Kazakhstan's three main international airports — Almaty (ALA), Astana (NQZ), and Shymkent (CIT) — all have reliable official taxi services. Here's everything you need to know to get from the airport to your hotel safely and without overpaying.
Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Almaty's airport is 13 km northeast of the city centre. Journey time: 20–40 min depending on traffic.
| Option | KZT | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yandex Go / inDrive | ₸2,500–4,500 | ~$5–9 | Best value, meter-based, no negotiation needed |
| Official airport taxi (yellow) | ₸5,000–8,000 | ~$10–17 | Fixed zone pricing, available at arrivals exit |
| Bolt | ₸2,000–4,000 | ~$4–8 | Available in Almaty, check app for availability |
| Bus 79 / 86 | ₸150–200 | ~$0.30–0.40 | Slowest option, runs to city centre |
Astana International Airport (NQZ)
Astana's airport is 17 km south of the city centre. Journey time: 20–35 min.
| Option | KZT | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yandex Go | ₸2,000–4,000 | ~$4–8 | Most reliable, available immediately |
| Official airport taxi | ₸5,000–7,000 | ~$10–15 | Available at arrivals, negotiate upfront |
| LRT (light rail) | ₸80–200 | ~$0.15–0.40 | Newly launched — check current route coverage |
| City bus 10 | ₸80–150 | ~$0.15–0.30 | Runs to city, slower but very cheap |
Shymkent International Airport (CIT)
| Option | KZT | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yandex Go | ₸1,500–3,000 | ~$3–6 | Cheapest and fastest to book |
| Airport taxi booth | ₸4,000–5,000 | ~$8–10 | Fixed rates, reliable |
Top Tip: Download Yandex Go before you land. It works at all three airports, shows the price upfront, and eliminates any negotiation. Works with international cards.
Car Rental
All major airports have international car rental counters (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and local operators). Prices start from ~$30/day for a compact car. An international driving permit is required alongside your national licence.
| Company | Airports | Starting Price/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz | ALA, NQZ | ~$35 |
| Avis | ALA, NQZ | ~$30 |
| Europcar | ALA | ~$28 |
| Local operators | All airports | ~$20–25 |
Pro Tips
- Ignore touts — Unsolicited offers inside the terminal are almost always overpriced. Walk out to the official taxi zone or use your app.
- Agree price before entering — If not using an app, always settle the fare before you get in.
- Have small bills — Drivers often claim they have no change. Have ₸500–1,000 notes ready.
- Share your route — Use the app's "share trip" feature so someone knows your journey.
- Hotels can arrange transfers — Many mid-range and above hotels offer airport pick-up for ~$15–25. Worth it for late-night arrivals.