 1959 and 1978, and the tram is a popular form of transport in Oskemen/Ust-Kamenogorsk. At its peak it had 6 routes, but now has 4 routes in operation. It has a fleet of 50 working tram cars.<ref name=Oskemen_Tramway>[http://oskemen-tramway.narod.ru/ Усть-Каменогорский трамвай :: Введение]</ref>

=== Pavlodar ===

There is an {{convert|86|km|mi|abbr=on}} tram network, which began service in 1965 with, {{as of|2012}}, 20 regular and 3 special routes. The network has a 60% share of the local public transport market. Its fleet of 115 trams are due to be replaced and in 2012, the city announced plans to purchase 100 new trams.<ref name=Pavlodar>[[Pavlodar]]</ref>

=== Temirtau ===

There are 2 tram lines in this city.<ref name=Temirtau_city_council_website>[http://temirtau.kz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=4 temirtau.kz | главный сайт Темиртау]</ref>

== Highways ==
[[File:alfarabi3.jpg|200px|thumb|Al-Farabi street, Almaty, Esentai Tower]]
Kazakhstan has a road network stretching over {{convert|96,000|km|abbr=on}}, most of which is in need of modernization and repair.

* ''Total:'' {{convert|189,000|km}} (2002)<ref name=nationalencyclopedia>[http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Kazakhstan-TRANSPORTATION.html Transportation - Kazakhstan - infrastructure]</ref>
* ''Paved:'' {{convert|108,100|km|abbr=on}} (2002)
* ''Unpaved:'' {{convert|80,900|km|abbr=on}} (2002)

It is stated in the ''CIA Factbook'' that Kazakhstan has a total road network of {{convert|93,612|km|abbr=on}} which is made up of: paved, {{convert|84,100|km|abbr=on}} and unpaved, {{convert|9,512|km|abbr=on}} (2008).<ref name=ciafactbook/>

{{as of|2011}}, there were 3,264,400 registered cars.<ref>http://www.kaz-news.kz/2011/07/30/v-kazahstane-rezko-uvelichilos-kolichestvo-avtomobiley.html</ref>

{{as of|2017}}, there were 3 845 301 registered cars, total 4 425 770 unit of autotransport by information «Казинформ»(Kazinform [http://www.inform.kz/]).<ref>http://www.yk.kz/news/show/37246</ref>

Five international routes pass through Kazakhstan, totaling {{convert|23,000|km|abbr=on}}. These highways are:
* M-36 Highway: Almaty – [[Astana]] – Kostanay (continues to [[Chelyabinsk]])
* Almaty – [[Petropavl]] to Omsk with the release of{{clarify|June|2016|date=June 2016}}
* M-38 Highway: Almaty - [[Semey]] - [[Pavlodar]] (continues to [[Omsk]])
* M-39 Highway: Almaty - [[Shymkent]] (continues to [[Tashkent]])
* M-32 Highway: Shymkent - [[Aktobe]] - [[Oral, Kazakhstan|Oral]] (continues to [[Samara, Russia|Samara]])

In 2009, the country began the construction of the "Western Europe - Western China" highway, which will be completed {{clarify |date=June 2016 |reason=Has it been completed? |text=by 2013}}. The total length of the road will be {{convert|8445|km|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|2787|km|abbr=on}} will be in Kazakhstan, (Aktobe, Kyzylorda, South Kazakhstan, Zhambyl and Almaty oblasts). The thickness of the asphalt and concrete pavement will be {{convert|80|cm|in|abbr=on}}, and the expected lifespan of the highway will be 25 years, without a major overhaul, and the maximum speed limit {{convert|120|km/h|mi/h|abbr=on}}. The project includes a number of bridges over rivers, road maintenance facilities, bus stop areas, ''avtopavilony'', cattle trails, and electronic signage. Simultaneously with the construction of this highway, roads will be repaired and built in areas along its route.<ref>[http://kv.ucoz.kz/news/zapadnaja_evroppa_i_zapadnyj_kitaj_vstrechajutsja_na_zemle_syra/2011-01-01-6616 ЗАПАДНАЯ ЕВРОППА И ЗАПАДНЫЙ КИТАЙ ВСТРЕЧАЮТСЯ НА ЗЕМЛЕ СЫРА - 1 Января 2011 - ОФИЦИАЛЬНЫЙ САЙТ ГАЗЕТЫ "КЫЗЫЛОРДИНСКИЕ ВЕСТИ"]</ref><ref>http://kazpravda.kz/c/1279227092</ref><ref>[http://europe-china.kz/en Западная Европа - Западный Китай Международный Транзитный коридор]</ref>

