Cheap flights from Manchester to Astana

November is the cheapest month on this route, and it sits in a run of lower fares that starts in September and carries through October. Fares stay keen into December and January, then come back into the picture in March. Astana is a deep-winter city, so a November or March trip means serious cold; if you want milder walking weather, aim for late spring or early autumn. Midweek departures from Manchester are usually quieter and easier to price than weekend ones. Watch UK school holidays and Kazakhstan's spring holidays, when demand rises at both ends. Book a few weeks ahead for winter travel, and earlier if you are tied to holiday dates.

Pegasus, Easyjet, Jet2 and Sun Express are the low-cost names on this route, and their fares usually cover the seat and a small cabin bag; add checked luggage and seat choice as you go through booking. Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, Emirates, Scandinavian Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are the full-service options, and their fares generally bundle a checked bag and a meal. Direct service exists on the route, though not every airline sells it, so check whether your ticket is non-stop or a connection before you compare prices. A cheaper connecting fare can mean a long layover, and separate tickets mean you carry your own bags between flights.

You land at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, the main gateway to Astana and the capital region of Kazakhstan. It sits outside the city, a short drive from the centre in light traffic and a longer one at rush hour. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the simple way in; use the official rank rather than a driver who approaches you in the terminal, and agree the fare first. Buses also run to the city, but they are slower and thin out late at night. Astana is a spread-out city and the seasons swing hard, so a winter arrival means icy roads and a slower transfer. Change a little local currency at the airport if your card gives trouble at the machines.

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 Astana

1.1 M (2019)

Time zone

UTC+05 (Asia/Almaty)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check whether your ticket is a non-stop flight or a connection, since both are sold on this route.
• Look at what the low-cost fare includes before you add bags, because the headline price covers little.
• If you book legs on separate tickets, leave time between them and plan to collect and re-check your bags.
• Confirm your passport and visa position for Kazakhstan well before departure, and check the rules for any country you transit.
• Fly in November for the lowest fares, or in March if you want a little more daylight.
• Manchester International is the only airport you need here, so there is no wrong-airport risk at the UK end.