Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
★4.7· 44Automatic2.1 L163 hpRear19 seats
35 000 ₸per day
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Minibus rental in Almaty: prices, models and routes from Rent-Trip
Minibus rental in Almaty from Rent-Trip — Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from 35,000 KZT/day and GAZ Gazelle Next from 18,000 KZT/day. Available with or without a driver, we go to the mountains and Kyrgyzstan.
How much does minibus rental cost: prices and options
Let's break down how much minibus rental costs, what affects the price and how to save on a group trip.
Rental cost of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and GAZ Gazelle Next
At Rent-Trip, minibus rental for a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter starts from 35,000 KZT/day, and a GAZ Gazelle Next from 18,000 KZT/day. The Sprinter accommodates up to 15 passengers with luggage, is equipped with climate control and reinforced suspension — it's used for trips to Shymbulak, Charyn Canyon and Issyk-Kul. The Gazelle Next is chosen for city trips and airport transfers: 8 seats, air conditioning, fuel consumption 10-12 L/100 km versus 14-16 L for the Sprinter. In my opinion, the choice between them is primarily a matter of the number of people and the distance of the route. The price difference is due to capacity and comfort: the Sprinter is taken for trips of 10-15 people, the Gazelle for groups of up to 8 people.
What affects the price: rental period, season, route
Our minibus rental price decreases with long-term rentals: 10% discount for a week, up to 20% for a month. Seasonality also plays a role: in winter, the Sprinter is in demand for ski trips to Shymbulak and Akbulak, in summer for excursions to Kolsai Lakes and Charyn. In July-August, demand for minibuses increases by 30-40%, so it's better to book 2-3 weeks in advance — especially for weekends. The route affects the price through mileage: a trip to Kyrgyzstan to Issyk-Kul (250 km one way) adds 15 KZT/km beyond the 200 km/day limit. In our experience, clients often save by combining a multi-day rental with one route — for example, two days for Charyn and Kolsai instead of separate trips.
Price comparison: minibus rental vs taxi for a group
For a group of 8 people, minibus rental is more profitable than a taxi already at a distance of 30 km. For a trip to Shymbulak (20 km from the city), a taxi will cost 5,000-7,000 KZT one way, while a minibus rental for the whole day starts from 18,000 KZT.
| Parameter | Taxi (8 people) | Rent-Trip minibus rental |
|---|---|---|
| Airport transfer (round trip) | 8000-12 000 ₸ | from 18,000 KZT (full day) |
| Trip to Shymbulak (round trip) | 10 000-14 000 ₸ | from 18,000 KZT (full day) |
| Trip to Charyn Canyon (round trip) | 25 000-35 000 ₸ | from 18,000 KZT (full day) |
| Rental for 8 hours with driver | — | from 18 000 ₸ |
Which minibus to choose: Sprinter or Gazelle Next for your needs
Let's figure out which minibus is best for a trip to the mountains, for the city, and for long-distance routes — using two of our models as examples.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: for whom and for which routes
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from Rent-Trip is the best choice for trips to the mountains (Shymbulak, BAO) and long-distance routes (Charyn, Kolsai) thanks to its powerful engine and comfortable suspension. It has 15 seats with seat belts, a large trunk for 10 suitcases, and two air conditioners — in the cabin and in the driver's cab. On the serpentine road to Medeu, the 2.2 L engine (163 hp) confidently pulls uphill even when fully loaded. The Sprinter accommodates up to 15 people with luggage, which is ideal for group outings to nature or to Kyrgyzstan to Issyk-Kul.
GAZ Gazelle Next: budget option for the city and region
GAZ Gazelle Next from Rent-Trip is an economical option for trips around the city and nearby suburbs: price from 18 000 ₸/day with a capacity of up to 8 people. It has 8 seats with air conditioning, a trunk for 5 suitcases, and diesel consumption of 10-11 L/100 km — a trip to the airport (30 km round trip) costs about 800 ₸ in fuel. The Gazelle is more maneuverable than the Sprinter in urban conditions, which is important when parking in the city center and passing through Sergek cameras.
