Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and was once its capital. It’s rich in culture, natural beauty and modern conveniences. With tree-lined streets, lively cafés and mountain views close by, Almaty is a great place to visit. If you’re coming for the first time, here’s what you need to know about getting there, getting around and settling in.
Getting to Almaty from Europe
Almaty International Airport (ALA) is the primary gateway to the city, offering direct and connecting flights from numerous European countries.
- From Spain and France: There are no direct flights to Almaty, but convenient connections are available through Istanbul (Turkish Airlines, Pegasus), Doha (Qatar Airways) and Dubai (Emirates, Flydubai).
- From Germany: Lufthansa operates seasonal direct flights from Frankfurt to Almaty, while Air Astana also links Almaty with Frankfurt. Otherwise, connections via Istanbul, Warsaw, or Vienna are standard.
- From the U.K.: Currently, there are no direct flights from London, but one-stop options via Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai are frequent and efficient.
From Western Europe, most travelers have one layover en route to Almaty. The journey typically takes eight to 10 hours with stopovers. Most EU citizens don’t require a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
Currency, payments and internet
Kazakhstan’s currency is the tenge (KZT). Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and many shops. Cash remains a common form of payment and Kaspi is a popular local payment app.
If you need cash, it’s a good idea to use an ATM at the airport. For internet access during your stay, consider purchasing a SIM card from the airport arrivals hall or local mobile shops in the city; basic packages are available for tourists and require your passport. For better exchange rates, look for one of the many exchange offices in the city. The U.S. dollar is the most widely accepted currency, but euros and Russian rubles are also accepted.
How to get from Almaty Airport to downtown
Almaty International Airport is situated approximately 15 kilometers east of the city center, making it easily accessible to central hotels.
- Taxis and apps like Yandex Go or inDrive are popular, covering the 15-kilometer trip in 25 to 40 minutes (depending on traffic) and costing about 2,000 to 3,000 tenge (€3 to €5).
- Several city buses (33, 36, 41, 79, 86, 92, 106) connect the airport to downtown in approximately one hour for 120 KZT (approximately €0.19).
Please note: To pay for a bus ride in Almaty, foreigners can use mobile apps such as Onay, Janymda Beeline or SMSBus. After downloading the app, you simply scan the QR code inside a bus or send a bus route code via SMS to a short number.
– App payments: Require either an internet connection or a Kazakhstani SIM card linked to your bank card.
– SMS payments: Work only with a Kazakhstani SIM card.
Additionally, the «Airport» bus stop is located outside of the airport’s territory, so those who want to take a bus ride must walk about 100 meters toward the city.
However, many upscale and mid-range hotels offer private transfers. You can arrange these in advance for a smooth and easy arrival.
Moving around in Almaty
Getting around Almaty is easy and affordable with public transport and navigation apps like Google Maps, Yandex Maps and 2GIS. Options include buses, trolleybuses, the metro, taxis, bikes and scooters.