===Motorways===
The motorway network in Kazakhstan is rather underdeveloped, mainly due to the low population density in the country, which doesn't require wider roads on long distances. The following are the only existing multi-lane, double carriage roads in Kazakhstan:
* A1 - Runs from Astana to [[Shchuchinsk]]. It further continues as the A1 two-lane highway to [[Kokshetau]]. Motorway length: {{convert|250|km|abbr=on}}.
* A2 - Runs from Almaty to a point past [[Uzynagash]]. It further continues as the A2 two-lane highway to [[Shymkent]]. Motorway length: {{convert|58|km|abbr=on}}.
* A2 - Other four-lane portion runs from [[Shymkent]] to Zhibek Zholy, on the border with [[Uzbekistan]]. Length: {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}}.
* A3 - Runs from Almaty to [[Kapshagay]]. It further continues as the A3 two-lane highway to [[Oskemen]]. Motorway length: {{convert|82|km|abbr=on}}.

Total: 490 km

== Pipelines ==
Condensate, {{convert|658|km|abbr=on}}; gas, {{convert|12317|km|abbr=on}}; oil, {{convert|11201|km|abbr=on}}; refined products, {{convert|1095|km|abbr=on}}; water, {{convert|1465|km|abbr=on}} (2010)<ref name=ciafactbook/>

== Waterways and Waterborne Transportation ==
There are {{convert|4000|km|abbr=on}} of waterways on the Syrdariya ([[Syr Darya]]), 80%, and Ertis ([[Irtysh River|Irtysh]])
rivers, (2010)<ref name=ciafactbook/>

== Ports and harbors ==

=== Caspian Sea ===
* [[Aqtau]] (Shevchenko) - railhead {{Track gauge|1524mm}}
* [[Atyrau]] (Gur'yev) - railhead {{Track gauge|1524mm|disp=1}}

=== On rivers ===
* [[Oskemen]] (Ust-Kamenogorsk)
* [[Pavlodar]]
* [[Semey]] (Semipalatinsk)

=== Merchant Marine ===
Total: 11 vessels
By type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1

Foreign-owned: 3 (Austria 1, Ireland 1, Turkey 1), 2010<ref name=ciafactbook/>

== Airports ==

Kazakhstan has a total of 97 airports (2012)<ref name=ciafactbook/>''However, it is quoted as having a total of 449 airports in (2001)<ref name="nationalencyclopedia"/>

The large area of the country and the associated long distances makes air travel a very important component in domestic travel.

=== Airports - with paved runways ===

total: 64<ref name=ciafactbook/>

*over {{convert| 3,047 |m|ft}}: 10
*{{convert|2,438–3,047|m|ft}}: 25
*{{convert| 1,524–2,437 |m|ft}}: 16
*{{convert| 914–1,523 |m|ft}}: 5
*under {{convert| 914 |m|ft}}: 8 (2012)
{{see also|Template:Airports in Kazakhstan}}

=== Airports - with unpaved runways ===
total: 33<ref name=ciafactbook/>
*over {{convert| 3,047 |m|ft}}: 5
*{{convert| 2,438–3,047 |m|ft}}: 7
*{{convert| 1,524–2,437 |m|ft}}: 3
*{{convert| 914–1,523 |m|ft}}: 5
*under {{convert| 914 |m|ft}}: 13 (2012)

=== Heliports ===
Total: 3 (2012)<ref name=ciafactbook/>

== Airlines ==
European Commission blacklisted all Kazakh carriers in 2009, with a sole exception of Air Astana. Since then, Kazakhstan was consistently taking measures to modernize and revamp its air safety oversight. Thus, in 2016 the European air safety authorities removed all Kazakh airlines from blacklist and there was “sufficient evidence of compliance” with international standards by Kazakh airlines and the Civil Aviation Committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sustained safety effort pulled Kazakhstan off EU blacklist|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sustained-safety-effort-pulled-kazakhstan-off-eu-bla-432336/|website=www.flightglobal.com}}</ref>

'''Air Astana''' - most popular Kazakhstani Air operator
{{main article|Air Astana}}
Air Astana (Эйр Астана) is the principal airline and the flag carrier of the Republic of Kazakhstan, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.<ref>"[http://www.airastana.com/kaz/en/Head-Office.aspx Head Office]." Air Astana. Retrieved on 21 December 2010. "Registered office 4A, Zakarpatskaya Street, Almaty, 050039, Kazakhstan"</ref> It operates scheduled domestic and international services on 56 routes from its main hub, [[Almaty International Airport]], and from its 2 secondary hubs, [[Astana International Airport]] and [[Atyrau Airport]]. It is a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s [[sovereign wealth fund]] Samruk-Kazyna (51%), and BAE Systems PLC (49%). It was incorporated in October 2001, and started commercial flights on 15 May 2002. At the 2012 World Airline Awards held at [[Farnborough Airshow]] in the UK, Air Astana was named the ''Best Airline in Central Asia & India''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.satrapia.com/news/article/air-astana-named-best-airline-in-central-asia-india/|title=Air Astana named Best Airline in Central Asia & India|accessdate=20 July 2012|newspaper=The Gazette of Central Asia|date=17 July 2012|publisher=Satrapia}}</ref>

'''Qazaq Air''' - New airline
[[Qazaq Air]] is a new airline in Kazakhstan.

