Baikonur is one of the world’s most extraordinary travel destinations — a place where the legacy of the first human spaceflights meets modern tourism. In this article, Daniyel Serzhanuly, Acting Chairman of Kazakh Tourism, shares how to plan your visit to Baikonur, what to expect, and why this route to the stars should be on your travel list.
Daniyel Serzhanuly, city — Astana, Acting Chairman of Kazakh Tourism, linkedin
The journey to the stars begins here in Bikonur. If you’ve always dreamed of seeing where the space era began, Baikonur is the place. This legendary complex still preserves the spirit of the first human flights into space. Today, it’s becoming one of the most unique destinations for travelers.
How to get there
Getting to Baikonur is easier than you might think.
There are direct flights from Astana or Almaty to Kyzylorda, where the modern Korkyt Ata Airport welcomes you. From the airport, it’s a 250-kilometer drive to Baikonur — about three hours by car.
Starting from Kyzylorda
Before heading to Baikonur, explore Kyzylorda, a clean and scenic city on the Syr Darya River. Visiting the Regional History Museum for a glimpse into local heritage is a must.
Along the way — the legend of Korkyt-Ata
Stop by the Korkyt-Ata Memorial Complex, dedicated to the 9th-century Turkic philosopher and musician. Legend says he sought immortality through music and created the first kobyz instrument. The epic of Korkyt-Ata is part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Baikonur: the city and the cosmodrome
Baikonur is not only a cosmodrome, but also a city with a unique atmosphere. Residents work at the complex, and Soviet-style architecture and monuments give the city a nostalgic character — all while shaping the future of space exploration.
It is vital to know that a pass is required to visit:
— for Kazakh citizens: 10 days in advance
— for CIS citizens: 20 days in advance
— for other foreigners: 55 days in advance
What to see in Baikonur
Launch Pad No. 1 — Gagarin’s Start
The historic site where the first human spaceflight was launched. Gagarin, Tereshkova, Belka, and Strelka launched from here. With 519 launches in total, the last was in 2019. The area is now managed by Kazakhstan’s Infracos, aiming to develop tourism here. An inspiring and captivating chapter in Kazakhstan’s space tourism starts right here.
Launch Pad No. 2
Here you can find museum complexes, which include:
—a spaceport museum inside the former Officers’ Club
—the memorial homes of Korolev and Gagarin
—the Buran spacecraft.
AFC — assembly and fueling complex
Where rockets were once prepped and fueled before launch. Two Buran spacecraft are preserved inside, where visitors are astonished by their condition.
DTS — dynamic testing stand
Baikonur’s tallest structure, used to test rocket durability under simulated launch conditions. It now houses the massive Energia-M rocket — 50.5 meters tall and 7.7 meters in diameter. It was developed as an eco-friendly alternative to the Proton rocket with a capacity of up to 35 tons to low Earth orbit, 12 tons for interplanetary missions, including flights to the Moon.
What’s new
Kazakhstan’s “Baiterek” space program is underway at the Zenit complex. The first launch is expected by the end of 2025.
Best time to visit
Baikonur hosts from six to seven rocket launches per year, attracting the most tourists. The largest number of tourists visit Baikonur during these launch periods. However, for a first-time trip, I recommend going during the intervals between launches. This way, you can explore the city and its landmarks at a relaxed pace, immerse yourself more deeply in its unique atmosphere, and take your time appreciating the details. You won’t have to wait in line for museums, sites, or tours — and you’ll even have the chance to take unforgettable “cosmic” photos.
Tour routes
Currently, five Kazakh tour operators offer launch and non-launch tours: Rocket Go with Cosmotravel, Photosafari, Silk Road Adventures, and Kontakt Agency.
Launch tour
Duration: two to six days from the moment the rocket is rolled out to the launch pad until you observe it with your eyes.
The tour program includes:
— space and city museums
— launch pads and Gagarin’s Start
— underground command post
— assembly-testing complex
— a unique test stand with the Energia-M rocket
— finally — observation of a real rocket launch from Qazcosmos viewing area with a traditional yurt
Inter-launch tours
They provide access to the unique world of the cosmodrome outside the hustle of launch days. It is an opportunity to slowly see the history of space exploration, walk through the museums and streets where the legendary Gagarin and Korolev lived and worked, and look at their houses that preserve the spirit of the first flights.
The tour program includes:
— launch pads, including the Gagarin Start and the Zenit complex
— the assembly and testing complex
— the dynamic test stand with the Energiya-M rocket
— a memorial installed in memory of fallen rocket engineers
Ethnotourism
There is a combination of the space theme with an ethnocultural route. Immersion in the rich cultural heritage of the Kyzylorda region includes:
— the Korkyt-Ata Memorial
— the Regional Museum in Kyzylorda
— one of the largest rice processing plants in the region
— the village of Nagi Ilyasov — one of the five best tourist villages in Kazakhstan.