Overview
Alma-ata — now usually spelled Almaty — is Kazakhstan's largest city and cultural heart, set against the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains in the country's south-east. The former Soviet-era capital is where most UK travellers begin: leafy boulevards, a lively café scene, apple orchards (the name means "father of apples") and ski slopes barely half an hour from downtown. It works well as a city break and as the launch pad for Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai Lakes. Compare live fares on the price charts on this page before you book.
Best time to fly to Alma-ata
Almaty has a sharp continental climate. Summers (June to August) are hot and dry, often in the low 30s°C, and good for mountain hiking. Winters (December to February) are cold and snowy — ideal for skiing at Shymbulak and skating at Medeu. For sightseeing in mild weather, the shoulder seasons of April–May and September–October are the sweet spot, with blossom in spring and golden foliage in autumn. Fares generally ease outside the summer and New Year peaks; the When to book chart above shows how prices shift through the year.
Airlines and routes
Air Astana, the Kazakh flag carrier, flies direct from London Heathrow to Almaty several times a week, taking around seven and a half hours eastbound (a little longer on the way home). From Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other UK airports you will usually connect once — Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Lufthansa via Frankfurt, KLM via Amsterdam, or flydubai and Emirates via Dubai. With the stop, expect a total journey of roughly 10 to 13 hours. Qatar Airways via Doha and Pegasus via Istanbul are also worth checking when you search for cheap flights to Alma-ata.
Things to do in Alma-ata
Almaty rewards a few unhurried days, mixing city strolling with easy mountain escapes:
- Kok-Tobe: ride the cable car up this wooded hill for sweeping views over city and mountains.
- Medeu and Shymbulak: a high-altitude skating rink and ski resort just outside town, linked by a scenic gondola.
- Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral: a colourful timber Orthodox cathedral built without nails, set among tall trees.
- Green Bazaar: the buzzing central market for dried fruit, spices, cheeses and people-watching.
- Big Almaty Lake: a vivid turquoise alpine lake about an hour away by car, high in the Tian Shan.
At Almaty International Airport (ALA)
The airport is about 15 km north of the centre, usually a 20 to 30 minute drive, with a new international terminal opened in 2024. Ride-hailing apps such as Yandex Go and inDrive are the cheapest way into town; if you prefer a rank, agree the fare at the official taxi desk first. City buses (routes 79 and 92) reach the centre cheaply but have little luggage room. There is no rail link.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Alma-ata
- Book around two to four months ahead for the widest choice; last-minute fares to Kazakhstan are rarely cheap.
- Fly midweek and avoid July, August and the New Year period, when demand and prices peak.
- Keep your dates flexible and use the price charts on this page to find the cheapest departure days.
- Compare the direct Air Astana flight with one-stop fares on Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa and KLM — a connection is often noticeably cheaper.
Travel essentials
British passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days; your passport should be valid for the length of your trip. Entry through Almaty airport is simple and migration registration is handled automatically at the border. The currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT); cards are widely accepted in the city and ATMs are common, though carry some cash for markets and rural trips. No vaccinations are required for most travellers — check current NHS TravelHealthPro advice — and drink bottled or filtered water. Kazakhstan uses a single time zone, four to five hours ahead of the UK.
