Kazakhstan Airports 2026: All 18, IATA Codes & City Transfers

Most travelers will only need two airports: Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ). These two hubs alone handle 85% of international traffic and connect to every other city. The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan reported on January 30, 2026 that Kazakhstan airports served 31.8 million passengers on 135 international routes to 30 countries. Whether you are flying to Kazakhstan for the first time or connecting to specific regions - the Mangystau desert, the Almaty mountains, the Astana architecture, or southern areas - this guide explains the two main hubs in detail, then compacts the remaining 16 regional airports into a reference table.

The Hub System: Where Most Traffic Flows

Metric	Reality in 2026
Two real hubs	Almaty (ALA), ~6.5M pax/year; Astana (NQZ), ~5M pax/year
International reach	40+ destinations from ALA; 20+ from NQZ. Only 5 airports have intl.
Domestic network	15-20 daily flights Almaty-Astana; all regional airports serve these
Your typical route	Fly to ALA or NQZ, then short domestic hop (1-3h) to your destination

Complete Reference: All 18 Airports

Kazakhstan's 18 commercial airports span a territory the size of Western Europe. All feed into the two hubs. The table below groups them by region and shows international access.

Region	Airport	IATA	Primary Routes	Airlines
Hubs	Almaty International	ALA	40+ intl + all domestic	Air Astana, FlyArystan, Turkish, intl
	Nursultan Nazarbayev (Astana)	NQZ	20+ intl + all domestic	Air Astana, FlyArystan, Turkish
South	Shymkent International	CIT	Istanbul, Moscow, intl	Air Astana, FlyArystan, Turkish
	Turkestan (Khoja Ahmed Yasawi)	HSA	Almaty, Astana	FlyArystan
	Taraz (Aulie-Ata)	DMB	Almaty, Astana	FlyArystan, SCAT
	Kyzylorda	KZO	Almaty, Astana	FlyArystan, SCAT
West	Aktau International	SCO	Istanbul, Moscow, intl	Air Astana, FlyArystan, Turkish
	Atyrau International	GUW	Istanbul, Moscow, intl	Air Astana, FlyArystan, Turkish
	Oral (Uralsk)	URA	Almaty, Astana	Air Astana, FlyArystan, SCAT
North	Kostanay	KSN	Almaty, Astana	Air Astana, FlyArystan, SCAT
	Petropavlovsk	PPK	Almaty, Astana	Air Astana, FlyArystan
Central	Karaganda (Sary-Arka)	KGF	Almaty, Astana	Air Astana, FlyArystan, SCAT
	Balkhash	BXH	Almaty, Astana	SCAT
East	Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk)	UKK	Almaty, Astana	Air Astana, FlyArystan, SCAT
	Semey	PLX	Almaty, Astana	FlyArystan, SCAT
	Pavlodar	PWQ	Almaty, Astana	Air Astana, FlyArystan
Northwest	Aktobe	AKX	Almaty, Astana	Air Astana, FlyArystan, SCAT
Southeast	Taldykorgan	TDK	Almaty, Astana	FlyArystan

Hub 1: Almaty International Airport (ALA) - Your Central Asia Entry Point

Almaty is the largest airport in Kazakhstan and handles ~6.5 million passengers yearly. Located 15 km northeast of Almaty city center, ALA is the primary hub for Air Astana and FlyArystan, and where you'll find the widest range of international connections. Most visitors to Kazakhstan land here first.

Practical facts:

Element	Detail
IATA code	ALA
Annual pax	~6.5 million (2024), most in Central Asia
Distance to city	15 km northeast, 25-35 min by taxi
Terminals	2 (domestic + international)
Runway	4,401 m, all aircraft capable
Peak hour traffic	Early morning (6-9 AM), early evening (6-9 PM)

Who You Can Reach Direct from Almaty

40+ international destinations, more than any Central Asian airport. Key routes: Frankfurt & London (Europe), Dubai & Doha (Middle East), Beijing & Seoul (East Asia), Bangkok (Southeast Asia), Moscow (Russia, multiple daily), plus Tashkent, Bishkek, Baku, and Tbilisi (regional). Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is the most common connection point for North America and Australia.

