Air tickets Shymkent — Urumqi

Looking for cheap flights from Shymkent to Urumqi? On the Freedom Travel website and app you can find the non-stop service, compare the available options by price and departure time, book a seat and pay online by card.

This page covers the essentials: distance and flight time, how the schedule works, the airlines, the time difference, visa conditions, Urumqi airport details and a shortlist of places worth seeing.

General information about flights between Shymkent and Urumqi

The distance between Shymkent and Urumqi is about 1,470 km. The cities are linked by non-stop flights of roughly 2 hours 20 minutes. Urumqi officially uses Beijing time, UTC+8, while Shymkent is on UTC+5, so there is a 3-hour difference — clocks in China are ahead. Kazakh citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days under the visa-free agreement; check the current rules before travelling. The route is popular with entrepreneurs sourcing goods and with travellers interested in Xinjiang and the Tian Shan mountains.

Why buy Shymkent — Urumqi tickets with Freedom Travel

• We work with all airlines operating on this route
• Convenient search with filters by time, stops and baggage
• A low-fare calendar helps you pick the cheapest date
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Shymkent — Urumqi flight schedule

Non-stop Shymkent — Urumqi flights are operated by SCAT Airlines: as of August 2026 there are around three departures a week with a flight time of about 2 hours 20 minutes. Note that the service is seasonal and does not run all year, so check availability for your dates in advance.

Frequency and departure times vary by season and day of the week, so it is easiest to check the current schedule in Freedom Travel search. Fares are dynamic: the closer the departure, the higher the price.

How much does a Shymkent — Urumqi flight cost

The price depends on the date, the airline, the season, whether the itinerary has stops and how early you book. Fares rise during peak business travel and school holidays. Freedom Travel search shows the exact price for your dates with all fees included, payable online by bank card.

Which airlines fly the Shymkent — Urumqi route

• SCAT Airlines — non-stop flights (seasonal)
• Air Astana — operates the Almaty — Urumqi leg
• FlyArystan — connecting flights, operating the first leg to Almaty or Astana

The mix of carriers changes seasonally — Freedom Travel search shows the full list of options for your date.

How to get from Shymkent to Urumqi: your options

The fastest way is the SCAT Airlines non-stop: about 2 hours 20 minutes in the air. Because the programme is seasonal, however, non-stop departures are not available at every time of year.

When there is no non-stop, the trip is routed via Almaty or Astana: both are linked to Shymkent by frequent flights and have regular services to Urumqi.

A non-stop saves several hours, while a connection gives you more freedom in choosing dates. When comparing, consider the layover length and baggage rules, and check in advance whether a transit visa is required in the connecting country.

Find return flights from Urumqi to Shymkent

Urumqi airport

Flights arrive at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC), about 16 km north-west of the city centre. A metro line, airport buses and taxis run downtown.

What to see in Urumqi

The capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in north-west China and one of the most landlocked large cities in the world, a crossroads of Central Asian cultures.

• International Grand Bazaar — a large market in Uygur style with goods, food and distinctive architecture
• Hongshan Park (Red Hill) — a hill with a pagoda and views over the city
• Xinjiang Regional Museum — famous for the ancient Tarim mummies and Silk Road artefacts
• People Park — an old city park with a lake
• Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) — a scenic mountain lake in the Tian Shan foothills near the city

Thinking about a trip to Xinjiang? Check the Shymkent — Urumqi non-stop dates in Freedom Travel search and book your ticket online.