Travelling from Almaty Airport (ALA) to Shymkent Airport (CIT): what you need to know
On average, direct flights from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport take 1 hour 20 minutes. Shimkent and Almaty are in the same timezone (UTC+6), so you won't have to change your watch once you arrive.
Each week, there are 103 flights from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport. If you want to get going early, opt for the 00:50 SCAT Airlines flight. If you'd rather make the most of your time before flying, the last flight from ALA to CIT is 23:30 with SCAT Airlines.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights when you fly during a peak period in general.
Air Astana runs direct flights from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to take in the sights in Shimkent — and maybe even more of Kazakhstan if your schedule allows.
We make it easy to get a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for flights from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight with a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Popular stopovers between ALA and CIT are:
Aktau International Airport
Atyrau Airport
Aktyubinsk Airport
For a domestic flight within Kazakhstan, you don't need a visa or even a passport. However, you'll have to present some form of identity document, like an ID card or driver's license. Once you've found your cheap ticket from ALA to CIT, check your ID is up to date before you travel.
How to find the cheapest flights from Almaty Airport (ALA) to Shymkent Airport (CIT)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport is $48. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $98. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To score cheap flight tickets from ALA to CIT, book your trip 1 month ahead of your planned departure.
The cheapest month for tickets from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have flexible travel dates.
Getting a cheap ticket from ALA to CIT is straightforward with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Use filters to find the perfect trip for you. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
Handy information about Almaty Airport (ALA)
Central Almaty to Almaty Airport is approximately 24 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 37 minutes to get there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
Searching for a handy hotel close to ALA? If you're boarding an early flight from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
Arriving at Shymkent Airport (CIT)
Book a hotel near CIT if you're on a late flight from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Getting from Shymkent Airport (CIT) to central Shimkent
Shymkent Airport is roughly 0.16 kilometres from central Shimkent. How long it'll take to get to the centre in a cab or car rental depends on the time of day. Do a little research before your trip.
When to fly to Shymkent Airport (CIT)
June is the busiest month for flights from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport. To skip the crowds, visit Shimkent in February.
The warmest month in Shimkent is July, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC and 38ºC. Book your flights from Almaty Airport to Shymkent Airport in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
January sees average temperatures of between -10ºC and 7ºC. Look for cheap flight tickets from ALA to CIT sometime then if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Shimkent
Start your Shimkent trip right by finding a wonderful place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from ALA to CIT, check out our range of hotel options including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Central Park, Ethno Museum Kyluyet and Hotel Bellagio Shymkent are must-visits when exploring Shimkent.
Complete your Shimkent trip with hotels and a car rental
You've locked in your cheap ticket to Shymkent Airport — now it's time to find a place to stay, and perhaps even a set of wheels. We've compared prices across hundreds of companies to bring you the top hotels and car rental deals in Shimkent.