Cheap flights from Istanbul to Shimkent
February brings quieter skies on this connection between Turkey and Kazakhstan. You can reach Shimkent from either Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen, with direct services available through several carriers. The route stays open across October into August, giving you plenty of choice when planning your journey.
Prices found on this route
Lowest fare found per airline in recent searches — click to search that date on kissandfly.com
| Airline | Flight | Rating | Date | Price from | Search |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PegasusPC | direct | ★★★★★ 3.7 | 15 Dec 2026 | from $121 | Search 15 Dec 2026 |
 SCAT JSC AircompanyDV | direct | ★★★★★ 4.1 | 29 Dec 2026 | from $169 | Search 29 Dec 2026 |
 Azerbaijan AirlinesJ2 | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.3 | 23 Dec 2026 | from $172 | Search 23 Dec 2026 |
 Air AstanaKC | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 18 Dec 2026 | from $253 | Search 18 Dec 2026 |
 Turkish AirlinesTK | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 29 Dec 2026 | from $497 | Search 29 Dec 2026 |
 Qanot SharqHH | with a stop | — | 22 Nov 2026 | from $685 | Search 22 Nov 2026 |
 Qatar AirwaysQR | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 16 Dec 2026 | from $696 | Search 16 Dec 2026 |
 Fly DubaiFZ | with a stop | ★★★★★ 3.6 | 16 Dec 2026 | from $826 | Search 16 Dec 2026 |
 EmiratesEK | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 24 Dec 2026 | from $1,114 | Search 24 Dec 2026 |
 EgyptairMS | with a stop | ★★★★★ 3.9 | 8 Feb 2027 | from $1,227 | Search 8 Feb 2027 |
Source: fares found by Tickets Travel Network search engines, snapshot of 3 November 2026. Prices are converted to USD at an approximate rate; the exact price is shown on the booking site.
Price by month
Lowest fare found for each month in recent searches. Cheapest month: February — from $116.
| Month | Price from | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | from $152 | 27 Nov 2026 | |
| December 2026 | from $121 | 15 Dec 2026 | |
| January 2027 | from $184 | 7 Jan 2027 | |
| February 2027 | from $116 | 7 Feb 2027 | |
| March 2027 | from $117 | 14 Mar 2027 | |
| April 2027 | from $136 | 24 Apr 2027 | |
| May 2027 | from $137 | 18 May 2027 | |
| June 2027 | from $377 | 26 Jun 2027 | |
| July 2027 | from $370 | 6 Jul 2027 | |
| August 2027 | from $367 | 19 Aug 2027 | |
| October 2027 | from $198 | 20 Oct 2027 |
Airports on this route
Distances are straight-line from the city centre
| City | Airport | To centre |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | Istanbul Airport IST | 33 km |
| Istanbul | Sabiha Gokcen SAW | 33 km |
| Shimkent | Shimkent CIT | 12 km |
Route on the map
When to fly
Booking three to four months ahead usually secures better availability on this seasonal corridor. February remains the quietest period for travel, while summer months see higher demand from holiday makers and business travellers alike. Midweek departures often cost less than weekend flights, and you should compare dated fares before committing to any booking.
Airlines and what to expect
Low-cost carriers like Pegasus and FlyArystan charge separately for checked baggage and seat selection. Full-service options such as Turkish Airlines and Emirates include meals and luggage in standard fares. SCAT JSC Aircompany connects through domestic networks, while Azerbaijan Airlines offers intermediate routing via Baku. Qatar Airways and Fly Dubai provide longer connections that may suit flexible schedules.
Arriving — Shimkent
Shimkent Airport handles regional traffic with straightforward transfers to the city centre. The terminal is compact enough that you can find ground transport without long waits. Taxis and shuttle services operate regularly throughout the day, though you should confirm availability during late arrivals. Public buses run on fixed routes connecting major districts.
Before you go: Kazakhstan
- Currency
- KZT (₸)
- Power sockets
- Type C, F · 220 V
- Language
- Kazakh, Russian
- Emergency number
- 112, 101, 102
- Driving side
- right
- Calling code
- +7
- Internet domain
- .kz, .қаз
- Population of Shimkent
- 1.2 M (2023)
- Time zone
- UTC+05 (Asia/Almaty)
Country facts: Wikidata
Check before you book
- Verify your passport validity meets entry requirements for Kazakhstan before departure.
- Check whether your airline includes checked baggage in the fare you selected.
- Confirm airport of departure since Istanbul offers two separate terminals.
- Review connection details if booking separate tickets with different carriers.
- Consider seasonal weather conditions when packing for your destination.
Frequently asked questions
Istanbul – Shimkent: when is it cheapest to fly?
The lowest price in recent searches was found for February 2027 — $116. Prices change daily; check the live price in the search.
Istanbul – Shimkent: which airlines fly this route?
Airlines with offers on this route: Pegasus, SCAT JSC Aircompany, Azerbaijan Airlines, Air Astana, Turkish Airlines, Qanot Sharq, Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Emirates, Egyptair.
Istanbul – Shimkent: are there direct flights?
Yes, direct flights were available in recent searches.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Shimkent?
The distance is about 3,348 km, so a non-stop flight takes roughly 4 h 32 min. Direct flights were found in recent searches.
Which airports serve Istanbul – Shimkent?
Istanbul: Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen (SAW). Shimkent: Shimkent (CIT).
What is the time difference between Istanbul and Shimkent?
Shimkent is 2 h ahead of Istanbul.