You want to know how to go to Shymkent? We tell you the best travel opportunities to go to Shymkent or go from there to Tashkent, Bishkek or Almaty.
By Bus
Bishkek to Shymkent
You have to go to the Western Bus Station (Zapadnyi Avtovokzal) in Bishkek. Inside of the bus station you can buy a ticket. It was around 700 SOM in summer 2022. The bus leaves at 9:30pm and the bus ride takes around 10 hours to Shymkent.
Shymkent to Bishkek
You have to go to the Samal Bus Station in Shymkent. Inside of the bus station you can buy a ticket. It was around 4,500 KZT in summer 2022. The bus leaves at 6:30pm and the 456 kilometer bus ride takes around 10 hours and you will arrive the capital of Kyrgyzstan at around 4:00am in the early morning.
You can also find the current bus ticket price and schedule on the website of Samal Bus station: https://samal.avokzal.kz/route/shymkent-state-7
Tashkent to Shymkent
Shymkent to Tashkent
By Train
The best way to go to Shymkent by train is to take a direct train from one of the major cities in Kazakhstan, such as Almaty or Nur-Sultan (Astana), or from a neighboring country such as Tashkent in Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan’s rail network is extensive and trains are a convenient and affordable way to travel within the country. When searching for trains, you can use the official website of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company of Kazakhstan, to check for schedules and book tickets. It’s a good idea to book tickets in advance, especially during peak travel periods, to ensure a smooth journey to Shymkent.
By Plane
The best way to fly to Shymkent in Kazakhstan is to look for direct flights to Shymkent International Airport (CIT). Some major airlines such as Air Astana, SCAT Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways offer direct flights to Shymkent from major cities in Kazakhstan and surrounding countries. Alternatively, you can fly to Almaty or Nur-Sultan (Astana), both of which are major cities in Kazakhstan, and then take a connecting flight or ground transportation to Shymkent. The choice of the best way to fly to Shymkent depends on factors such as the departure city, travel dates, and budget.
Currently (2023) the following airlines offer direct flights from and to Shymkent:
- Air Astana: Astana, Almaty, Aktau, Atyrau, Dubai (UAE)
- Scat Airlines: Astana, Almaty, Aktau, Istanbul (Turkey), Moscow (Russia), Medina & Jeddah (KSA)
- Qazaq Air: Astana
- Pegasus Airlines: Istanbul (Turkey)
- FlyDubai: Dubai (UAE)