Air tickets Ankara — Shymkent

Looking for tickets from Ankara to Shymkent? On the Freedom Travel website and app you can pick from the available options, compare them by price and travel time, book a seat and pay for the ticket online by card.

This page covers the essentials of the route: the distance and approximate flying time, the cities the connections run through, the airlines on each leg, what makes up the fare, the arrival airport and what to see in the city.

General information about flights between Ankara and Shymkent

The straight-line distance between Ankara and Shymkent is about 3,040 km, roughly four hours of actual flying. There is no non-stop service between the two cities, so the route is flown with a connection and takes eight hours or more. Shymkent is two hours ahead of Ankara: Turkey is on UTC+3, Kazakhstan on UTC+5. Many foreign nationals can enter Kazakhstan without a visa; the rules depend on your citizenship, so check them before the trip. The route is popular with business travellers, students and people visiting relatives in southern Kazakhstan.

Why buy tickets from Ankara to Shymkent on Freedom Travel

• We work with every airline that carries passengers on this route
• Convenient search with flexible filters for times, connections and baggage
• A low-fare calendar helps you pick the cheapest dates
• Extra services: seat selection, baggage, insurance, SMS notifications
• Secure and reliable online payments
• 24/7 support at every stage of the trip
• Up to 10% cashback when you pay through Freedom SuperApp

Flight schedule Ankara — Shymkent

There are no non-stop Ankara — Shymkent flights in the timetable. The route is most often built through Istanbul: a short hop from Ankara and then a service to Shymkent. Keep in mind that Istanbul has two airports, Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) and the main Istanbul Airport (IST); flights to Shymkent operate from both, but they are separate airports and it is important not to mix them up when connecting.

The number of departures depends on the day of the week and the season, and fares are dynamic, moving with how full a particular flight is. The Freedom Travel search shows the current schedule and seat availability for your chosen date.

How much does a flight from Ankara to Shymkent cost

The price depends on the departure date, the season, the airlines on both legs, the length of the layover and how early you book. The route has no fixed price, so check the exact amount in the Freedom Travel search: all fees are included and you can pay online by bank card.

Which airlines fly the Ankara — Shymkent route

• Pegasus — connecting flights (via Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen), operates both legs of the route
• AJet — operates Ankara — Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen, and also non-stop Ankara — Almaty for a connection inside Kazakhstan
• SCAT — operates Istanbul (IST) — Shymkent and the domestic Almaty — Shymkent leg
• Air Astana — operates the Almaty — Shymkent leg
• FlyArystan — operates the Almaty — Shymkent leg

The mix of carriers and connections on this route changes, so the full list of options for your date is easiest to see in the Freedom Travel search.

How to get from Ankara to Shymkent: your flight options

There is no non-stop flight from Ankara to Shymkent. It is Istanbul, not Ankara, that has a direct link with Shymkent, so the journey always involves a connection.

The first option is via Istanbul: an Ankara — Istanbul flight and then a service to Shymkent. The second is via Almaty: a non-stop Ankara — Almaty flight followed by a short domestic hop to Shymkent.

When comparing options, look at the total travel time, the length of the layover and whether you arrive at and depart from the same airport in the connecting city — transferring between the Istanbul airports takes extra time. The connection is international, so check in advance whether you need a transit visa.

Find return flights from Shymkent to Ankara

Shymkent airport

Flights arrive at Shymkent International Airport. It lies about 10 km from the city centre, with buses and taxis running into town.

What to see in Shymkent

Shymkent is one of the largest cities in Kazakhstan and an important centre of the south of the country, combining an ancient history with modern development.

• Dendropark — a large park with a collection of plants
• Ken Baba ethno-park — a park featuring elements of traditional Kazakh culture
• Ordabasy Square — the central square of the city
• Central Park — a popular place to relax
• Regional Museum of History and Local Lore — displays on the archaeology, history and ethnography of the region
• Citadel of ancient Shymkent — the remains of an ancient settlement in the historic part of the city

Open the Freedom Travel search, find a connection that fits your dates and book your Ankara — Shymkent ticket online.