Khorgos to Almaty: pickup at the China border
Coming overland from Horgos in Xinjiang? Kazakh-registered cars cannot enter China, so your driver meets you on the Kazakh side, at the exit of the Nur Zholy checkpoint, with a name sign, and drives you about 350 km and 4 h 45 min to your Almaty hotel. $260 per car in a sedan, $320 in a minivan, $380 in a Land Cruiser and $520 in a Sprinter, with up to 3 hours of waiting for the border included.
- Distance≈350 km
- Drive≈4 h 45 min, highway most of the way
- HandoverKazakh Nur Zholy checkpoint, Khorgos
- Waitingup to 3 h included
- Pricefrom $260 per car
Khorgos to Almaty: pickup at the China border: price per car
| Car | Per car one way | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Camry or similar | $260 | $130 | $87 | — | — |
| Minivan up to 6 Hyundai Staria / Toyota Alphard or similar | $320 | $160 | $107 | $80 | $53 |
| 4x4 up to 4 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado / 300 | $380 | $190 | $127 | $95 | — |
| Sprinter up to 16 Mercedes Sprinter | $520 | $260 | $173 | $130 | $87 |
English-speaking driver included. Prices in US dollars, updated 20 October 2026.
How does the border handover work?
You clear Chinese exit at Horgos, cross the neutral zone on the shuttle, and clear Kazakh entry at Nur Zholy. Your driver tracks your progress on WhatsApp and waits outside the Kazakh terminal with a name sign. Border times vary from 40 minutes to several hours, so up to 3 hours of waiting is in the price; after that, $15 per extra hour.
What should I know before crossing?
- Many nationalities need a Chinese visa; Chinese citizens can visit Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days per stay (90 days in 180). Check the current rules for your passport.
- The crossing can close on some public holidays of either country. We check the schedule for your date.
- Carry cash in tenge or dollars for the first hours; card terminals at the border are unreliable.
Stops on the way
The road passes Zharkent, 30 km from the border, with its 19th-century Chinese-style mosque, a 30-minute stop that is included. If you want Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai Lakes on the way, take the 2-day Khorgos – Charyn – Kolsai trip instead of a straight transfer.
What’s included
- Private car with an English-speaking driver
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Name-sign meeting at the Kazakh terminal exit
- Up to 3 h of border waiting
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
- Pay by card online or to the driver
Not included
- Visas and border fees
- Waiting beyond 3 h ($15/h)
- Meals
VISAMastercard Fixed price, licensed and insured driver, secure card payment by Stripe.
Questions
How much is a transfer from Khorgos to Almaty?
$260 per car for a sedan for up to 3 guests, $320 for a minivan for 6, $380 for a Land Cruiser and $520 for a 16-seat Sprinter. Fuel, tolls and an English-speaking driver are included.
Can the car cross into China?
No. Kazakh-registered cars cannot take passengers into China at Khorgos. Your driver meets you on the Kazakh side, outside the Nur Zholy checkpoint.
How long does the drive take?
About 4 h 45 min for roughly 350 km, mostly on the highway, plus any stop in Zharkent.
What if the border takes longer than expected?
Up to 3 hours of waiting is included; after that it is $15 per hour. Keep the driver posted on WhatsApp.