# Almaty International Airport (ALA)

> Almaty, KZ · ≈15 km (≈9 mi) northeast of central Almaty

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/ala
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/ala.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: ALA
- **ICAO**: UAAA
- **Timezone**: Asia/Almaty
- **Runways**: 2
- **Terminals**: 2
- **Passengers**: ≈12M/yr
- **Hub for**: Air Astana, FlyArystan, SCAT Airlines
- **Official site**: https://alaport.com

## Overview

## Welcome

Almaty International Airport (ALA) is the go-to hub for navigating Kazakhstan efficiently—with the right know-how, that is. Located approximately 15 km northeast of central Almaty, this ex-Soviet style airport serves around 12 million passengers annually. While compact, its challenges include long immigration queues, cash-only traps, and daunting taxi scams. However, savvy travelers love its proximity to the city, affordable public transit options, and hidden cafeteria-style dining gems.

## At a glance

ALA operates two terminals and two runways, serving as a hub for Air Astana, FlyArystan, and SCAT Airlines. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights, while Terminal 2 is dedicated to international passengers. You'll find yourself amidst a fairly limited selection of dining and shopping options but with quick access to Almaty itself.

## Terminals & layout

Terminal 1, the domestic terminal, is home to airline services such as SCAT Airlines and local snack bars like Coffee Boom and Beer Point Bar. Terminal 2 caters to international travelers with staples like ATU Duty Free and a Pizzeria. While terminal facilities are basic, the proximity of all amenities makes navigation easy if you know where you’re going. The terminals rarely dazzle with shopping or dining, yet they serve their functional purposes for transiting travelers.

## Getting to and from the city

Almaty’s city center is about a 9-mile journey from the airport. If budget's on your mind, city buses such as routes 79, 86, and 92 offer low-cost rides for 150 KZT cash or 80 KZT with an Onay card, but they cease operations late at night. Taxis typically charge around 4,000 KZT, though exact fares can vary between 3,000 and 5,000 KZT. For app-based travel, consider Yandex Go, offering fares in the 2,500–3,000 KZT range. Rental cars or pre-booked transfers will cost more, with private transfers sometimes reaching up to $100 for city-to-city services.

## Traveller essentials

For Wi-Fi, individuals often find airport connections patchy; buying a local SIM post-customs is a recommended alternative. The airport experiences regular congestion at immigration, where processing can take 30-40 minutes. Arrivals greeted by taxi touts should be wary; the official stand outside offers a more predictable ride. The ATM rates fare poorly compared to the city, justifying limited withdrawals on arrival.

## Dining & shopping highlights

Choices for dining are straightforward. Head landside in T1 for an affordable meal at the Stolovaya cafeteria, suggested for no-frills Kazakh meals at city prices. For shoppers, Terminal 2 features ATU Duty Free and several telecom outlets like Beeline Store and Kcell Activ Telecom. Stores like I Love Kazakhstan Souvenir Shop offer unique keepsakes should you need a last-minute gift.

## Lounges

Travelers will find peace in ALA’s lounges: the VIP Lounge offers packages starting at 35,000 KZT for domestic and 80,000 KZT for international travelers. Facilities such as the charter and crew lounges don’t highlight in on-the-ground marketing but are hidden gems for frequent flyers.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** For cheap city transfers, city buses 79, 86, 92, and 106 outside arrivals offer fares that are a fraction of taxi costs. Make sure to have small cash or a local transport card handy.

- **Avoid:** Ignore aggressive taxi touts in arrivals; instead, head for the official stand outside for more reasonable rates.

- **Time:** During busy times, immigration for non-Kazakh passports can take up to 40 minutes. Walk quickly to border control upon disembarking to avoid longer waits.

- **Local:** The landside Stolovaya in T1 offers proper meals at city prices, ideal for those unfazed by the basic environment.

- **Quiet:** Locate the far ends of T2 near remote gates for calmer seating and more available power outlets.

- **Money:** Withdraw minimal cash from airport ATMs and use city ATMs for better rates and lower fees.

- **Quiet:** Use the site's prayer room for a calming spot to recharge away from the bustling terminals.

## Terminals (2)

- **Terminal 1 (Domestic Terminal)** — SCAT Airlines
  This terminal primarily serves domestic flights.
- **Terminal 2 (International Terminal)** — Air Astana, FlyArystan
  This terminal is dedicated to international flights.

## Dining (18)

- **Advertising & Commercial Services** — T1 · Local · Advertising
- **Airlines** — T1 · Local · Services
- **Beer Point Bar** — T1 · $$
- **Burger King** — T1 · $$
- **Canteen Stolovaya** — $
- **Cargo** — T1 · Local · Logistics
- **Coffee Boom** — T1 · $$
- **Information about the Subject of Natural Monopolies** — T1 · Local · Information
- **Latte Coffee**
- **Manuals & Procedures** — T1 · Local · Documentation
- **Noise Insulation Program** — T1 · Local · Services
- **Pizzeria**
- **Public Notices & Tariff Information** — T1 · Local · Information
- **S1 Coffee**
- **Shanyrak Cafe**
- **Snack Bar Express**
- **Street Food Corner**
- **The Aviation Training Center (ATC)** — T1 · Local · Training

## Lounges (6)

- **Business Lounge** — International departures, airline status
- **Charter Lounge** — Departures, charter passengers
- **CIP Lounge** — Departures, invitation only
- **Crew Lounge** — Staff only
- **Domestic Business Lounge** — Domestic departures, airline status · 35,000 KZT domestic VIP package (not a simple lounge walk‑in)
- **VIP Lounge** — Departures, paid access · from 35,000 KZT domestic / 80,000 KZT international (VIP package pricing)

