Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport serves Astana, Kazakhstan's futuristic capital with distinctive architecture, approximately 17 km from the city center.
It is the access point to the city symbolizing Kazakh modernization, with iconic structures such as the Baiterek Tower and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
How to get to Astana International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to NQZ
Parking near Astana International Airport
The official parking area is located in front of the terminal.
Parking prices are average for the area.
How to get to Astana from NQZ
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Astana International Airport
Leading car rental brands are present with a desk in the arrivals area.
Required are a license, passport, and credit card, as well as an International Driving License in most cases.
Hotels near Astana International Airport
Nurzhol Boulevard and Baiterek
8-14 km from the airport depending on the hotel, 20-25 minutes by taxi (around 2,000 tenge); no train, only city buses or taxis.
Best for: Business and institutional travel, with the city's luxury hotels just steps from the Baiterek Tower and the government district.
- Baiterek, the Astana Opera and the Palace of Independence reachable on foot from the hotels in this zone
- The capital's highest concentration of restaurants and nightspots
- Traffic on Nurzhol Boulevard and Kabanbay Batyr Avenue gets worse during rush hour
- The steppe's harsh winters still make a taxi necessary for evening journeys
Recommended hotels
- The Ritz-Carlton, Astana Occupies the Talan Towers on Dostyk Street, about 300 metres from Nurzhol Boulevard and 600 metres from the Baiterek monument; 157 rooms, the Italian restaurant Mökki and a spa with pool. View availability
- The St. Regis Astana On the banks of the Ishim River, inside Astana Central Park, about 15 minutes by car from Baiterek and the Astana Opera; 120 rooms with the St. Regis butler service. View availability
- Best Western Plus Astana Hotel On Dostyk Street, opposite the House of Ministries and just steps from Nurzhol Boulevard and the Baiterek; a more affordable option than the luxury chains on the same street. View availability
EXPO and Triumphal Arch
9-10 km from the airport, about 15-20 minutes by car; the centre of Nurzhol Boulevard is a further 10 minutes away.
Best for: Those who want to stay closer to the terminal, in a modern district created for Expo 2017, without straying too far from the centre.
- Closer to the airport than Nurzhol Boulevard, useful for early morning departures
- Just steps from the Mega Silk Way shopping centre and the EXPO-2017 sphere
- A district designed for fairs and exhibitions, less lively in the evening than the historic centre
- A taxi is still needed to reach Baiterek and the government district
Recommended hotels
- Hilton Astana Inside the EXPO-2017 complex, with the Mega Silk Way shopping centre next door and the AIFC Business Center 500 metres away; 253 rooms, an eforea spa of almost 1,900 sqm and the Cloud 9 rooftop bar. View availability
- Hampton By Hilton Astana Triumphal Arch On Mangilik El Avenue, 500 metres from the Triumphal Arch and along the main road into the centre; hot breakfast included and gym open 24 hours. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is modern, consistent with the image of a cutting-edge capital that the country seeks to project.
To avoid delays, it is better to arrive 2.5–3 hours in advance for international flights.
Map of Astana International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How cold does it get in Astana in winter?
Very cold: temperatures can drop below -30°C between December and February, making it one of the coldest capitals in the world. Equip yourself with suitable technical clothing.
Q. What is Baiterek Tower?
Astana's symbolic monument, a 97-metre-tall tower with an observation platform offering views over the futuristic city and the golden handprint of Kazakhstan's first president.
Q. How do you get downtown from the airport?
With the new light rail transit (LRT, 200 tenge), buses 10/12 (90 tenge), or by taxi/ride-hailing app (1,300-2,600 tenge).
Q. Are Astana and Nur-Sultan the same city?
Yes: the capital has changed its name several times in recent years (from Astana to Nur-Sultan and back to Astana); the airport keeps the historic name Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
