Air tickets Istanbul — Shymkent

Need an affordable ticket from Istanbul to Shymkent? On the Freedom Travel website and app you can find suitable flights, compare airline terms, complete the booking and pay for it online by bank card.

Below you will find the key facts about the route: the distance and flight time, the time difference, which airlines operate the service, what makes up the ticket price, plus details about the arrival airport and what to see in Shymkent.

General information about flights between Istanbul and Shymkent

The distance between the cities is about 3,346 km. A nonstop flight takes roughly 4 hours 40 minutes. The time difference is 2 hours, with Shymkent ahead of Istanbul. Many foreign nationals may enter Kazakhstan visa-free; the conditions depend on your citizenship, so check them before you travel. The route is consistently busy, serving business travellers, tourists and people visiting family in southern Kazakhstan.

Why buy tickets from Istanbul to Shymkent with Freedom Travel

• We work with every airline serving this direction
• Convenient search with filters for departure time, layovers and baggage
• A low-fare calendar helps you pick the cheapest dates
• Extra services: seat selection, baggage, insurance and SMS notifications
• Secure card payments and protection of your payment details
• Customer support available around the clock, 24/7
• Up to 10% cashback when you pay through the Freedom SuperApp

Istanbul — Shymkent flight schedule

Nonstop flights from Istanbul Airport are operated by SCAT, with about six departures a week and a flight time of roughly 4 hours 40 minutes. Pegasus also flies the route from Sabiha Gokcen airport, usually several times a week.

Frequency changes with the season and the day of the week, so check the current schedule for your date in the Freedom Travel search. Fares are dynamic and depend on demand and how far in advance you book.

How much does a flight from Istanbul to Shymkent cost

The fare depends on the departure date, the airline, the season and how early you book. We do not publish a fixed price because it is updated daily. The Freedom Travel search shows the current total including all fees, and payment is made online by bank card.

Which airlines operate the Istanbul — Shymkent route

• SCAT — nonstop flights from Istanbul Airport
• Pegasus — nonstop flights from Sabiha Gokcen airport
• Air Astana — operates one of the legs (via Astana or Almaty)
• Turkish Airlines — operates one of the legs (via Astana or Almaty)
• FlyArystan — operates the connecting leg to Shymkent

The list of carriers and the timetable change from time to time, so the full range of options for your date is easiest to review in the Freedom Travel search.

How to get from Istanbul to Shymkent: your options

The most convenient way is a nonstop flight: SCAT departs from Istanbul Airport and Pegasus from Sabiha Gokcen. You spend about 4 hours 40 minutes in the air and reach Shymkent without changing planes.

If the nonstop does not suit your date or budget, connecting itineraries are available: Air Astana and Turkish Airlines fly to Astana and Almaty, from where SCAT, Air Astana and FlyArystan continue to Shymkent.

A nonstop saves a noticeable amount of time, while connecting options give you more freedom with dates and are sometimes cheaper. If your layover is in a third country, check in advance whether you need a transit visa.

Find return flights from Shymkent to Istanbul

Shymkent airport

Flights are handled by Shymkent International Airport (CIT). It lies about 10 km from the city centre, and buses and taxis run into town.

What to see in Shymkent

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

• Arboretum — 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 Local History — exhibits on the archaeology, history and ethnography of the region
• Citadel of ancient Shymkent — the remains of an ancient settlement in the historic part of town

Pick the flight that suits you and reserve your Istanbul — Shymkent ticket with Freedom Travel — the whole process is completed online.