===Destinations===
[[Air Astana]] operates the following destinations (as of April 2009):
[[Image:Air astana.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Air Astana [[Boeing 757]] aircraft at [[Suvarnabhumi Airport]] in Bangkok, Thailand]]

[[Image:P4-PAS.JPG|right|220px|thumb|Air Astana [[Airbus-320]] aircraft at [[Aktau Airport]]]]

=== Domestic (Kazakhstan) ===
*[[Aktau]] ([[Aktau Airport]])
*[[Aktobe]] ([[Aktobe Airport]])
*[[Almaty]] ([[Almaty International Airport]]) ('''Hub''')
*[[Astana]] ([[Astana International Airport]]) ('''Hub''')
*[[Atyrau]] ([[Atyrau Airport]])
*[[Karaganda]] ([[Sary-Arka Airport]])
*[[Kostanay]] ([[Kostanay Airport]])
*[[Kyzylorda]] ([[Kyzylorda Airport]])
*[[Oral, Kazakhstan|Oral]] ([[Oral Ak Zhol Airport]])
*[[Oskemen]] ([[Oskemen Airport]])
*[[Pavlodar]] ([[Pavlodar Airport]])
*[[Petropavl]] ([[Petropavl Airport]])
*[[Semey]] ([[Semey Airport]])
*[[Shymkent]] ([[Shymkent International Airport]])
*[[Zhezkazgan]] ([[Zhezkazgan Airport]])

=== Asia ===
*[[China]]
**[[Beijing]] ([[Beijing Capital International Airport]])
**[[Urumqi]] ([[Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport]])
*[[India]]
**[[Delhi]] ([[Indira Gandhi International Airport]])
*[[Kyrgyzstan]]
**[[Bishkek]] ([[Manas International Airport]])
*[[South Korea]]
**[[Seoul]] ([[Incheon International Airport]])
*[[Thailand]]
**[[Bangkok]] ([[Suvarnabhumi Airport]])
*[[United Arab Emirates]]
**[[Dubai]] ([[Dubai International Airport]])
*[[Malaysia]]
**[[Kuala Lumpur]] ([[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]])

=== Europe ===
*[[Azerbaijan]]
**[[Baku]] ([[Heydar Aliyev International Airport]]) 
*[[Germany]]
**[[Frankfurt]] ([[Frankfurt Airport]])
*[[Netherlands]]
**[[Amsterdam]] ([[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]])
*[[Russia]]
**[[Moscow]] ([[Sheremetyevo International Airport]])
**[[Novosibirsk]] ([[Tolmachevo Airport]])
*[[Turkey]]
**[[Antalya]] ([[Antalya Airport]])
**[[Istanbul]] ([[Atatürk International Airport]])
*[[United Kingdom]]
**[[London]] ([[London Heathrow Airport]])

==The New Silk Road==
Kazakhstan is actively involved in the [[Eurasian Land Bridge|New Silk Road]] initiative, which is an infrastructure project expected to significantly accelerate and reduce the cost of goods delivery from China to Europe through Central Asia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan turns geography to advantage as China builds a "New Silk Road"|url=http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21632595-kazakhstan-turns-geography-advantage-china-builds-new-silk-road-hardly-oasis|website=www.economist.com}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Kazakhstan]]
*[[Air Astana]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.inform.kz/showarticle.php?lang=eng&id=145827 Kazakhstan, South Korea to set up bus-assembling JV]
* [http://www.airastana.com Air Astana website]
* [http://www.railways.kz/en Kazakhstan Railways website in English]
* [http://www.airportwebsite.com/almaty/ Almaty airport details]
* [http://www.astanaairport.kz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84&Itemid=389&lang=en Official website for Astana Airport in English]
* [http://www.astanaairport.com/ Unofficial website for Astana Airport in English]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{CIA World Factbook}}

{{Transportation in Europe}}
{{Asia topic|Transport in}}
{{Kazakhstan topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport In Kazakhstan}}
[[Category:Transport in Kazakhstan| ]]

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