
Gazelle rental in Almaty: prices, terms and routes from Rent-Trip
Looking for a Gazelle rental in Almaty? Rent-Trip rents GAZ Gazelle Next from 18,000 ₸/day — with or without driver, delivery to the airport. Own fleet, Kaspi and Halyk, contract and deposit. No intermediaries — book directly.
How much does it cost to rent a Gazelle per day in Almaty
The main client question is price. Let's break down Rent-Trip rates: daily, hourly, with and without driver, what's included.
Base rental price for Next — from 18,000 ₸/day
Our GAZ Gazelle Next rental starts from 18,000 ₸/day — this is the base rate without driver, with a daily mileage of 200 km. This amount includes the car itself, OSAGO and CASCO insurance for the entire rental period. Cars are 2023–2024 model year, undergo pre-trip inspection — we check the brake system, lights, oil level and tire pressure before each delivery. If you need more kilometers, each additional km costs 50 ₸ — it's more profitable to immediately choose a tariff with increased mileage.
Rates: daily, hourly, with driver
We offer three rates: daily without driver (18,000 ₸), daily with driver (25,000 ₸) and hourly (2,500 ₸/hour, minimum 3 hours). With a driver, you don't pay a deposit and don't worry about fines — all risks are on us.
| Rate | Price | Mileage | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily without driver | 18 000 ₸ | 200 km | 50 000 ₸ |
| Daily with driver | 25 000 ₸ | 300 km | Not required |
| Hourly (from 3 h) | 2,500 ₸/h | 50 km/h | 50 000 ₸ |
What's included in the price and what extra charges may apply
The base rental price for a Gazelle in Almaty includes the vehicle itself, insurance, and a base mileage — no hidden fees. Extra charges apply only for exceeding the mileage limit, traveling outside the city, and moving services — all at a fixed rate.
- Insurance: included in the price — OSAGO and CASCO insurance for the entire rental period
- Excess mileage: 50 KZT/km over the limit
- Travel to Kyrgyzstan: +5,000 KZT to the rate (document processing)
- Movers: 3,000 KZT/hour (minimum 2 hours)
What documents are needed to rent a Gazelle
To rent a Gazelle, you need a minimum of documents. Here's what exactly and what the requirements for the renter are.
What documents are needed to rent a Gazelle
To rent a Gazelle, you only need an ID and a driver's license of category B — we sign the contract on the spot in 10 minutes. If you rent with a driver, you don't need a license — just an ID and contact details.
- Identity card: original or notarized copy
- Driver's license: category B, driving experience of at least 2 years
- Age: 21 years or older (under 21 — with written parental consent)
- Rental agreement: we sign at the office or upon vehicle delivery
Is a deposit required when renting a Gazelle?
Yes, when renting without a driver, we take a deposit of 50,000 KZT — it is fully refunded if the vehicle is returned undamaged and on time. The deposit can be paid in cash, via Kaspi or Halyk — we return it to your card on the day of return if everything is fine. In our practice, there was a case where a customer returned the car with a scratch on the rear bumper — we deducted 8,000 KZT for painting, and returned the remaining 42,000 KZT the same day. Before departure, be sure to photograph the body from all sides — this will save you nerves upon return.
Rental conditions: driving experience, age, restrictions
We allow drivers aged 21 and older with at least 2 years of experience — this is standard for all rental companies. If your experience is less than 2 years, you can rent with a driver — it's safer and no deposit required. In my opinion, beginners behind the wheel of a Gazelle should be careful on the descents to Medeu — the braking system of a loaded vehicle behaves differently than in a car.
Can I rent a Gazelle without a driver
Rental without a driver is a popular format. Let's break down who it suits and what you need to know.
Rental without a driver: who it suits and how it works
Yes, we rent out Gazelles without a driver — you drive the vehicle yourself, and we sign the contract and hand over the keys under a deposit of 50,000 KZT. This option is beneficial if you plan several trips in a day or want to control the route yourself — for example, to move furniture around the city. The GAZ Gazelle Next in the base configuration is equipped with power steering and air conditioning, so it's comfortable behind the wheel even in the summer heat, which reaches +35°C in July.
Rental with a driver: when it's more advantageous
Rental with a driver costs 25,000 KZT/day — it's more expensive, but you don't pay a deposit and are not responsible for fines. It's especially convenient for trips outside the city — to Medeu or Shymbulak — the driver knows the road and doesn't get distracted by the navigator. In our orders over 30,000 KZT, customers more often choose with a driver, because on the mountain serpentines to the Big Almaty Lake, you need an experienced hand — the elevation change is almost 1,000 meters over 30 km.
What you cannot do with a rented Gazelle
It is strictly forbidden to carry passengers in the cargo area — this results in a fine of 5 MCI (17,250 ₸ under Kazakhstan's Administrative Code) and is life-threatening. Do not exceed the load capacity of 1.5 tons — in practice, this means a standard euro truckload of furniture (wardrobe, sofa, bed) fits without issues, but construction materials like cement bags must be weighed. It is prohibited to travel to Kyrgyzstan without prior approval — paperwork takes 2 days, and illegal departure risks a fine of up to 100 MCI (345,000 ₸).
Where to rent a Gazelle: private owner or company
Choosing between a private lessor and a company is a matter of money and peace of mind. Let's compare the approaches.
