
Daily car rental in Almaty: 8 models, prices and terms from Rent-Trip
Car rental in Almaty by the day — a convenient format for trips around the city, to the mountains or out of town. At Rent-Trip — own fleet of 8 models: from Skoda Rapid at 8,500 ₸ to BMW M5 at 61,000 ₸.
How much does daily car rental cost: prices for all models
The main question for renters is price. Let's break down the cost of each Rent-Trip model, deposit, km limit and surcharges.
Prices for all Rent-Trip models: from economy to premium
At Rent-Trip, daily car rental starts from 8,500 ₸ (Skoda Rapid) and goes up to 61,000 ₸ (BMW M5).
| Model | Category | Price per Day | Deposit | Km limit/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skoda Rapid | Economy | 8 500 ₸ | 50 000 ₸ | 200 km |
| Nissan Sentra | Comfort | 10 500 ₸ | 70 000 ₸ | 200 km |
| Geely Coolray | Off-road vehicle | 17 000 ₸ | 100 000 ₸ | 200 km |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | Off-road vehicle | 19 000 ₸ | 120 000 ₸ | 200 km |
| Lexus ES | Business | 28 000 ₸ | 150 000 ₸ | 200 km |
| Nissan Elgrand | Minivan | 30 000 ₸ | 150 000 ₸ | 200 km |
| Volkswagen Arteon | Business | 30 000 ₸ | 150 000 ₸ | 200 km |
| BMW M5 | Unique | 61 000 ₸ | 300 000 ₸ | 200 km |
For trips out of town or to the mountains, choose SUVs — they are more expensive than economy cars but cheaper than a fine for a breakdown on the highway.
Deposit and how to get it back
We take a deposit from 50,000 to 300,000 ₸ depending on the model — it is fully refunded when the car is returned without damage. The deposit is blocked on a Kaspi or Halyk card and unblocked within 1-3 days after return — keep this in mind when planning your budget. In my opinion, this is the most common question from new clients: 'Will the money be returned?' — yes, if the car is returned in the same condition.
Extra charge for excess mileage and additional km
At Rent-Trip, the mileage limit is 200 km per day, each additional km costs 50 ₸ for economy and 100 ₸ for business class. If you are planning a long trip (Charyn Canyon — 400 km round trip), it is cheaper to rent a car for two days or agree on an increased limit in advance. In our practice, clients often underestimate the distance to Charyn — 200 km seems like a reserve, but in reality it is only one way.
What documents are needed and who can rent a car
To rent a car, you only need an ID and a driver's license. But there are age and experience restrictions.
What documents are needed to rent a car
To rent a car for a day at Rent-Trip, you need an ID (identity card or foreign passport) and a category B driver's license.
- Identity card: original (ID or foreign passport)
- Driver's license: category B, valid for the entire rental period
- International driver's license: accepted, we check the validity period
- Rental agreement: we sign at the office or upon car delivery
If you have an international driver's license — we accept it, but we check the validity period: the license must be valid for the entire rental period.
Age and experience: who can rent
We rent cars to renters aged 21 and above with at least 2 years of driving experience — for economy and comfort; for business and unique models — from 25 years old and at least 3 years of experience. If you are 21-24 and want a BMW M5 — unfortunately, it won't work: this restriction is due to insurance, not distrust of young drivers. Moreover, insurance companies in Kazakhstan set these limits strictly — we cannot bypass them.
Can I rent without a deposit
At Rent-Trip, rental without a deposit is possible for regular customers after 3 successful rentals — for new customers, a deposit is mandatory. The deposit is not our whim, but a standard practice of all rental companies in Kazakhstan: it covers possible fines from 'Sergek' cameras and minor damages. And yes, 'Sergek' cameras in Almaty record everything — speeding, running a red light, lane markings — the fine arrives in 2-3 weeks.
Insurance and accidents: what is covered and what to do
Insurance is the main question when renting. Let's break down what the Rent-Trip policy covers and how to act in an emergency.
What insurance is included in the rental
The cost of renting a car for a day at Rent-Trip includes full third-party liability insurance and theft insurance for the car.
- Mandatory insurance: included in the price, covers third-party damage and theft
- Extended insurance: +1,500 ₸/day, covers wheels, glass, underbody
- Deductible: 10% of repair costs in case of an accident (without extended insurance)
- Not covered: damage from traffic violations (fines), driving under the influence
Please note: insurance does not cover damage to wheels, glass, and underbody — these risks can be covered by extended insurance for 1,500 ₸/day.
What to do in case of an accident in a rental car
In case of an accident, call us on our 24-hour number — we coordinate calling the police, filling out a European accident report, and towing the car at our expense. If the accident occurs outside the city (e.g., on the Almaty — Charyn highway), do not try to settle the matter on the spot without documents — without a police report, the insurance will not cover repairs. In our practice, there was a case where a client settled on the spot, and then the insurance refused — they had to pay out of pocket.
How to choose a car for your task: city, mountains, highway
Each Rent-Trip model is better suited for certain tasks. Let's break down what to take for the city, for the mountains, and for long trips.
For the city: economy and comfort
For daily trips around the city — to work, meetings, shopping — the Skoda Rapid (8,500 ₸/day) and Nissan Sentra (10,500 ₸/day) are optimal. They are compact, maneuverable in traffic jams, and park on narrow streets (Medeu district, Samal microdistrict). Fuel consumption is 7-8 L per 100 km, a tank of 92-octane gasoline for the day will cost 2,500-3,000 ₸. Keep in mind that during rush hour (8:00-9:30 and 18:00-19:30) traffic jams on Al-Farabi Avenue and Satpayev Street increase consumption to 10 L.
