Shymkent International Airport serves Kazakhstan's third-largest city by population, in the south of the country near the Uzbekistan border, approximately 13 km from the center.
It is Kazakhstan's third-busiest airport, a hub for local carrier SCAT Airlines, and the gateway to the country's southern region along the ancient Silk Road.
How to get to Shymkent International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to CIT
Parking near Shymkent International Airport
The official parking area is located in front of the terminal.
Rates reflect the typical standards of the region.
How to get to Shymkent from CIT
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Shymkent International Airport
The desks for major car rental companies are in the arrivals area.
A driving license, passport, and credit card are the basic documents; the International Driving Permit is almost always required.
Hotels near Shymkent International Airport
City centre
10-13 km from the airport, 15-28 minutes by taxi depending on the exact area and traffic; no train, only taxis, rental cars or bus line 12.
Best for: Those who want Abay Park, Dendropark and the Shymkent Plaza shopping centre within easy taxi reach, along with the city's best international chains.
- The city's three international chains (Hilton, Rixos, Wyndham) are all here, just minutes from one another
- Abay Park, Dendropark and Shymkent Plaza all reachable by car within minutes
- None of these properties is less than 10 minutes from the terminal: there's no convenient option for short layovers
- Traffic on the main roads slows considerably during rush hour
Recommended hotels
- DoubleTree by Hilton Shymkent Opposite the circus and the international tennis centre, with views over Abay Park; 120 rooms, indoor pool and gym, about 15 minutes from the airport. View availability
- Rixos Khadisha Shymkent 177 rooms on Zheltoksan Street, a 15-minute walk from Abay Park and Mega Planet; spa with Turkish bath, sauna and three restaurants, including one serving Kazakh cuisine. View availability
- Ramada by Wyndham Shymkent In the central business district near Shymkent Plaza and Dendropark, about 28 minutes from the airport; spacious rooms and breakfast singled out as a strong point by reviewers. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is appropriately sized for Kazakhstan's third airport, with two passenger terminals.
Before boarding, allow 2 hours of buffer time for flights.
Map of Shymkent International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Shymkent Kazakhstan's third airport?
Yes, by passenger numbers it is the country's third airport after Almaty and Astana, and it is the main hub of the local airline SCAT Airlines.
Q. Do you have to register your stay when arriving in Shymkent?
Yes, as throughout Kazakhstan, anyone staying more than a few days must register their presence with local authorities within 3 working days of arrival; this formality mainly concerns those stopping in the city before heading to the nearby Uzbek border, less so those merely in transit for a domestic flight to Almaty or Astana.
Q. Is it worth using Yandex Go in Shymkent?
Yes, as in the rest of Kazakhstan, it offers transparent fares shown before the ride, often preferable to street taxis.
Q. Is Shymkent connected to Tashkent (Uzbekistan)?
The city lies near the Uzbek border along the ancient Silk Road, but check what direct connections are available at the time of your trip.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