Rent-Trip: why we are not an aggregator but a direct rental service
Rent-Trip owns a fleet of 12 GAZ Gazelle Next vans, rather than being a platform where private owners list their vehicles. We prepare each vehicle for delivery ourselves: washing, refueling, checking the chassis and electronics. We have fixed prices with no haggling — no surprises on the final amount. In October, we had a case: a client ordered a van for a house move, but upon pickup realized he had forgotten his license. We offered a driver for 2,500 ₸/hour instead of canceling the booking — he moved his belongings on time.
Private lessors: risks and hidden costs
Private lessors on OLX and Krisha often lure with a price of 12,000–14,000 ₸/day, but in reality add a 'delivery fee' (2,000–3,000 ₸), take a deposit of up to 100,000 ₸, and do not sign a contract. If the vehicle is caught by a 'Sergek' camera, the fine comes to you, not the lessor, because there is no official contract. On average in the city, disputes with private lessors over fines last 2–3 weeks, while companies with a contract reissue them within 1 day.
How to check a company before renting
Before booking, request the company's BIN, check on 2GIS for an office and reviews from the last six months. Rent-Trip has an office in the Auezov district (Shalyapin St., 45) and a rating of 4.8 on 2GIS — we don't hide behind a virtual address. Ask for photos of the specific vehicle you intend to rent, not generic internet pictures.
Fines and liability: what you need to know
Traffic rules are specific — 'Sergek' cameras and restrictions for cargo vehicles. We break down what the risks are and how to avoid them.
How 'Sergek' cameras work and who pays the fines
In Almaty, over 2,000 'Sergek' cameras are installed, recording speeding, running red lights, and lane violations. If you rent a van without a driver, all fines come to you as the person named in the contract. We forward fines to clients within 24 hours of receipt — via Kaspi or email. Our statistics: over a month of renting an average van, 1–2 fines come in for 5,000–20,000 ₸, mostly for speeding on Al-Farabi Avenue.
Restrictions for cargo vehicles
The Gazelle falls under category N1 (cargo vehicle up to 3.5 tons), so restrictions apply: entry to the city center (within the ring of Abay Ave. — Timiryazev St. — Baizakov St. — Dostyk Ave.) is prohibited from 7:00 to 10:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00 on weekdays. The fine for violation is 5 MCI (17,250 ₸). We provide clients with a memo containing a map of permitted routes — it can be hung on the dashboard. Restrictions do not apply on weekends, so moves are best planned for Saturday or Sunday.
How to avoid fines: tips for renters
Before setting out, study the route via 2GIS with the 'cargo vehicle' filter — the app will show permitted roads. Stay in the right lane on highways — left lanes are often occupied by route buses and taxis. If you are caught by a camera, don't guess: fines arrive within 3–7 days, and you can pay them with a 50% discount within the first 7 days via Kaspi or Halyk. In our experience, clients who pre-downloaded the 'Sergek' app received half as many fines — notifications come instantly.
Where to go with a Gazelle in Almaty and surroundings
The Gazelle is not just for moves. You can take it out into nature or to neighboring cities. We share proven routes.
Popular routes: Medeu, Shymbulak, BAO
The Gazelle comfortably reaches Medeu (15 km from the center, 40 minutes) — the road is paved, parking costs 200 ₸/hour. To Shymbulak (20 km, 50 minutes) — a serpentine road with a 700-meter ascent, the Gazelle goes in first-second gear, fuel consumption 15–18 L/100 km. Big Almaty Lake (BAO, 30 km, 1 hour) — gravel for the last 5 km, but the Gazelle with its 170 mm ground clearance handles it without issues. In summer, the temperature at BAO is 8–10°C lower than in the city — bring jackets.
Travel to Kyrgyzstan: what you need to know
You can drive the Gazelle to Bishkek (240 km, 3.5 hours) via the 'Ak-Zhol' or 'Korday' checkpoints. For exit, you need a rental contract with a note permitting exit, the vehicle's registration certificate, and a 'Green Card' insurance (processed in 1 day, 5,000 ₸). You cannot leave without notice — the border requires the original contract, and if you don't have it, you'll be turned back. We had a case: a client went to Charyn Canyon (200 km, 3 hours) without notice, and only realized on site that the road was unpaved — the Gazelle made it, but the undercarriage needed 2 hours of washing.
Long-distance trips: Charyn Canyon, Kolsai
Charyn Canyon (200 km from the city, 3 hours) — asphalt to the village of Shonzhy, then 10 km of gravel. The Gazelle, with its 3,650 mm wheelbase, maneuvers on narrow sections, but it's better to take a driver — he knows where to avoid potholes. Kolsai Lakes (300 km, 4.5 hours) — the road to Sata is asphalt, the last 12 km are a serpentine with a 600-meter ascent. Fuel consumption on such a route is 20–22 L/100 km, keep this in mind when budgeting. For Kolsai, it's best to leave at 6 a.m. to see all three lakes in daylight.
Conclusion
Renting a Gazelle is not just for transporting furniture or construction materials, but also for accessing mountains, canyons, and neighboring countries. The main thing is to choose a reliable service with transparent terms: fixed price, contract, and a clear deposit system. Before booking, check the documents, discuss the route, and ensure insurance is included. If you plan to go out of town, find out the road conditions and the availability of gas stations along the way. Have a safe trip!