🇰🇿 NQZ
Astana
591 mi
ALA 🇰🇿
Almaty

Astana to Almaty Flights

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport Almaty International Airport 5 airlines

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The Astana to Almaty route connects Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in KZ with Almaty International Airport (ALA) in KZ. This short-haul flight covers approximately 591 miles (951 km) with a typical flight time of 1h 32m. This route is served by 5 airlines: FlyArystan, Air Astana, SCAT Airlines and others. AirportRoutes has tracked 45 unique flight numbers on this route.

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About This Route

Route Overview

The Astana (NQZ) → Almaty (ALA) air route links Kazakhstan’s capital region with its largest city over 591 miles (951 km). Flights typically take about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes, making it the fastest way to cross the country compared with long overnight rail or all-day driving. Travelers choose this corridor for government and business travel, university and family visits, and easy access to Almaty’s mountains, dining, and culture. With multiple daily departures, the route is convenient for short breaks and same-day meetings. Typical one-way fares often range from KZT 20,000–60,000 (about USD 40–120) depending on season, baggage, and how early you book.

Travel Tips

Book early for the best deals on this high-demand domestic corridor; the lowest fares often appear 2–6 weeks ahead, while last-minute tickets can jump to KZT 50,000+ (USD 100+). Compare fare types carefully—some include only a small cabin bag, and checked baggage can add cost. At NQZ, arrive 90 minutes before departure; security is usually efficient, but morning peaks can slow lines. Choose a seat based on preference: window views can reveal steppe landscapes and, on clear days near arrival, mountain silhouettes. At ALA, plan extra time for ground transport—traffic into the center can be heavy. Keep local currency for taxis and snacks, and download offline maps for easier navigation.

Destination Highlights

Almaty is Kazakhstan’s cultural and financial hub, set against the Trans-Ili Alatau foothills. Start with Kok-Tobe Hill for city panoramas, then explore Panfilov Park and the colorful Zenkov Cathedral. The Green Bazaar is ideal for dried fruits, nuts, and local treats, while museums and cafés cluster around central avenues. For nature, day trips to Medeu (high-altitude skating rink) and Shymbulak ski resort are signature experiences; nearby hikes offer alpine scenery in summer. Don’t miss Kazakh cuisine: beshbarmak, manty, lagman, and fermented dairy drinks like kymyz. Popular areas to stay include the city center for walkability and the upper districts for cooler air and mountain views.

Best Time to Fly

The most comfortable months to fly and visit Almaty are May–June and September–October, when temperatures are mild and mountain excursions are at their best. July–August brings warmer weather and higher demand, often pushing fares upward on popular dates. December–February suits ski trips to Shymbulak, with seasonal peaks around holidays that can raise prices. Shoulder seasons typically offer better value, with one-way tickets more often found near KZT 20,000–35,000 (USD 40–70) if booked ahead. Notable travel spikes can occur during major public holidays and winter sports weekends.

AI-Generated Content: This information was compiled using AI from web sources on Dec 25, 2025. Content may not be current; please verify with airlines before booking.

Departure Airport

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport

ICAO Code:
UACC
IATA Code:
NQZ
City:
🇰🇿 Astana
Country:
KZ
Elevation:
1165 ft

Destination Airport

Almaty International Airport

ICAO Code:
UAAA
IATA Code:
ALA
City:
🇰🇿 Almaty
Country:
KZ
Elevation:
2234 ft

5

Operators

45

Tracked Flights

591

Miles

1h 32m

Flight Duration

Route Map

Great Circle
Flight route map from Astana to Almaty
Map data © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap contributors

Operating Airlines

Airline ICAO IATA
FlyArystan AYN FS
Air Astana KZR KC
SCAT Airlines VSV DV
Qazaq Air QAZ IQ
Lufthansa DLH LH

Flight Schedule Pattern

Day Flights Observed Frequency Activity
Monday 115 18%
Tuesday 68 11%
Wednesday 98 16%
Thursday 99 16%
Friday 103 16%
Saturday 92 15%
Sunday 57 9%

Pattern Analysis

45 Tracked Flights:
Data Points: 632
API observations used to build this analysis
Weekdays: 483 flights
Weekend: 149 flights
Business Route More active on weekdays

All Flight Routes

5 Routes
Note: This table shows aggregated route data by airline. Each airline may operate multiple daily flights at different times. See the "Spotted Departure Times" section below for all observed departure times.
Airline Flight Numbers Aircraft Type Typical Time Days Active Last Seen Status
Air Astana
KZR / KC
A320 22:40 10:40 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jun 27, 2026 Active
FlyArystan
AYN / FS
A320 23:00 11:00 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jun 27, 2026 Active
Lufthansa
DLH / LH
- A333 -
M T W T F S S
Jun 29, 2026 Active
Qazaq Air
QAZ / IQ
DH8D 06:40 6:40 AM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jun 27, 2026 Active
737 11:00 11:00 AM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jun 27, 2026 Active
Total Routes: 5
Active Routes: 5
Unique Airlines: 5
Aircraft Types: 5

Spotted Departure Times

Departure Time Operator ICAO IATA
06:40 6:40 AM Qazaq Air QAZ IQ
11:00 11:00 AM SCAT Airlines VSV DV
22:40 10:40 PM Air Astana KZR KC
23:00 11:00 PM FlyArystan AYN FS

Time Information

Times are shown in the departure airport's local timezone (UACC - Asia/Almaty).

Total Departure Times: 4
Time Range:
06:40 - 23:00
These are typical departure times observed from actual flights. Times may vary by season and schedule changes.