For the mountains: SUVs
For Medeu, Shymbulak, or BAO, take the Geely Coolray (17,000 ₸/day) or Volkswagen Tiguan (19,000 ₸/day). All-wheel drive and ground clearance from 180 mm — you'll easily navigate the serpentine road to the Medeu skating rink (1,700 m above sea level) or to the Kok-Zhaylau plateau. In winter, studded tires are mandatory — on the Tiguan they are installed by default. In my opinion, the Coolray is the best option for a couple: economical (8 L/100 km) and capable.
For highways and long trips: business and unique
For the Charyn Canyon (400 km round trip) or Kolsai Lake (600 km), choose the Lexus ES (28,000 ₸/day), Volkswagen Arteon (30,000 ₸/day), or BMW M5 (61,000 ₸/day). They are stable at high speeds (140-150 km/h on the Almaty — Kapchagay highway), have cruise control and sound insulation — you get less tired. On the Lexus ES, highway consumption is 6-7 L of diesel, on the BMW M5 — 10-12 L of 98-octane gasoline; consider the difference in fuel.
Where to go with a rental car: routes from Almaty
Almaty is an excellent starting point for 1-2 day trips. We offer three proven routes.
Route 1: Charyn Canyon (one day)
In a rental car, you reach the canyon in 3 hours (200 km on the Almaty — Kegen highway). The road is paved all the way to the entrance — any model will do, but an SUV is more convenient: the last 5 km are a dirt road. Entrance to the canyon is 500 ₸ per person, parking is 300 ₸. Return before sunset: in the dark on the dirt road it's easy to miss a pothole (we had a case of a punctured tire on a Sentra).
Route 2: Medeu — Shymbulak (half a day)
Drive up the serpentine road to the Medeu skating rink (15 km from the center, 30 minutes). The road is a serpentine with sharp turns, icy in winter. An SUV or a car with studded tires is mandatory. Parking at the rink is 500 ₸, then to Shymbulak — another 10 km of serpentine (600 m ascent). In an economy car (Skoda Rapid) in winter, don't risk it — traction on ice is poor.
Route 3: Kolsai Lake (two days)
Drive 300 km to the Kolsai Lakes (4 hours on the Almaty — Narynkol highway). The road is paved to the village of Sata, the last 20 km are a dirt road uphill. Stay overnight in guest houses (from 5,000 ₸/night). For this route, take an SUV — Geely Coolray or Tiguan: in a Lexus ES with low ground clearance, it's risky to drive on the dirt road after rain.
Rental rules: km limit, fines, Sergek cameras
Rental terms at Rent-Trip are transparent — no hidden fees. Let's break down the key points.
Mileage limit and excess mileage
As already mentioned, the limit is 200 km/day. If you exceed it, there is an additional charge of 50-100 ₸ for each extra km. From the center to the airport is 20 km, to Medeu is 15 km, to Charyn is 200 km. Practical advice: if you're going to Charyn, take the car for two days — 200 km round trip + 50 km for canyon exploration = 450 km. Two days with a limit of 400 km + 50 km surcharge (2,500 ₸) is more profitable than one day with an excess of 250 km (12,500 ₸).
Fines from 'Sergek' cameras
'Sergek' cameras in Almaty record speeding (fine from 5,000 ₸), running a red light (from 10,000 ₸), driving in a dedicated lane (from 15,000 ₸). The fine arrives in 2-3 weeks — we deduct it from the deposit. If you disagree, we provide a copy of the decision, and you can appeal via eGov.kz. In our practice, 80% of fines are for exceeding the speed limit by 10-20 km/h on Abay Avenue.
Car return: what we check
Upon return, we inspect the body, interior, wheels, and undercarriage. Minor scratches up to 5 cm are not a problem—they are considered normal wear. Larger damage will be repaired at your expense (based on service station receipts). We check the fuel level: the car must be returned with the same tank level as when picked up. If not refilled, you pay the fuel receipt plus a 1,000 ₸ surcharge for the time spent refueling.
Additional services: delivery, child seat, travel to Kyrgyzstan
Rent-Trip offers options that make renting more convenient. Let's break down the costs and conditions.
Car delivery: to the airport and around the city
We deliver cars to Almaty Airport (1,500 ₸) and within the city (1,000 ₸). If you're arriving, order delivery to the terminal: we meet you at the exit, sign the contract, and you drive off immediately. Delivery time is 30-40 minutes from the call. Return is similar: leave the car at the airport parking lot, and we pick it up (also 1,500 ₸).
Child seat and additional equipment
Child seat (group 1-2-3, for 9 to 36 kg) — 1,000 ₸/day. GPS navigator — 500 ₸/day (but modern cars have Android Auto/Apple CarPlay). Winter studded tires — free, installed by default on Tiguan and Coolray. On economy models, winter tires are available on request for 500 ₸/day.
Travel to Kyrgyzstan: conditions and surcharges
Travel to Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek, Issyk-Kul) is possible with business-class cars (Lexus ES, Arteon) and SUVs (Tiguan, Coolray). Surcharge — 5,000 ₸ for processing the exit permit. You must take extended insurance (1,500 ₸/day) — the basic policy is not valid in Kyrgyzstan. At the border (Kordai), documents are checked; the queue is 30-60 minutes. In our experience, clients drive to Issyk-Kul in a Tiguan — the road is good, 4 hours to Cholpon-Ata.
Conclusion
Renting a car for a day is a simple way to get around the city and beyond. The main thing is to choose the right model for your needs: economy for the city, SUV for the mountains, business for the highway. Transparent prices, deposit, insurance, and mileage limit — these parameters should be checked before signing the contract. Plan your route in advance, consider rush hour traffic and Sergek cameras, and your trip will go smoothly.






















