Arab tourists discover Kazakhstan in record numbers

Kazakhstan is seeing a surge in visitors from Gulf countries, with tourists from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain traveling more frequently than ever. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, citing data from the National Security Committee’s (KNB) Border Service, the number of Arab tourists rose by 62% in 2024.

In 2023, Oman led the way with 15,000 tourists visiting Kazakhstan. The UAE followed with 14,700 visitors, while more than 9,000 came from Saudi Arabia. Arrivals from Qatar and Bahrain also saw notable increases.

Why is Kazakhstan so popular?

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports attributes the growing interest to several factors: the availability of direct flights, a visa-free entry regime and robust international promotion of Kazakhstan as a tourist destination.

In 2023, TravelScapes named Kazakhstan one of the most promising destinations for Arab travelers. The country also appeared on lists of popular travel spots for Eid al-Fitr (known locally as Oraza Ait), the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Available flights

Direct flights between Kazakhstan and Oman began in 2023. Salam Air operates routes between Almaty and Muscat. Freedom Travel offers tickets starting at approximately $160, with flight times averaging around six hours.

There are direct flights from Doha, Qatar, to Almaty, operated by Qatar Airways. One-way fares start at around $550.

Between the UAE and Kazakhstan, several daily flights are available at competitive prices. For example, travelers can fly from Turkestan to Abu Dhabi for as little as $80. The flight takes about four hours.

Direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Kazakhstan are also available. Routes operate from Medina and Jeddah to both Almaty and Shymkent, with one-way fares starting at just over $195.

While there are no direct flights from Bahrain to Kazakhstan, Freedom Travel offers one-way tickets with a layover in either Abu Dhabi or Doha. The Abu Dhabi route is the more affordable option at around $285, while the faster Doha connection costs approximately $1,490.