Comparison of Sprinter and Gazelle Next specifications
Rent-Trip's fleet has two models: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (up to 15 seats) and GAZ Gazelle Next (up to 8 seats) — each for its own tasks. For a trip to Kolsai Lakes (300 km from the city), the Sprinter is more comfortable due to better sound insulation and climate control.
| Specification | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | GAZ Gazelle Next |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | up to 15 people | up to 8 people |
| Price per Day | from 35 000 ₸ | from 18 000 ₸ |
| Best route | Mountains, long trips, Kyrgyzstan | City, suburbs, airport |
| Air conditioning | Yes (2 units) | Yes |
| Luggage compartment | Large (up to 10 suitcases) | Medium (up to 5 suitcases) |
What documents are needed for minibus rental and conditions
We'll tell you what documents are needed for renting a minibus, whether you can take a car without a driver, and how insurance works.
Documents for rental: license, ID, contract
To rent a minibus from Rent-Trip, you need an ID and a driver's license with category D (for Sprinter) or B (for Gazelle Next). In short: with category B you can rent a Gazelle Next for 8 people, with category D — a Sprinter for 15 people. We sign a rental agreement with a vehicle condition report — we record scratches, chips, mileage, and fuel level. If you don't have category D, we offer rental with a driver — it's safer and saves you from 'Sergek' fines for improper parking of large vehicles.
Can I rent a minibus without a driver?
Yes, at Rent-Trip you can rent a minibus without a driver — you need a category D license and a deposit of 50,000 ₸. The deposit is refunded after returning the car in the same condition — with mileage not exceeding 200 km/day (excess — 15 ₸/km) and no new damage. Driverless rental is popular among corporate clients who have their own driver with category D, and for wedding trips where the schedule is unpredictable.
Deposit, insurance, and liability
When renting from us, the deposit is 50,000 ₸ for Sprinter and 30,000 ₸ for Gazelle Next — it is blocked on a Kaspi or Halyk card and unblocked on the day of return. Insurance covers damage up to 500,000 ₸ in case of an accident — if the driver did not violate traffic rules (no alcohol, no oncoming traffic). From experience, 90% of clients get their full deposit back — damage is rare, mostly due to carelessness when parking in narrow courtyards. Liability for 'Sergek' fines lies with the driver — we forward photo evidence within 3 days after rental.
Outbound routes: mountains, canyons, Kyrgyzstan
We'll show you what routes are available with a rented minibus from Almaty — from short trips to long expeditions.
Shymbulak, Medeu, and BAO: mountain routes
With a Sprinter from Rent-Trip, you can reach Shymbulak (20 km from the city, altitude 2260 m) in 40 minutes — the road is winding, but the Mercedes suspension handles it. To Medeu (15 km) you can take a Gazelle Next — parking is more spacious there than at Shymbulak. The Big Almaty Lake (BAO, 50 km) is another popular route: the road is paved but with sharp turns. In my opinion, for BAO the Sprinter is better — it has higher ground clearance and better brakes on descents.
Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes: long trips
Charyn Canyon (200 km from the city, 3-4 hours one way) is a route that requires a full day. In a Sprinter with air conditioning and a large trunk, a group of 15 people fits comfortably with provisions and water. Kolsai Lakes (300 km, 5 hours) — the road is partly unpaved after Saty, but the Sprinter handles it without issues. The Gazelle Next is also suitable for these routes, but it shakes more on dirt roads — take it if the group is up to 8 people and you're okay with slight discomfort.
