Air tickets Urumqi — Shymkent

Planning a flight from Urumqi to Shymkent? On the Freedom Travel website and app you can find the available flights, compare them by price and travel time, reserve a seat and pay for your ticket online.

This page gathers the essentials about the route: the distance and flight time, how often non-stop flights operate, which airlines serve the direction, what makes up the fare, plus information about Shymkent airport and the city sights.

General information about flights between Urumqi and Shymkent

The distance between Urumqi and Shymkent is about 1,470 km and a non-stop flight takes roughly 2 hours 40 minutes. The time difference is 3 hours: Shymkent is 3 hours behind the Beijing time that Urumqi runs on. Many foreign nationals may enter Kazakhstan visa-free; the conditions depend on your citizenship, so check them before you travel. The route links Xinjiang with southern Kazakhstan and is popular for business, trade and family visits.

Why buy flights from Urumqi to Shymkent with Freedom Travel

• We work with every airline available on the route
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Urumqi — Shymkent flight schedule

Non-stop flights are operated by SCAT Airlines — around 3 departures a week, with a flight time of roughly 2 hours 40 minutes. Note that this is a seasonal service: in some parts of the year there are no non-stop departures, and the trip is then built with a connection in Almaty or Astana.

Frequency changes by season and day of the week, so it is easiest to check the schedule for a specific date in Freedom Travel search. Fares are dynamic and depend on demand and how full the flight is.

How much does a flight from Urumqi to Shymkent cost

The price depends on the departure date, the airline, the season and how far in advance you book. We do not publish a fixed figure: Freedom Travel search shows the current amount for your dates, with all fees included and online card payment.

Which airlines fly the Urumqi — Shymkent route

• SCAT Airlines — non-stop flights (seasonal, around 3 times a week)
• Air Astana — operates the Urumqi — Almaty leg
• China Southern — operates one of the legs (via Almaty or Astana)
• FlyArystan — operates the Urumqi — Astana leg

The mix of carriers and connections can change, so check the full list of options for your chosen date in Freedom Travel search.

How to get from Urumqi to Shymkent: your flight options

The non-stop flight is the fastest option: about 2 hours 40 minutes in the air, operated by SCAT Airlines several times a week in season.

If there is no non-stop departure on your date, the trip is put together with a connection: via Almaty (the leg from Urumqi is about 1 hour 50 minutes) or via Astana (about 2 hours 40 minutes), followed by a domestic flight to Shymkent.

The non-stop saves several hours but is not available all year or every day; connecting itineraries give you more dates to choose from and are sometimes cheaper. If you plan to connect outside Kazakhstan, check whether you need a transit visa.

Find return flights from Shymkent to Urumqi

Shymkent airport

Flights arrive at Shymkent International Airport (CIT), about 10 km from the city centre. Buses and taxis run to the centre.

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 ancient history with modern development.

• Arboretum — a large park with a collection of plants
• Ken Baba ethno-park — a park with 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 — 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 the city

Check the dates of non-stop Urumqi — Shymkent flights in Freedom Travel search and book at a good price.