There are 6 ways to get from Shymkent to Almaty by plane, bus, train, car, or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Shymkent International Airport (CIT) to Almaty International Airport (ALA)CIT - ALA
1h 54m$42–83Train
cheapest- Take the train from Shymkent to Almaty 2026T / ...
11h 19m$10–160Bus
- Take the bus from Shymkent Samal Bus Station to Almaty Sayran Bus Station3
11h 7m$15Drive 670.2 km
- Drive from Shymkent to Almaty670.2 km
8h 28m$26–38Taxi
- Take the taxi from Shymkent to Almaty670.2 km
8h 28m$110–140Train via Almaty 1
- Take the train from Shymkent to Almaty 1022T / ...
13h 49m$16–25
Shymkent to Almaty by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Shymkent to Almaty is to bus which costs $15 - $16 and takes 11h 7m.
The fastest way to get from Shymkent to Almaty is to fly which takes 1h 54m and costs $40 - $85.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Shymkent and arriving at Almaty 2. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 11h 19m.
The distance between Shymkent and Almaty is 650 km. The road distance is 670.2 km.
The best way to get from Shymkent to Almaty without a car is to bus which takes 11h 7m and costs $15 - $16.
It takes approximately 1h 54m to get from Shymkent to Almaty, including transfers.
Shymkent to Almaty train services, operated by Kazakhstan Railways (High Speed Trains), depart from Shymkent station.
The best way to get from Shymkent to Almaty is to fly which takes 1h 54m and costs $40 - $85. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $15 - $16 and takes 11h 7m, you could also train, which costs $10 - $160 and takes 11h 19m.
Shymkent to Almaty train services, operated by Kazakhstan Railways (High Speed Trains), arrive at Almaty 2 station.
Yes, the driving distance between Shymkent to Almaty is 670 km. It takes approximately 8h 28m to drive from Shymkent to Almaty.
What companies run services between Shymkent, Kazakhstan and Almaty, Kazakhstan?
Flyr, SCAT, and two other airlines fly from Shymkent International Airport (CIT) to Almaty International Airport (ALA) every 4 hours. Alternatively, Shymkent Samal Bus Terminal operates a bus from Shymkent Samal Bus Station to Almaty Sayran Bus Station once daily. Tickets cost $14 and the journey takes 11h.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- worldticket.com
Flights from Shymkent International Airport to Almaty International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $40–280
- Website
- scat.kz
Flights from Shymkent International Airport to Almaty International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–80
- Website
- flyr.com
Flights from Shymkent International Airport to Almaty International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $40–85
- Website
- airastana.com
Flights from Shymkent International Airport to Almaty International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–750
- Phone
- 1433
- KensePP@railways.kz
- Website
- railways.kz
Train from Shymkent to Almaty 2
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 19m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $10–14
- Book at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/?_locale=us
- 1st Class (Lux)
- $30–45
- 2nd Class (Coupe)
- $22–35
- 3rd Class (Seat)
- $10–14
- Phone
- 1433
- KensePP@railways.kz
- Website
- railways.kz
Train from Shymkent to Almaty 2
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $11–20
- Website
- https://railways.kz/en/
- Schedules at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/post/schedule?_locale=us
- Book at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/?_locale=us
- 2nd Class (Coupe)
- $15–20
- 3rd Class (Berth)
- $11–16
Train from Shymkent to Almaty 1
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 40m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $11–20
- Website
- https://railways.kz/en/
- Schedules at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/post/schedule?_locale=us
- Book at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/?_locale=us
- 2nd Class (Coupe)
- $15–20
- 3rd Class (Berth)
- $11–16
- Phone
- +7 (717) 260-66-60
- KensePP@railways.kz
- Website
- railways.kz
Train from Shymkent to Almaty 2
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 13m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $80–160
- Website
- https://railways.kz/en/
- Schedules at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/post/schedule?_locale=us
- Book at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/?_locale=us
- 3rd Class (Berth)
- $80–120
- 2nd Class (Coupe)
- $110–160
Train from Shymkent to Almaty 1
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $80–160
- Website
- https://railways.kz/en/
- Schedules at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/post/schedule?_locale=us
- Book at
- https://bilet.railways.kz/?_locale=us
- 3rd Class (Berth)
- $80–120
- 2nd Class (Coupe)
- $110–160
- Phone
- 1005
- compliance@railway.uz
- Website
- railway.uz
Train from Shymkent to Almaty 1
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 38m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $16–25
- Website
- https://railway.uz/en/
- Book at
- https://eticket.railway.uz/en/home
- Sleeper
- $16–18
- Coupe
- $22–25
- SV
- $40–44
- Phone
- +77252451241
- samal@avokzal.kz
- Website
- samal.avokzal.kz
Bus from Shymkent Samal Bus Station to Almaty Sayran Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $14
- Schedules at
- samal.avokzal.kz
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How do I get from Sydney to Melbourne, 5 incredible day trips from Florence by train, and Getting around the Cyclades - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
There are 3111+ hotels available in Almaty.