Terminal 2: Modern Facilities (Upgraded 2017)

Fast track checklist for first-time arrivals:

• ATMs first. Kaspi Bank or Halyk Bank ATMs in arrivals offer better rates than currency exchange desks (3-5% markup on exchang)
• SIM card. Beeline or Kcell kiosks in arrivals hall; ~1,500 KZT for 5 GB. (Passport required for registration.)
• Lounge access. Air Astana business lounge accepts Priority Pass. Free for eligible credit card holders
• Food. Cafes/restaurants in departures; limited options in arrivals. Expect 1,500-3,000 KZT for a meal
• Wi-Fi. Free (register by phone number or watch ad)
• Luggage storage. Available near arrivals, ~500 KZT per bag per day

Getting from Almaty Airport to City Center

Transport	Cost	Time	Notes
Yandex Taxi	2,000-3,000 KZT ($4-6)	25-35 min	Best option. Order in the app, go to pickup zone
InDrive	1,800-2,500 KZT ($3.50-5)	25-35 min	Bid-based; slightly cheaper than Yandex
Bus 92	150 KZT ($0.30)	60-90 min	Runs to city center via Al-Farabi Avenue; slow but cheap
Bus 79	150 KZT ($0.30)	70-90 min	Alternative route to Dostyk Plaza area
Airport taxi touts	8,000-15,000 KZT ($16-30)	25-35 min	Avoid. 4-8x Yandex price for the same ride

Tip: Download the Yandex Taxi app before arriving. It works with international phone numbers and credit cards. There is no metro connection to Almaty airport.

Hub 2: Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) - The Capital Connector

Astana's airport is Kazakhstan's second-largest, handling ~5 million passengers yearly. Located 15 km south of Astana city center, NQZ is Air Astana's second operational hub. The airport code changed from TSE to NQZ in 2022 after the 2019 renaming. Most visitors bound for Astana architecture, government sites, or northern Kazakhstan regions land here.

Practical facts:

Element	Detail
IATA code	NQZ (changed from TSE in 2022)
Annual pax	~5 million (2024)
Distance to city	15 km south, 20-30 min by taxi
Terminals	1 modern (opened for Expo 2017)
Runway	3,500 m, handles all commercial types

International Routes from Astana: Smaller Reach

20+ international destinations, focused on Russia and Turkey. Direct flights: Istanbul (daily), Moscow (multiple daily), Dubai, Beijing, Seoul (seasonal), plus Tashkent, Bishkek, Baku. Istanbul is the main European connection point. Not as extensive as Almaty, but adequate for most Central Asia itineraries.

Terminal: Smaller But Modern

Faster experience than Almaty due to lower traffic volume:

• ATMs & exchange. Kaspi Bank and Halyk Bank ATMs in arrivals (better rates than exchange desks)
• SIM card. Available in arrivals hall, same price as Almaty
• Lounge access. Air Astana business lounge; Priority Pass accepted
• Food & shopping. Cafes in departures, one cafe in arrivals. Less choice than Almaty
• Wi-Fi. Free, registration required

Getting from NQZ to City Center: Yandex Taxi

Transport	Cost	Time	Note
Yandex Taxi	2,500 - 3,500 KZT	20 - 30 m	Reliable, order from app
Bus 10	150 KZT	40 - 50 m	Cheap but less convenient
Taxi touts	5,000 - 10,000 KZT	20 - 30 m	Overpriced, avoid

LRT note: A light rail to the city has been "under development" since 2017 and remains unfinished as of June 2026. Use Yandex Taxi.

