Kazakhstan is the most expensive of the Central Asian countries, and the government is trying to reign in inflation rates hitting 8.5%. Hotel prices in particular have risen sharply and finding budget accommodation has become a trying experience. If you're travelling with a friend, staying in modest hotels, eating in cheaper restaurants and travelling by bus or train, you can get around for about US$30.00 - US$50.00 . You can cut this further by shopping for your food in bazaars, staying in people's houses, avoiding taxis and staying away from cities as much as possible. If you have to stay in a tourist hotel, your budget may go up substantially. Other little luxuries include car hire, imported beer and Mars bars, which will really blow you out. As a foreigner, you will often have to pay more for services than the locals do.

Kazakhstan has the most advanced banking system in Central Asia, and credit card use is on the increase. Generally, though, you can't rely on anything but cash. US dollars are the easiest to exchange (particularly on the black market) but the Euro can also come in handy. Most banks will only accept new notes. You may be able to change travellers' cheques in Almaty - American Express are the most widely accepted.

Tipping is not common, although a few top end restaurants automatically add a 5% to 15% service charge to the bill. Tipping runs counter to many people's Islamic sense of hospitality, and may even offend them. Shops have fixed prices but bargaining in bazaars is expected.

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