Tour & Activity Scams in Astana, Kazakhstan
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Astana β how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Samarkand, Almaty, and Tashkent.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
1
Tour & Activities Scams
8
Total in Astana
How it works
Informal individuals near Bayterek Tower and the Expo site offer city tours of Astana's architectural landmarks without official licensing, insurance, or accurate historical knowledge. They present themselves as certified guides, charge premium prices for a brief walking tour, and sometimes use the tour as an opportunity to bring visitors to partner shops or "cultural centers" where commission sales occur.
See all scams in Astana
8 total warnings across all categories