Regional Airports: Quick Reference Sections

Shymkent (CIT) - Southern Hub

Gateway to southern Kazakhstan and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi sites. Modern 2022 terminal, ~1.5M pax/year. Direct flights to Istanbul (Turkish, intl), Moscow, plus all domestic routes. Transport: Yandex Taxi 1,000-2,000 KZT to city (15-20 min).

Aktau (SCO) - Mangystau Desert Gateway

Coastal Caspian location, ~1.2M pax/year. Primary access for Mangystau desert region. Direct Istanbul, Moscow. Functional small terminal. Yandex Taxi 2,500-4,000 KZT to Aktau city (25-35 min); car rentals available for desert tours.

Atyrau (GUW) - Oil Industry Hub

Western Caspian coast, ~1M pax/year. Serves petroleum workforce but open to all. Direct Moscow, Istanbul, Amsterdam (oil worker routes). Modern terminal. Yandex Taxi 800-1,500 KZT to city (10-15 min, closest to airport of all Kazakh cities).

The Remaining 13 Regional Airports

All domestic operations only or minimal international. All feed into Almaty or Astana. Examples: Karaganda (central Kazakhstan), Oskemen (east), Kostanay (north), Oral (west), Turkestan (south - gateway to Khoja Ahmed Yasawi), etc. FlyArystan operates most domestic routes; Air Astana provides backup coverage. Each has basic amenities. Transport by Yandex Taxi always available (cheaper than Almaty/Astana due to short distance to cities).

Three Airlines: Who Flies What

Air Astana, FlyArystan (its budget subsidiary), and SCAT control all Kazakh air travel. Your choice matters for comfort, price, and convenience.

Air Astana (KC) - Full Service, Higher Price

National flag carrier since 2002. Best for international, comfortable for domestic. Fleet: Boeing 787, 767, Airbus A321, Embraer E190. Hubs: Almaty and Astana.

• 60+ destinations (international + domestic)
• Full meal service, personal screens, 23 kg checked bag included
• ~1.5x FlyArystan price on domestic routes
• Booking: airastana.com or any global platform

FlyArystan (F3) - Budget, Domestic Focused

Air Astana's low-cost subsidiary (launched 2019). Dominates domestic market with high frequency and lowest fares. Think of it as Ryanair for Kazakhstan.

• Almaty hub, growing from Astana and Shymkent
• Airbus A320 fleet
• 7 kg hand luggage free; checked bags 2,000 - 5,000 KZT extra
• Book early; prices spike near departure date

Domestic pricing (one-way, 2026):

Route	Typical Price	Flight Time
Almaty - Astana	8,000 - 15,000 KZT	1h 30m
Almaty - Shymkent	6,000 - 12,000 KZT	1h 10m
Almaty - Aktau	10,000 - 20,000 KZT	3h
Almaty - Turkestan	7,000 - 14,000 KZT	1h 30m

SCAT (DV) - Third Option

Domestic and regional carrier. Improved safety record. Boeing 737 + regional aircraft. Secondary choice after Air Astana and FlyArystan, but operational and reliable.

Domestic Flights: When to Use Them vs. Alternatives

Kazakhstan is the 9th-largest country by area (2.72M km²), confirmed by World Bank data. Domestic flights are essential for remote regions but optional for others. The Almaty - Astana route alone has 15-20 daily flights because overland is slow.

Fly These Routes

Route	Flight	Overland	Why Fly
Almaty - Aktau	3h	30+ hours	Desert region access; only realistic way
Almaty - Atyrau	2h 30m	25+ hours	Oil region; long overland
Astana - Aktau	2h 30m	25+ hours	Western Kazakhstan from capital
Almaty - Turkestan	1h 30m	10h train	Quickest to Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

Skip Flying on These Routes

Route	Flight	Overland	Better Option
Almaty - Astana	1h 30m	12h overnight	Talgo train is an experience ($6-12K)
Almaty - Shymkent	1h 10m	10-12h	Train comfortable if you have time
Day trips from ALA	N/A	1-3 hours	Charyn, Kolsai, Big Almaty Lake by car