Trip to Kyrgyzstan: Issyk-Kul and Bishkek
With a minibus from Rent-Trip, you can go to Kyrgyzstan — to Issyk-Kul (250 km from the city, 4-5 hours) or to Bishkek (240 km). To cross the border, each passenger needs a passport — check the validity in advance. The Sprinter with 15 seats is ideal for a group trip to Issyk-Kul: beaches of Cholpon-Ata, Jeti-Oguz gorge, hot springs. The Gazelle Next is also suitable, but for 8 people — fewer seats, but also a lower price.
Rental for weddings, corporate events and other scenarios
Let's break down the most popular minibus rental scenarios and how to choose the right model.
Wedding rental: guest transfer and photo shoot
For weddings, we offer a white Sprinter — it accommodates up to 15 guests along with the host and photographer. On the wedding day, the minibus picks up guests from the registry office (Panfilov St. or Abay Ave.), takes them for a photo shoot at the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park, then to the restaurant. A typical route: registry office → park → restaurant — 4-5 hours, price 35,000 ₸ for a Sprinter with driver. The Gazelle Next is rented for small weddings of up to 8 people or for additional transfer of relatives.
Corporate outings: team building and conferences
Corporate clients rent minibuses from us for team building at BAO or in the Alma-Arasan gorge (40 km). A Sprinter carries 15 employees — enough for a department or a small team. For conferences in the city center (Rixos Hotel, Palace of the Republic), they take a Gazelle Next — it's more compact, easier to park near business centers. In our practice, there was a case: a company rented two Sprinters for a trip to Charyn for 30 people — it cost 70,000 ₸ per day with two drivers.
Airport transfer and guest pickup
Renting a minibus to the airport (20 km from the city) is a standard request. A Gazelle Next picks up 8 people with luggage from the terminal, a Sprinter — up to 15 people. Price — from 18,000 ₸ for half a day (4 hours) with a driver, which is cheaper than ordering two taxis at 5,000-7,000 ₸ each. For meeting delegations of 10-15 people, we bring a Sprinter right to the exit of the arrivals area — the trunk fits all suitcases.
Guarantees and trust: why choose Rent-Trip
We'll explain how direct rental from Rent-Trip differs from aggregators and what a private fleet offers.
Private fleet: proven cars without intermediaries
Rent-Trip's fleet includes 6 minibuses: 4 Sprinters and 2 Gazelle Nexts, all serviced every 10,000 km. We are not an aggregator — we don't rent cars from private owners, but maintain each unit ourselves. This means you get a vehicle with a known history: oil changes, brake checks, air conditioning, and suspension. In my opinion, the main advantage of direct rental is predictability: you know the car won't break down on the road to Charyn or Issyk-Kul.
Contract, insurance, and transparent terms
All Rent-Trip rentals are formalized with a contract and vehicle inspection — you record the condition at the start and finish. Insurance is included in the price (coverage up to 500,000 ₸), deposit — 30,000-50,000 ₸ depending on the model. Transparent terms mean no hidden fees: the price in the contract is final, except for mileage over 200 km/day (15 ₸/km) and fuel (return with the same level). In October, we had a case: a client returned the Sprinter a day early — we recalculated the cost based on actual use, no penalty.
Customer reviews and market reputation
On 2GIS and Google Reviews, Rent-Trip has a rating of 4.8 — customers praise punctuality and car condition. A typical review: "We took a Sprinter for a corporate event at BAO — the car was clean, the AC worked, the driver arrived 10 minutes early." Our fleet is known by regular clients — travel agencies, wedding planners, companies — they come back for repeat orders. Our reputation is built on not canceling bookings at the last minute — in season, when demand spikes, this is critical.
Conclusion
Renting a minibus solves the problem of group trips — from wedding transfers to trips to Kolsai or Kyrgyzstan. The choice between Sprinter and Gazelle Next comes down to passenger count and route: 15 seats and comfort vs 8 seats and savings. Direct rental with our own fleet ensures predictability — the car is inspected, the contract is transparent, the deposit is refunded. The main thing is to book in advance during the season and check documents for cross-border travel.