Cheap flights from London to Aktau

September is the cheapest month for this route in the data, and fares are tracked from September through March, so that whole stretch is worth comparing before you commit. The weeks around New Year and the spring holidays in Kazakhstan are the ones to watch, since demand lifts fares then. Midweek departures are usually lighter than Friday and Sunday flights, and the same applies to the return leg. If your dates can move, shift them by a day or so and compare the totals again.

There are no direct flights between London and Aktau, so every itinerary connects somewhere, usually through a hub in Turkey, the Gulf or Central Asia. Pegasus is the low-cost name on the list, which means the fare covers the seat and little else. Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Azerbaijan Airlines, Air Astana, British Airways, Uzbekistan Airways, Condor and German Airways are full-service carriers, where a checked bag and a meal are more likely to be part of the ticket. Qanot Sharq also flies the route. Fares for the same journey differ a lot depending on what is bundled, so compare the total with bags and seats added rather than the headline figure.

Aktau is served by a single airport, so there is no second terminal to choose between when you land. It lies outside the city itself, and a taxi or a pre-booked transfer is the usual way in, so sort your ride before you land rather than at the kerb. Agree the fare or check that the meter is running before you set off, and keep the address of your hotel written down. If your itinerary lands late at night, confirm that someone will be at reception when you arrive. Give yourself room at the end of the trip in case a connection runs long, and keep your onward plans flexible on the day you land.

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 Aktau

183 k (2017)

Time zone

UTC+05 (Asia/Aqtau)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check which London airport your fare actually leaves from, since Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City are all in play.
• Every itinerary on this route connects, so compare total journey time and not just the fare.
• If the legs are booked on separate tickets, leave generous time between flights and check whether your bags are through-checked.
• Low-cost fares often exclude a checked bag and seat selection, so add those to the total before you decide.
• Check passport validity and the visa rules for Kazakhstan well before departure.
• September is the cheapest month here, so weigh it against the rest of the September to March window.