Almaty International Airport

Almaty International Airport (ALA) serves Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city and former capital, nestled at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains. The airport is located 15 km northeast of the city center.

The airport has a single terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. A new terminal opened in 2022, significantly improving facilities and capacity.

Key airlines: Air Astana (flag carrier and hub), FlyArystan (Air Astana's low-cost carrier), Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, Emirates, Lufthansa, Korean Air, and various regional carriers.

Almaty Airport is relatively close to the city:

• To city center (Republic Square): 15 km, 25-40 minutes
• To Almaty train station: 13 km, 20-35 minutes
• To Medeu/Shymbulak ski area: 35 km, 45-60 minutes

Traffic can be heavy during rush hours.

Yandex Go (similar to Uber) and inDrive are the main rideshare apps in Kazakhstan.

Taxis are available outside arrivals:

• To city center: KZT 3,000-5,000 (approximately $6-10 USD)
• To Republic Square: KZT 4,000-6,000
• To Medeu: KZT 8,000-12,000

Important: Use app-based services or official airport taxis. Agree on price before getting in unmarked taxis, or they may overcharge tourists.

Bus 79

Route: Airport → City Center (along main avenues)

• Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes
• Journey time: 40-60 minutes
• Cost: KZT 150 (~$0.30 USD)
• Hours: 06:00-23:00

1. Exit arrivals and find the bus stop to the left
2. Bus 79 runs to central Almaty
3. Pay driver in cash (small bills)

Bus 92

Connects airport to the Sairan Bus Station (for intercity buses).

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Short Term	KZT 2,000/day	Terminal adjacent
Long Term	KZT 1,200/day	Short walk

Parking is inexpensive by international standards.

The new terminal offers improved dining:

Landside:

• Coffee shops
• Fast food

Airside:

• Café Astana: Full meals, Kazakh and international cuisine
• Coffee Boom: Good coffee
• Fast food options: KFC, various others
• Bar: Alcoholic beverages available

Food quality improved significantly with the 2022 terminal. Try beshbarmak (national dish) or lagman (noodle soup) if available.

Network: Almaty Airport Free WiFi

• Cost: Free, time-limited
• Speed: Reasonable for browsing

Premium paid options available for longer sessions.

SIM cards available from:

• Kcell and Beeline kiosks in arrivals
• Activ (Kcell subsidiary)

Prices: KZT 2,000-5,000 (~$4-10) for a SIM with data. Passport required for registration.

Note: Kazakhstan uses its own mobile bands—ensure your phone is unlocked and compatible.

ATMs available throughout the terminal:

• Kaspi Bank (most popular local bank)
• Halyk Bank
• ForteBank

Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). Approximate rate: 450-480 KZT = 1 USD.

Currency exchange: Multiple exchange offices in arrivals. Rates are reasonable—compare a few before exchanging.

Card acceptance: Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in Almaty; smaller vendors prefer cash.

Airside:

• Duty-free (alcohol, tobacco, perfumes)
• Kazakh souvenirs (felt crafts, jewelry)
• Confectionery (Kazakh chocolates)

Selection is modest. Better shopping available in Almaty's malls.

Business Lounge (Domestic)

• Location: Domestic departures
• Access: Business class passengers

Primeclass Lounge (International)

• Location: International departures
• Access: Priority Pass, business class, or ~$35 walk-in
• Amenities: Hot food, drinks, WiFi, showers

Air Astana Lounge

• Access: Air Astana Business Class, Nomad Club Platinum
• Amenities: Full meal service, premium drinks

Hotels near the airport are limited—most travelers stay in central Almaty (25-40 minutes away).

Almaty is a vibrant, modern city set against a dramatic mountain backdrop:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Zenkov Cathedral: 30 min—colorful wooden cathedral in Panfilov Park, built without nails
• Green Bazaar: 35 min—massive market for local produce, spices, dried fruits, and souvenirs
• Medeu & Shymbulak: 50 min—famous ice skating rink and ski resort in the mountains
• Big Almaty Lake: 60 min—stunning alpine lake at 2,500m altitude
• Kok Tobe: 35 min—hilltop park with city views, cable car access
• Central State Museum: 35 min—excellent collection on Kazakh history and culture

Day trips:

• Charyn Canyon: 3-4 hours—Kazakhstan's "Grand Canyon"
• Kolsai Lakes: 4-5 hours—mountain lakes surrounded by forest
• Turgen Waterfalls: 2 hours—scenic gorge with waterfalls

Food & drink:

• Beshbarmak: National dish—boiled meat with flat noodles
• Lagman: Central Asian noodle soup
• Plov: Rice pilaf with meat and carrots
• Kumys: Fermented mare's milk (acquired taste)
• Kazakh tea culture: Always served with snacks (sweets, dried fruits)

Local tips:

• Visa-free access for many nationalities (30-day stay for US, EU, UK citizens)
• Russian is widely spoken alongside Kazakh
• The city is safe but watch for pickpockets in markets
• Altitude: Almaty sits at 800m; mountain attractions go much higher—acclimatize before strenuous activities
• Winter: Cold (-10°C to -20°C) but excellent for skiing
• Summer: Warm (25-35°C), perfect for mountain hikes
• The metro is modern and useful for getting around central Almaty