Airport Survival Kit: Essential Tips

Arrivals sequence that works:

1. Clear immigration (have onward flight info ready)
2. Withdraw cash at ATM (Kaspi or Halyk bank, better rates than exchange desks)
3. Buy SIM card (Beeline or Kcell, ~1,500 KZT for 5 GB; passport required)
4. Order Yandex Taxi (works with international cards, shows price upfront)

Departure prep:

• International flights: arrive 3h early (Almaty queues can be slow)
• Domestic flights: arrive 2h early
• Air Astana: 23 kg checked included in economy
• FlyArystan: 7 kg hand luggage only; add checked bags when booking to avoid airport fee ($50+ markup)

Airport currency: Exchange desks charge 3-8% markup. Use ATM instead.

Almaty transits (airside): Most nationalities can connect without entering Kazakhstan. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 87 countries have visa-free entry if you do pass immigration.

Wi-Fi + data: Free Wi-Fi at both hubs, but unreliable for calls. Mobile SIM is better. See above.

Lounge access: Priority Pass works at Air Astana lounges in Almaty and Astana (food, drinks, seating).

Sources and Local Verification

• Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan for the January 30, 2026 aviation summary: 31.8M airport passengers, 15.4M airline passengers, 135 international routes to 30 countries, 626 weekly international flights, and 95.7% ICAO aviation-security compliance.
• Civil Aviation Committee / Aviation Administration for Kazakhstan aviation oversight and current airport/airline context.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-free table for ordinary-passport entry context referenced in the transit note.
• Local verification: checked by Tugelbay Konabayev on June 9, 2026 against official aviation-sector reporting and traveler routing patterns through Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, Aktau, and Atyrau.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many airports does Kazakhstan have?

Kazakhstan has 18 airports with scheduled passenger service. The five busiest are Almaty International Airport (ALA), Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Astana (NQZ), Shymkent (CIT), Aktau (SCO), and Atyrau (GUW). Only these five have significant international service, the remaining 13 airports primarily handle domestic flights connecting to Almaty and Astana.

What is the main airport in Kazakhstan?

Almaty International Airport (IATA: ALA) is Kazakhstan's main airport and busiest hub, handling approximately 6.5 million passengers annually. It has over 40 international destinations with direct flights to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Dubai, Beijing, Seoul, and Bangkok. Air Astana and FlyArystan both use Almaty as their primary hub.

What is the IATA code for Astana airport?

Astana's airport code is NQZ. The airport was renamed to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in 2019, and the IATA code changed from TSE to NQZ in 2022. Some older booking systems and travel guides still reference the old TSE code, but NQZ is the current official code.

How do I get from Almaty airport to the city center?

The best way is Yandex Taxi, download the app, order a ride, and go to the designated pickup zone in arrivals. The fare is typically 2,000-3,000 KZT ($4-6) and the ride takes 25-35 minutes. Bus 92 connects the airport to the city center for 150 KZT but takes 60-90 minutes. Avoid the taxi touts in arrivals who charge 8,000-15,000 KZT for the same trip.

Is FlyArystan safe to fly?

Yes. FlyArystan is a subsidiary of Air Astana and operates modern Airbus A320 aircraft. It follows the same safety standards as Air Astana. The airline launched in 2019 and has maintained a clean safety record. It is Kazakhstan's largest low-cost carrier with high-frequency domestic routes and growing international service.

Which airlines fly direct to Kazakhstan from Europe?

Airlines with direct flights from Europe to Kazakhstan include: Air Astana (London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam to Almaty), Lufthansa (Frankfurt to Almaty), KLM (Amsterdam to Almaty), and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul to Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, and Aktau). Istanbul is the most common connection point for European travelers, with Turkish Airlines offering the widest network of connecting flights through its Istanbul hub.

Last verified: June 9, 2026