Flying from Almaty Airport (ALA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is 6 hours 11 minutes. Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, making Istanbul 3 hours behind Almaty.
Flights from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport start at 00:45 — the first with Turkish Airlines. The latest flight is the 22:20 option with Air Astana. Overall, you can choose from 66 weekly services from ALA to IST.
Flying over a peak time such as July? Public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Air Astana is your gateway to exploring Istanbul (and maybe even some other exciting parts of Türkiye (Turkey)!). Check out the direct flights from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport offered by this popular airline.
If you want to break up your flight from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, add a stopover to your trip. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' and find a destination that catches your eye. The most popular stopovers on the ALA - IST route are:
Heydar Aliyev International Airport
Atyrau Airport
Aktau International Airport
To see if you need a visa to enter Türkiye (Turkey), contact your carrier and the local embassy or consulate. They'll have the most current information, including other paperwork you may need after booking your cheap ticket from ALA to IST.
How to find the cheapest flights from Almaty Airport (ALA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is C$177. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$418. Remember that fares could change due to demand at the time of booking.
Get cheap flight tickets from ALA to IST by booking 3 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
November is the cheapest month for flight tickets from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll get in touch right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap flight tickets from ALA to IST every day.
Take advantage of filters to find the best journey for you. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Handy information about Almaty Airport (ALA)
Almaty Airport is approximately 24 kilometres from central Almaty. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the center, it'll take 37 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
After an easy start to your break? Stay near ALA. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Consider booking a hotel near IST if you're on a late flight from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the center driving.
Getting there on public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. August is the most popular month to visit Istanbul. If you want a quieter vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your flights from Almaty Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Search for cheap flight tickets from ALA to IST sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
If you're looking for somewhere to lay your head, you can find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from ALA to IST:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the major attractions to add to your Istanbul must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Galata Tower.
For more choice and flexibility when planning your journey, consider arriving or departing from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). This international airport is another popular option for traveling to and from Istanbul.
Complete your Istanbul trip with hotels and a car rental
We've got more party tricks than just comparing flights. Once you've secured your cheap ticket to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, explore our car rental offers that'll give you the flexibility to travel around at your own pace. Next, take a look at our exclusive rates for hotels to find the perfect Istanbul stay.