Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to Kazakhstan

Direct flight routes to Kazakhstan

Non-stop flights to Kazakhstan from Europe are limited to few routes operated by Air Astana and Lufthansa.

• Frankfurt – Almaty: Air Astana, 6h 45m


• Frankfurt – Astana: Lufthansa, 6h 20m


• Amsterdam – Atyrau: Air Astana, 6h 15m


• London – Astana: Air Astana, 7h 00m

Layover/stopover options

Istanbul (IST): Turkish Airlines hub offering multiple daily connections to Almaty and Astana. Average connection time 2-3 hours. Free city tour available for longer layovers.

Moscow (SVO): Aeroflot’s main hub with frequent Kazakhstan connections. Typical layover 3-4 hours. Requires transit visa for some nationalities.

Dubai (DXB): FlyDubai and Air Astana operate regular flights to Kazakhstan. Minimum connection time 3 hours. Excellent shopping and lounges during layover.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command a premium of 20-30% over connecting flights. Low-cost connecting options through Istanbul or Dubai often offer the best value, especially when booked in advance.

Tips and recommendations

• Book Air Astana direct flights 3-4 months ahead for best rates and availability


• Consider overnight layovers in Istanbul to explore the city with free Turkish Airlines accommodation


• Avoid Moscow connections during winter months due to frequent weather delays


• Compare prices across different arrival cities in Kazakhstan – sometimes flying to Astana is cheaper than Almaty or vice versa


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures often offer lower fares on most routes

• Turkish Airlines via Istanbul offers the best value-to-comfort ratio for Kazakhstan routes, with fares typically 15-20% below market average. Their A330-300 aircraft feature 31-inch pitch in economy and free stopovers in Istanbul. Connections are available to both Almaty and Nur-Sultan with convenient 2-3 hour layovers.
• Consider LOT Polish Airlines’ direct Warsaw-Astana route, operating three times weekly on Boeing 737-8 aircraft. While base fares are slightly higher than Turkish Airlines, the total journey time is reduced by 4-5 hours, and LOT frequently offers promotional fares for Tuesday and Wednesday departures.
• Air Astana’s Frankfurt-Almaty service provides the most comfortable option with their new A321LR aircraft featuring 18-inch wide economy seats. The airline regularly offers “Early Bird” promotions with up to 25% discount when booking 3 months in advance.
• Flying via Dubai on FlyDubai can yield savings of up to 30% compared to direct routes, particularly from southern European cities. Their Boeing 737 MAX aircraft offer decent comfort with 30-inch pitch, and the airline maintains frequent connections to both major Kazakh cities.
• For travelers from Western Europe, combining Lufthansa to Tashkent with Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines can provide significant savings. This routing works particularly well for reaching Shymkent and other southern Kazakhstan destinations, with total fares often 25% below direct options.

1. Ignoring alternative routing options Many travelers only look at direct flights to Almaty or Astana (Nur-Sultan), missing cheaper connections through Istanbul, Moscow, or Dubai that could save hundreds of euros.
2. Booking during peak season without planning ahead Flights to Kazakhstan during summer months (June-August) and national holidays can be twice as expensive, yet many travelers fail to book at least 3-4 months in advance for these periods.
3. Not checking visa requirements before flight booking While Kazakhstan offers visa-free entry for many European nationalities, some still need visas, and not verifying this before booking can result in costly flight changes or cancellations.
4. Choosing wrong arrival airport Landing in Almaty when your final destination is closer to Astana (or vice versa) can add unnecessary domestic travel time and costs, as these cities are over 1,000 kilometers apart.
5. Overlooking connection times in hub airports Transit times in major connecting hubs like Istanbul or Moscow can be lengthy, and booking too-tight connections can result in missed flights due to frequent delays and long security checks.

Air Astana

Best for: Direct flights from major European cities with authentic Kazakh hospitality.

Kazakhstan’s flag carrier operates from 8 European airports, with main routes from Frankfurt, London, and Paris. Offers generous 30″ seat pitch in Economy, complimentary hot meals with Kazakh and international options, and personal IFE screens on most aircraft. Consistently rated 4/5 by passengers for punctuality and service quality. Most efficient option with direct flights taking 6-7 hours.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Extensive connection options through Istanbul with superior catering.

Serves Kazakhstan from 15 European cities, primarily via Istanbul, with Paris, London, and Frankfurt being major departure points. Award-winning cuisine even in Economy, comfortable 31-32″ seat pitch, and excellent entertainment options. Average layover in Istanbul is 3-4 hours. Passengers rate overall experience 4.5/5, particularly highlighting meal quality and staff service.

Lufthansa

Best for: Reliable schedules and seamless connections through Frankfurt hub.

Operates from 12 European cities to Kazakhstan, mainly through Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna connections. Standard 31″ seat pitch in Economy, consistent service quality, and good entertainment selection. Typical connection times of 2-3 hours in Frankfurt. Receives 4/5 passenger rating for punctuality and overall efficiency.

Aeroflot

Best for: Most competitive prices with good Moscow connections.

Connects 10 European airports to Kazakhstan via Moscow, with main routes from Paris, Berlin, and Rome. Offers decent 30-31″ seat pitch, basic but satisfactory meals, and modern aircraft fleet. Average connection time in Moscow is 3 hours. Passengers rate 3.8/5, noting good value for money despite sometimes longer connection times.

Smart routing through APAC hubs

Leveraging regional Asian carriers can significantly reduce costs when flying to Kazakhstan from Europe, often saving 30-40% compared to direct routes. The key is breaking your journey into strategic segments.

Main money-saving tactics

1. Book separate tickets – Purchase one ticket to major Asian hubs like Bangkok or Seoul, then connect via regional carriers like Air Astana or SCAT Airlines
2. Consider secondary hubs – Airports like Novosibirsk or Urumqi often offer cheaper connections to Kazakhstan than primary hubs
3. Mix low-cost carriers – Use airlines like AirAsia or Scoot for the Asian segment, connecting to Kazakhstan via their partner networks

Important considerations

When booking separate tickets, allow at least 4 hours between flights for connections and baggage transfer. Remember that some regional carriers have strict baggage policies and may not offer through-checking of luggage. For best results, book the Asian segment 2-3 months in advance when regional carriers typically release their lowest fares.

This strategy works particularly well during peak European travel seasons when direct flights to Kazakhstan surge in price.