## Shops (28)

- **Argymaq Store** — T2 · Souvenirs
- **ATU Duty Free** — T2 · Duty Free
- **Beeline Store** — T2 · Electronics
- **Bookshop Relay**
- **Boss** — T2 · Fashion
- **Duty Free Kazakh Brand**
- **Electronics Mini Shop**
- **Europharma** — T1 · Travel Essentials
- **Fashion Accessories Stand**
- **I Love Kazakhstan Souvenir Shop** — T2 · Souvenirs
- **Jewelry Corner**
- **Kcell Activ Telecom** — T2 · Electronics
- **Kids Toys Shop**
- **Local Crafts Boutique**
- **Mini Market Food Stop**
- **Mobile Accessories Kiosk**
- **Newsstand Press Shop**
- **Nurai&Co Ticket Office** — T2 · Travel Services
- **Outdoor Gear Shop**
- **Perfume and Cosmetics Corner**
- **Pharmacy Europharma Extra**
- **Relay Store** — T2 · Travel Essentials
- **Swarovski** — T2 · Fashion
- **Tele 2 Telecom** — T2 · Electronics
- **Travel Essentials Kiosk**
- **Tumi** — T2 · Fashion
- **Turkish Airlines Ticket Office** — T2 · Travel Services
- **Watch Shop**

## Parking (6)

- **Economy Parking Lot** — Budget
- **Hotel Parking Area** — Nearby hotel
- **Long Term Parking P2** — Long stay
- **Short Term Parking P1** — Short stay
- **Staff Parking Area** — Employee
- **VIP Parking Zone** — Premium

## Ground transport (11)

- **Airport Bus** — Bus · $0.17–0.34 (80–150 KZT) for day city buses; ~200 KZT reported for night airport bus[1][4] · Main airport city buses roughly every 10–20 min in daytime (per city norms, not timetable‑verified); night bus reported every 20–30 min but irregular[1][2][4]
- **Bus 106** — City bus · .no specific time data for Bus 106, null for time, cost and frequency. · .no specific cost data for Bus 106 was mentioned, making cost, time and frequency fields null for this entity. · .no frequency information for Bus 106, null for frequency, cost and time.
- **Bus 79** — City bus · .no specific time data for Bus 79, null for time, cost and frequency. · .no specific cost data was found for Bus 79, and information indicates a lack of specific routing info, suggesting null for cost, time and frequency for this entity. · .no frequency info was found for Bus 79, null for frequency, cost and time.
- **Bus 86** — City bus · .no specific time data for Bus 86, null for time, cost and frequency. · .no specific cost data was found for Bus 86, null for cost, time and frequency. · .no frequency information for Bus 86, null for frequency, cost and time.
- **Bus 92** — City bus · Approximately 45 min from airport to central Almaty by bus 92 in normal traffic[1] · 150 KZT cash; 80 KZT with Onay card (around $0.17–0.34)[1] · Described as regular daytime service; exact headway not published in English but Reddit and local timing apps imply roughly every 10–20 min in the day[1][2]
- **Hotel Shuttle Minibus** — Hotel transfer · .no specific time estimates for hotel shuttles. · .no specific costs were cited for hotel shuttles, making cost, time and frequency all null. · .no frequency information for hotel shuttles.
- **InDriver** — Ride‑hailing · Similar driving time to Yandex or taxis: roughly 30 min airport–city, but there is no fixed published figure specifically for Indriver.[1][5] · .no specific cost due to bidding nature, null for cost, time and frequency. · Functionally 24/7 as a ride‑hailing marketplace, but exact driver availability at ALA is not quantified in sources.[5][8]
- **Intercity Taxi to Talgar** — Regional taxi · .no specific times stated for intercity taxi, null for time, cost and frequency. · .no specific costs were stated for this type of transfer, null for cost, time and frequency. · .no frequency given, non-applicable to such transfers, null for frequency, cost and time.
- **Private Airport Transfer** — Pre‑booked car · Up to about $100 per car for an Almaty–Bishkek private transfer, according to local recommendations; city‑only private transfers are not price‑documented.[7] · On‑request, pre‑booked; availability depends on agencies and individual drivers rather than scheduled service.[5][7]
- **Almaty Airport Taxi** — Taxi · 5 min · About 4000 KZT (~$8–9) to city centre by regular taxi; locals cite 3000–5000 KZT as normal range[1][4][5] · On‑demand; taxis and taxi touts are present at all arrival hours, including late night and early morning[3][4][5]
- **Yandex Go** — Ride‑hailing · App‑taxi rides from the airport to central Almaty take about 30 min in usual traffic, in line with general taxi timing.[1] · Locals quote typical airport–city fares around 2500–3000 KZT via apps, similar to or slightly below street taxis at 3000–5000 KZT[4][5] · On‑demand with high availability; locals explicitly recommend it even at 1:00 a.m., indicating 24/7 practical availability.[5]

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: For cheap city transfers, city buses 79, 86, 92, and 106 outside arrivals offer fares that are a fraction of taxi costs. Make sure to have small cash or a local transport card handy.
- _Avoid_: Ignore aggressive taxi touts in arrivals; instead, head for the official stand outside for more reasonable rates.
- _Time_: During busy times, immigration for non-Kazakh passports can take up to 40 minutes. Walk quickly to border control upon disembarking to avoid longer waits.
- _Local_: The landside Stolovaya in T1 offers proper meals at city prices, ideal for those unfazed by the basic environment.
- _Quiet_: Locate the far ends of T2 near remote gates for calmer seating and more available power outlets.
- _Money_: Withdraw minimal cash from airport ATMs and use city ATMs for better rates and lower fees.
- _Quiet_: Use the site's prayer room for a calming spot to recharge away from the bustling terminals.