1Kok Tobe Hill + cable car
Cable car (KZT 2,000) to 1,100m hilltop park + Soviet-era TV tower + Beatles statue + Almaty city panorama with Tian Shan mountains backdrop.
Photo: Nikolai Bulykin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Almaty International Airport (ALA) · Kazakhstan
24-Hour Layover in Almaty: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 24-hour layover in Almaty?
Entry
Kazakhstan visa-free for most Western, EU, US, UK, Canada, Japan, Korea passports up to 30 days (with airport stamp). 90-day stay options. Russian Federation passport holders need entry permit.
Into town
Bus 92 (to centre): 45–60 min, KZT 200 (€0.40).
Time outside
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Times from ALA arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Almaty: Where to Go
The sights in Almaty worth leaving the airport for.
1landmark
Medeu skating rink + Shymbulak ski resort
Medeu is the world's highest outdoor skating rink (1,691m), year-round skating in winter. Cable car continues to Shymbulak ski resort (Dec-Apr).
3Panfilov Park + Ascension Cathedral
WWII memorial park + 1907 wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral (one of the world's tallest wooden buildings without nails). Free.
Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
market
Green Bazaar
Almaty's historic market — try horse meat (kazy) + dried fruits + nuts + Central Asian spices. Lively + authentic. KZT 0 entry.
Itinerary ideas for Almaty
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
24 hours
You are here24 hours in Almaty
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Insider tip
ALA is 15km from centre — Yandex Go (Russia's Uber) is the standard taxi app (KZT 3,500-5,500 for tourists, much cheaper than official airport taxis). Cash is widely accepted but card payment increasingly common. ATMs at airport dispense tenge.
Into Almaty
Getting to Almaty City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus 92 (to centre) | KZT 200 (€0.40) | 45–60 min |
| Taxi (Yandex Go) | KZT 3,500–5,500 (€7–11) | 20–35 min |
| Taxi (official airport rank) | KZT 6,000–10,000 (€12–20) | 20–35 min |
Eat like a local
Eat Like a Local in Almaty
Beshbarmak (horse meat + dough) at any traditional restaurant. Shashlyk (kebab) at Saksaul. Plov at Daniyar. Lunch KZT 3,000-6,000 (€6-12).
24 hours in Almaty
24-Hour Itinerary
1
Day 1 — Arrival
Into Almaty and check in to your hotel
Take Bus 92 (to centre) (45–60 min, KZT 200 (€0.40)). Most hotels hold bags before check-in.
2
Day 1 — Afternoon
Kok Tobe Hill + cable car
Cable car (KZT 2,000) to 1,100m hilltop park + Soviet-era TV tower + Beatles statue + Almaty city panorama with Tian Shan mountains backdrop.
3
Day 1 — Evening
Dinner like a local
Beshbarmak (horse meat + dough) at any traditional restaurant. Shashlyk (kebab) at Saksaul. Plov at Daniyar. Lunch KZT 3,000-6,000 (€6-12).
4
Day 2 — Morning
Medeu skating rink + Shymbulak ski resort
Medeu is the world's highest outdoor skating rink (1,691m), year-round skating in winter. Cable car continues to Shymbulak ski resort (Dec-Apr).
5
Day 2 — Late morning
Panfilov Park + Ascension Cathedral
WWII memorial park + 1907 wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral (one of the world's tallest wooden buildings without nails). Free.
6
Day 2 — Departure
Back to Almaty International Airport
Head back to Almaty International Airport by Bus 92 (to centre) (45–60 min, KZT 200 (€0.40)). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 24-hour layover in Almaty?
Kazakhstan visa-free for most Western, EU, US, UK, Canada, Japan, Korea passports up to 30 days (with airport stamp). 90-day stay options. Russian Federation passport holders need entry permit. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 24 hours enough to leave Almaty International Airport?
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip. Getting into Almaty by Bus 92 (to centre) takes 45–60 min each way.
How do I get from Almaty International Airport to Almaty centre?
Bus 92 (to centre): 45–60 min, KZT 200 (€0.40). Taxi (Yandex Go): 20–35 min, KZT 3,500–5,500 (€7–11). Taxi (official airport rank): 20–35 min, KZT 6,000–10,000 (€12–20).
Getting out of Almaty International Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Almaty
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Almaty and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse Almaty
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Almaty Airport
With 24 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Almaty
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Search hotels
Also useful for your Almaty trip
Airlines that fly to Almaty
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from ALA.
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Airport lounges at Almaty Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Almaty travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Almaty works
01
Check you can leave
Kazakhstan visa-free for most Western, EU, US, UK, Canada, Japan, Korea passports up to 30 days (with airport stamp). 90-day stay options. Russian Federation passport holders need entry permit.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Almaty International Airport by Bus 92 (to centre) (45–60 min, KZT 200 (€0.40)). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Ready for Almaty?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight on the ground
Daylight in Almaty runs from about 8.8 hours in Dec to 15.2 in Jun. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.